I pinch my temples. “About a minute after that information is released, I’ll no longer be Frankie or Bishop, I’ll be Broussard’s girl.”
“Tough titties, doll. Suck it up,” Remy teases before I can even think of an argument as to why that shouldn’t happen.
“Fine, fine, but do we really need a picture? Can’t we just say you’re off the market, taken, wifed up?” I do a little tiny bit of pleading of my own. The wifed up part doesn’t even scare me, which is pretty surreal.
“You’re such a pain in my ass, Bishop,” Remy snarls, but there’s no heat in his words. “You have to agree to come to every game when you’re not working.” He points at me as he makes the demand. I nod eagerly. “You have to meet me in the hall after the game.” I nod again, but narrow my eyes. This bargaining chip is only worth so much, and he’s pushing it. “You have to sit in the family box.”
“No, uh-uh, nada, not happening. You blew your wad on that one.”
Remy gasps, and his mouth falls open in mock horror as my words register. I’d nearly forgotten Nash was with us. I peek over in her direction to see her biting her bottom lip, trying not to laugh.
“You, young lady, have a dirty mouth,” Remy chastises with the haughtiness of a schoolmarm. “Besides, you know I only blow my snatch syrup on you,” he adds right when we reach the door to his den.
Ash is now the one with a wide-eyed stare, but her attention is blissfully on Remy. “Would you care to join us for lunch?” I offer politely with possibly the worst ever transition.
* * *
My votefor Jimmy’s wisely gets overruled when we realize half the town will be there for lunch, more than happy to eavesdrop on our conversation. Instead, we end up at a chain place that has a bar that I’m told is popular with the work crowd.
It’s not lost on me that our group is made of three men and three women and a mink, but our dynamics are much different than one might first assume. When we’re shown to our table, I have a moment where I worry about the seating arrangements being awkward, but Felix and Gray take the seats on either side of me while Remy takes the one straight across the table, leaving Ash and Nash to take the seats on the ends.
I glance around, noting everyone does indeed seem to be engrossed in their own table affairs, before picking up the menu. The waitress is quick to come over. “Is this all on the same bill?” Her eyes scan our group.
“That’s fine.” Gray nods his head once.
“I have cash,” Nash offers hurriedly.
I start shaking my head in denial. “Feeding you is the least we can do.” Ash stays quiet for the exchange, but for her, this is sort of a working lunch too, so I’m not surprised.
The waitress takes everyone’s drink order and promises to return shortly, giving us a little time to look over the menu.
“What are you getting?” Remy asks immediately.
I peer over the top of my oversized menu, knowing he’s probably talking to me. “Percy, do you see what I have to deal with now?”
A mate that finally shows concern for your needs. How horrible.He deadpans the last part of the sentence.
“I always showed concern,” Remy mutters under his breath.
Ash stares at the side of Remy’s face with a frown.
“Percy is my familiar,” I inform her.
“Your familiar?” she repeats, and it may be the first time I’ve heard her speak.
“Yeah.” I brush my hand affectionately over his head. I’ve gotten very comfortable with him hanging out on my shoulder.
“Oh, but Rem was talking to him?”
“Rem” —I make a face at Remy about the nickname Ash used, and he rolls his eyes— “was responding to Percy.” I return my gaze to Ash.
“Your familiar,” she says again, not understanding how Remy could hear him. Maybe I should have just ignored her questioning gaze and let her think whatever she wanted.
“I can hear the homicidal weasel because we’re bonded.” Remy drops the comment as if he’s talking about the weather.
“Bonded?” Ash questions with wide eyes. “But you just…” She leaves the rest of the statement hanging, just like her bottom jaw, but I know what she was going to say.We just got together.
“It was a long time coming. What are you getting, doll?” Remy tries again.
