It had nothing to do with me giving a crap about Zero.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
ZERO
“Get up. I need a ride.”
Jasper’s voice made me jump and I tried to circle my arms around Isla automatically. I’d been laying on the floor while she played with her toys, and when she fell asleep on me, I figured I’d close my eyes for a little while. I didn’t think I’d fall asleep. Isla wasn’t sleeping on my chest anymore and my eyes snapped open as I looked around for her. She was awake and on Jasper’s hip and he was giving me an irritated look that said he wasn’t happy with me falling asleep while caring for her.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, pushing myself up and rubbing my hands roughly over my face. “What time is it?”
“Four thirty. Get up.”
Pushing to my feet, I grabbed my keys and wallet automatically, following him out the door. It wasn’t until I was sliding into the driver’s seat that I woke up enough to question what was happening. “Wait. Where are we going?”
“Xander’s place. I told him I’d be there in ten, so hurry up.”
Blinking a few times, I tried to wrap my head around that information. “I didn’t know you two were friends.”
He shot me a dirty look in the rearview mirror. I raised my hands in surrender, putting on my seatbelt and starting the car. “Sorry, sorry. Did you grab the diaper bag?”
“Yeah. We’re set. Just go.”
I’d just pulled out of the driveway when he added, “Oh, we have to pick up Ms. Brooks first. Do you know where she lives?”
Okay, now I had questions. “What’s going on? Why would Simone need to come along for you to hang out with Xander? No one mentioned anything to me.”
“We’re going to be late,” he said in lieu of answering me. “She’s probably already waiting. Do you want her to think you’re the jerk who makes her wait?”
His dig got me moving, but I was still reeling when I pulled up in front of Simone’s place. She came out right after I pulled into the driveway, like she actually had been waiting for us, and slid into the front seat with a big tray in her lap.
“What’s that?”
“Food,” she answered vaguely. “Did you remember to pack a spare outfit?”
“I did,” Jasper answered from the back seat.
She nodded, raising her eyebrows at me when I just sat there staring at her.
“What’s going on?”
Her brows furrowed and she cast a glance at the back seat. I looked in the rearview mirror again, but missed whatever expression Jasper made. Simone shook her head, patting my leg gently. “Just think of it as a surprise. Now we should get going. I don’t like being late.”
“Told you,” Jasper sassed. I jerked my head back.
“You two are acting weird.”
Neither gave up the secret and I drove to Wraith’s place still scratching my head over what was going on. Maybe I was still asleep. This being a weird dream would make a lot more sense than whatever was happening right now.
Familiar vehicles were parked in front of Wraith’s place. Not a bike in sight, but those cars belonged to some of my crew. Hope filled my chest and I studied the house for any signs of what was going on as I got Isla out of the car. Jasper had the diaper bag, and Simone had the food. Jasper led the way toward the front door, his focus on his phone as his thumbs flew over the screen. I frowned at him. Since when did he text anyone? He didn’t have any friends as far as I knew. He wasn’t interested in making any yet.
Wraith’s front door opened and Xander came jogging out, waving us toward the back. “Everyone’s out here. Come on.”
I followed, still confused, but hopeful as familiar voices filled the air. Xander opened the metal gate for us, nudging Wraith’s massive dog out of the way with his knee and ushering us in. When I saw the group by the fire, I felt some of the tension in my shoulders ease.
“Zero! Settle a bet for me,” Vegas called, waving me over. He had his sleeping daughter strapped to his chest and a beer in his hand. Brewer, who stood next to him, offered me one when I approached, and when I hesitated, Simone patted me on the arm.
“Go ahead. I’ll drive us back tonight.”
