Page 29 of Skid
“Gotta wonder why you’re all so eager to get rid of me.” I crossed my arms. “What are you telling her over here?”
“Just enlightening her a little.”
“That’s right,” Tallie, Seven’s ol lady, giggled. “She needs to know what she’s getting into.”
“That’s it.” I stood and crossed my arms. “Grab your stuff. We’re gettin’ out of here.”
“Not a chance,” Laken argued. “We were just getting to the good stuff.”
“Yeah, you better watch it, or we’ll tell her all your dirty secrets.”
“Is that right?” I scoffed. “You say it like I don’t know secrets about each of you.”
“Yeah, but we know where you sleep,” Jenna sassed. “And we have glitter, and lots of it.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, but we would.”
“Alright, I’m out.”
Laughter erupted from the group, and even Laken snorted, trying to hide it behind her hand. Once the laughter died down, Laken stood and stepped over to me. “You didn’t have to check on me.”
“Yeah, I did.”
I dipped down just enough to press a kiss to her forehead, slow and warm, and she melted into me. I slipped my arm around her waist as I whispered, “Seeing you happy made my whole damn day.”
Laken looked up at me with emotion in her eyes, and it was all I could do to keep from kissing her again. The silence lasted exactly one second before Antonia threw her hands up in the air and groaned, “Oh, for the love of pecan pie!”
“Yeah, we’re done here,” Jenna giggled, fanning herself. “The sweetness level has gotten out of hand over here. I’m gonna need some fudge. STAT.”
Laken buried her face in her hands, and I laughed, tipping her chin up with my knuckle. “You’re awfully cute when you get embarrassed.”
“I think it’s time you got back to your pie.”
“Okay, but just give me a shout if you need me.” I gave the group a quick salute. “You girls try to behave.”
“Not a chance,” Antonia giggled.
Laken laughed.
And damn if that sound alone didn’t beat any pie I’d ever had.
I went back over to the boys, and after we finished off the last of the desserts, we headed into the family room to watch football. Goose and Prez joined in, and before long, all the guys had wandered in—each claiming a spot in either a recliner or on the sofa.
We were all fighting the urge to doze off when the ol’ ladies started streaming in. That was usually the indicator that it was time to wind things down. The brothers with families would head home while the rest either went to work or spent the remainder of the night in the bar, drinking their sorrows away. That had always been me.
But tonight was different.
Tonight, I had them. Laken was tired. I could see it in her eyes and the way she stood a little closer, and Baylor didn’t even make it out of the parking lot before crashing out.
When we got to Laken’s apartment, she went to get her from the backseat, but I stepped in to give her a hand. “I’ve got her.”
Laken stepped back with a smile and watched as I unbuckled Baylor and scooped her into my arms. I cradled her against mychest as I followed Laken up to the door. Poor kid was so wiped she didn’t even flinch when we started inside the apartment.
Laken turned on the lights, and we made our way into the small bedroom. I gently lowered Baylor onto the bed, then pulled the blanket over her. I thought she was out cold until she opened her eyes and muttered, “I don’t wanna go to bed.”
“Ahh, she was playing possum,” I chuckled. “Were you awake the whole time?”
