“How’d you get in the club, anyway?” Brek asked as they moved around the edge of the crowd.
“There are certain things no one needs to know.” Jase smirked as they moved through a cloud of cigarette smoke. “Call your mom, check on Aspen.”
Brek took the phone Jase handed him and dialed.
“Ma, how’s Aspen?” He stopped walking and held a hand up against his other ear so he could hear.
“Things slowed way down. She’s resting. They’re not thinking anything’s going to happen until morning.” Ma sounded wiped.
“You need anything? I can come wait with you.” Brek dropped his head.
“Go on home. I’ll call you when things change.”
“I want to be there for you. When you need me.” Soon he’d be an uncle. He blinked against the emotion in his throat.
“There’s nothing anyone can do right now. Get some rest tonight. Love you, Brek.”
“Back at you.” He swiped at the screen to end the call.
“Everything okay?” Jase asked.
“Yeah. Gonna be awhile.” Brek started dialing Velma’s number.
“Are you Brek?”
Brek glanced up as a cop strutted over to them. Full uniform. Full jackass. Brek trusted him about as far as he trusted gas station sushi.
“Yeah?” Brek asked, only stopping because the guy blocked them from continuing down the sidewalk.
“You’re the guy with Velma?” the cop guy asked.
“Look, man. Now’s not a good time.” Brek held up a palm and tried to move forward.
The idiot stepped closer, right into Brek’s space.
“Wayne.” He stretched his hand to shake Brek’s.
“Brek.” Brek shook it.
Wayne had balls. Brek gave him that. He also had a uniform and a gun, so Brek elected to behave.
“She’s home.” Wayne glanced from Brek to Jase and back. “She deserves better than to be left on the curb like that.”
“Trust me, Officer. You do not want to do this tonight.” Jase stepped into position at Brek’s right.
Wayne held up his hands in mock resignation. “Not doing anything. Just making sure she’s being taken care of.”
Wayne crossed his arms but clearly made sure his badge stayed visible. Yeah. Brek got the message.
“You’re gonna break her heart. And when you do, I’ll be there to put it back together.”
Jase moved in closer and jerked his chin toward Fuckwit. “She’s only warming one bed tonight, and it’s not this jackass’s.”
Wayne smirked like a fuckin’ candy-ass. “For tonight. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
Brek leaned through the few inches Wayne had left between them. “Leave her.The fuck. Alone.”
“Or what?” Wayne narrowed his eyelids, sizing him up.
