Page 60 of The Ranger
I like Trey.
Ryder put a number of the guys through the paces when he married the movie star and had to step away from being her bodyguard.I imagine Trey still puts up with a thousand questions from her protective husband.
Josh isn’t any better with Cassy, but Savannah’s fame does come with a lot more risks.Even if Cassy’s father is Blaze from Sonic Rebel, the rock band.
“You can come in,” I say, indicating the living room full of women.
“Ah.”Trey rubs his jaw uncomfortably.“I’m okay out here.”
I chuckle.
Then another car pulls up, and I stiffen.Cole’s mom and sister fuss around, getting plates of food and large gifts out of the trunk and back seat.
They didn’t need to do all that.
Cassy and Cole paid for absolutely everything today, which I’m so grateful for.I didn’t know until yesterday that he’d contributed, and while I almost rang to tell him to stop butting his nose in everywhere, I’m tired.
It's been a couple of days since I’ve seen or heard from him, and I hate to admit it, but I miss him.This—this!—is what I’ve been trying to avoid.
“Hello, sweetie,” Cole’s mom, Maggie, says, rubbing my arm.
“Hey, Scar,” Caylee says.I can’t tell her not to call me that because a) I like her, and b) she’s my kids’ aunt and Cole’s sister, so I welcome them inside and thank them for coming.
“I’m so happy you invited us,” Maggie says.“Wow, look at all this.”She glances around at the green-themed baby shower.“You really are keeping the gender a secret until the very last minute.”
“We don’t know.Honest.I’m crap at keeping secrets, so would’ve spilled it by now.”I laugh and let Cassy take over guiding them where to put the gifts.
Trina is handing out drinks and gathering everyone in the living area, explaining what the day will hold.Everyone is asking about her upcoming nuptials next weekend.
I wonder if I could go lie down and let everyone enjoy themselves while I nap.I wish Cole were here, curled up on the sofa with me, yelling at the screen.
I close the door and, for the third time in so many days, catch sight of a white van sitting on the road.I’ve clearly been watching too many true crime documentaries, but it does seem weird.My road is not super quiet, but it’s not a main road, either.It could be someone moving house or having repairs.
“You okay?”Trey asks.
“Yeah, just...”I blink at him.“See that van?”
“You worried about it?”
“It’s been hanging around, and for me to notice it, I guess it’s just strange.”
“Have you told Cole?”
I shake my head.
“Okay.”Trey, who doesn’t look like a bodyguard in a pair of black jeans, running shoes, discreet BHS polo and dark sunglasses, calmly wanders down the path and takes a snap.
Fifteen seconds later, the van drives off.
Trey stares down at his phone and types something then walks back to me.“We’ll trace it.Go have fun.Nothing is going to happen while I’m here.”
He pulls out his weapon, checks the cartridge and puts it back.
“Is Cole coming?”
“Does he have a vagina?”I shrug.
Trey smirks slowly.“Maybe.But I figure by the size of your belly, probably not.”
