“Maybe don’t call the Navy guy a stupid squid.”
Ezra’s brows jumped, a smile teasing the corners of his lips. “Isn’t that what they’re called?”
He shook his head, knowing full well that no matter what he said, it wasn’t going to deter Ezra one bit.
The roar of an engine brought his gaze back to Talon. He was on his bike, looking toward them, face shielded by his helmet, but it didn’t take a genius to know that he was scowling from the finger he was aiming Ezra’s way. Glancing at Ezra, he wasn’t surprised to find him blowing Talon a kiss.
He let out a deep breath.
“Anywhere else you want to put up useless cameras?”
Ezra scoffed. “Useless my ass.”
He arched a brow at Ezra, watching the man shrug before he shook his head and started toward their bikes, Ezra following a step behind him.
“No. I’ve already got cameras everywhere,” Ezra said, and when Wilder snapped his gaze onto him, he added, “Don’t worry. Ain’t no one good enough to hack into them.”
“When you say everywhere…?”
Ezra snorted. “I’m not a perv if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Just checking.”
“Fucker,” Ezra said under his breath, the laughter in his voice making Wilder run a hand over his mouth to hide his smile.
Ezra turned, walking backward in front of Wilder, the gleam in his eyes making Wilder steel himself for whatever was about to come out of Ezra’s mouth.
“Aww. I’m growing on you,” Ezra crooned.
“Like a tumor.”
Ezra grinned. “Tumors can be benign.”
“You’re the opposite of benign.”
“Truer words have never been spoken.”
They reached their bikes, and he watched as Ezra walked up and patted the seat of his lovingly. It was an obnoxious beast of a motorcycle that Ezra had bought home after living with them for only two days. At least it was less conspicuous than the sports car he’d originally shown up in. He hadn’t been surprised to learn that Ezra could ride. What he hadn’t expected was just howgood he was on that bike. He’d competed when he was younger, according to Miles, though he hadn’t disclosed whether that competing had been illegal or not. Knowing Ezra, his bet was on illegal.
“You going to the gym?”
“Yeah. Babysitting duty,” he said, flashing a grin at Ezra. He just had to go pick Emmett up from the clubhouse.
Ezra’s eyes narrowed, and that might be the first time he’d ever seen him even slightly serious.
“Don’t treat him like an invalid, and you’ll be fine,” Ezra said, a tone of something almost threatening in his voice.
Wilder raised his hands. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
There was no need to mention his and Emmett’s clash yesterday. He didn’t plan on asking any more stupid questions. Emmett was right: he’d been ignorant and condescending. He was going to change that. He was going to make it up to him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Emmett
GETTING UP early was something he’d learnt from his dad. Despite being twenty years retired, the man still operated on military time. He’d never minded Dad’s strictness because it had always been clear to him that it stemmed from caring. Considering how cold his grandparents were, it was a wonder his dad and uncle had turned out as well as they had.
He pulled up in front of the gym, easily napping one of the closest parking spaces considering the early hour. He reached across the console to grab his bag from the passenger seat, the smell of old paint making his nose scrunch up. He needed to clean his paintbrushes before they became useless.
