Page 94 of A Hero for Hailey (Love will OUT 1)

“Good for you, girl,” Lenny says and nods in approval. Phoebe ducks her head to hide her blush. I don’t want to ruin her moment, but she does not want Lenny’s approval. His approval comes coupled with a stifling overprotectiveness. She’ll learn.

Pops arrives with a huge tray of burgers and fries. My stomach growls again. When Aiden smirks, I elbow him. “I can’t help it I’m hungry all the time.”

Pops catches my eye as he sets the salt shaker on the table. He doesn’t need to say a word. Okay, then. Looks like the pranks are continuing today. Yippee. Not.

Wally grabs his plate close and pulls the bun of the burger to make sure it’s actual meat. He smiles when he sees the pickle and onions. He grabs the salt shaker.

“Salt isn’t good for you, Wally,” I say knowing it will only spur him on to use more salt. What can I say? I am my father’s daughter after all.

Wally shakes but no salt comes out of the shaker. He grunts and shakes harder. I lean away from the danger zone. The top pops off and a shower of foam drenches his burger. From experience, I know his burger is now drenched in lemon juice and baking soda. He pushes his burger away and stands.

“I’m sorry, Hailey, but I’m going to kill your father,” he growls and storms off.

I shrug my shoulders and dive into my burger.

“You don’t seem concerned,” Aiden notices.

“This…” I motion to the mess on the table. “…is what I grew up with.”

A busboy arrives to clean the table while we all dig into our food. I groan as I take big bites of my burger. Aiden comes close and whispers in my ear, “If you don’t stop groaning, I’m going to take you into the restroom and have my wicked way with you.”

“What’s stopping you?” I tease before taking another bite and groaning obnoxiously loud.

He moans in response before grabbing my hand and placing it over the front of his jeans. I smirk before squeezing his cock.

Phoebe stands. “I’m…uh…” She points to the hallway leading to the restrooms.

I stand. “I’ll go with you.”

“I’m fine.”

I shrug. “Okay,” I say and sit back down.

Suzie rubs her hands together. “This is going to be good.”

“What are you talking about now, crazy pants?”

She points to a man at the end of the bar. A mountain of a man whose eyes are glued to Phoebe as she walks past him on her way to the restroom. We watch to make sure he doesn’t follow her. He doesn’t move, but his eyes remain trained on the hallway.

“How is it you can be observant when it comes to people, but you can’t watch where you’re walking?” Aiden asks.

The uncles chuckle, but Suzie is unaffected by their teasing. “I watch where I walk. I can’t help it people keep putting things in my way.”

Aiden looks at me. “Is she serious?”

I shrug. Who knows when it comes to her?

“She’s back.”

I return my attention to the hallway to see Phoebe come walking out. The big, burly man stands and approaches her. Her eyes widen to saucers. I start to stand. Someone needs to rescue her. Aiden stops me. “Give her a chance.”

I frown but don’t move. I stand there, ready to pounce on any man who gives my girl a hard time. I don’t care how big and scary he looks.

The man bends over and speaks to Phoebe. Her eyes widen further as she shakes her head. Then, she squeaks and runs away from him toward our table. She arrives with her chest heaving.

Interesting. My curiosity is officially piqued.

“Is it time to go home yet?” Aiden asks.

I wrinkle my nose at him. It’s Friday night and barely past eight. I planned to stay for a few more hours. He grabs my hand and places it over the front of his jeans again. Looks like a change of plans is in order.

“Yep! Time to go home.”

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