Jay walks past his mom and aunt. I step in front of them and extend my arm, blocking their movement. Jay and I look around the parking lot. Nothing appears to be out of place. Not taking any chances, Jay opens the back door and pulls out a baseball bat.
“Jason, why do you have a bat in your truck?” his mom asks.
“You never know when you might need one.” He nudges the can with the bat. It falls easily to the ground. He picks it up and squeezes it in his hand. “It’s empty.”
“Were you expecting it to explode?” Nina asks.
“The Mavericks were throwing paint and smoke bombs around town a few months ago.” Jay tosses the soda can into the trash outside the restaurant's front door.
“Really?” Nina looks between Lauren and me.
“Oh, yes. It was ridiculous,” Lauren replies. “Be glad you missed that nonsense.”
“Why would they do that?” Nina takes my head and lets me help her into the truck.
“They’re idiots.” Jay helps his mom into the front passenger seat.
“Well, this was probably just teens being stupid.” Lauren fastens her seatbelt.
My eyes meet Jay's. Hopefully, she’s right, but something feels off. Nina remains silent. My phone dings before we pull out of the parking lot.
Ross: Bunnies fighting. Need Mack and Nana.
I groan and send a text back.
Me: On the way. I’ll tell Mack.
I send another text to our President. Tonight, he can deal with the club madness.
“What?” Jay glances at me over his shoulder.
“Nothing important. Just bunnies fighting.”
“Nana will handle them.” Jay doesn’t rush to get to the clubhouse. He has zero tolerance for the bunnies.
Nina and Lauren shake their heads and stare out the windows. They’re a lot alike. Leave it to the bunnies to ruin tonight’s mood. I reach across the seat and take Nina’s hand. I wink at her when she looks at me. Like every other time today, her cheeks turn pink. It’s a beautiful sight.
It’s total chaos when we pull through the gate. Apparently, the bunnies have been thrown out of the clubhouse and are now fighting in the parking lot. A few of our brothers stand near the door laughing.
Lauren turns her nose up. “Take me home, please.”
“Me too,” Nina adds.
Mack and Nana walk up to the bunnies and demand they leave. The three women glare at us as we drive by. What’s that about? Never mind. I don’t want to know or care what they do. Mack has things handled.
“Jay, take me home, too.” I’m not on duty tonight. I have other plans.
“No problem.” Jay takes the private drive to our houses behind the clubhouse. None of them can be seen from here.
My house sits about five acres behind Mack and Nanny’s house. He pulls up next to my truck. I hop out and hurry around to Nina’s door.
I hold my hand out. “Come on, lil lady.”
She cautiously places her hand in mine. “What are we doing?”
“Don’t ask questions. Go,” Lauren orders, lovingly, of course.
The moment her feet are on the ground, I close the door. Jay grins and drives away.
