When You Were Mine (Stone Lake 2)

“Then, I guess you better hurry and find some bad guys so we can start house shopping,” she says with a cautious smile.

“That’s on my list to start doing tomorrow,” I tell her.

“What’s on your list to do tonight?” she teases, her smile broadening and her eyes taking on this sleepy look that makes me want to fuck her… of course I always want to fuck her, so it doesn’t take much.

“You, Luna. You are definitely on my to do list for the night, several times in fact.”

“Then, I guess you better get busy, Gavin,” she murmurs, her lips spreading into a smile at the same time.

“I guess I better,” I respond with a grin, taking her mouth in a kiss that I hope shows her just how much I want her.

Juniper

I’ve been combing over the want ads for hours and nothing changes. There are still only two jobs I’m probably qualified for. One is a waitress and the other is a pole dancer in the next town over from Stone Lake. Neither job is what I want to do. Stone Lake only has one true bar and it’s been shut down because the owner was killed. The family has the bar up for sale. It’s actually a really good price, I guess having a serial killer loose in your neighborhood does a number on real estate values. I could probably swing it, but buying a bar is kind of permanent. Nashville turned into such a mess, I’m not sure I’m ready to put down permanent roots.

The phone rings and I reach over to grab it, happy for the distraction.

“Gavin and Luna’s home,” I answer, feeling weird answering their phone.

“I like the sound of that,” Luna jokes.

“What’s that?”

“Gavin and Luna’s home,” she responds. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that.”

“I bet you will,” I joke.

“I hope I get the chance,” she says, and I can hear the worry in her voice. I need to talk to my brother and soon. I don’t think he understands how worried Luna is about having the rug pulled out from under her. I’m a girl, and a girl who has had a rocky relationship that nearly killed her. I completely understand her fears. Gavin needs to help her get control of them.

“You will,” I assure her, realizing that she probably won’t believe anything I tell her.

“I called to ask you for a favor,” Luna says, changing the subject and proving that she doesn’t truly believe me.

“What do you need?”

“Joshua’s coach just called and left a message. He wants the kids there for a team meeting and to pick up the summer practice schedule. I know it’s an inconvenience, but do you think you can take him?”

“Sure. I got my car out front.”

“That’s the thing. Gavin has arranged for a deputy to drive the two of you. He could probably just drive Joshua, but if you could go with him, I’d appreciate it so much. I’ve been trying to get out of this damn meeting so I could go, but it’s looking like that’s not going to happen, since the council is fighting over budget cuts.”

“No worries, Luna. I’ll get him there.”

“Thanks, Juniper.”

“June or Junie, remember? Are you trying to make me hate you?” I joke.

“Junie,” she agrees. “Would you hate me if I ask you to text me and let me know you made it there safely?”

“I was already planning on it.”

“Thank you.” The relief evident in her voice.

“Talk to you soon,” I tell her.

“Soon. Thanks again,” she says as she rings off.

“That Mom?” Joshua pauses, looking up from his video game.

“Yeah, bad news, buddy. She says we have to go to the football field to meet with your coach and pick up the summer practice schedule.”

“Cool,” he says, already putting down his game.

“Yeah, a cop is supposed to pick us up and take us over there. So, we better hurry and straighten this place up.”

“Why?” Joshua gives me a weird look.

“Why?”

“Yeah, why pick it up? It’s only my game out and we’re coming back, and you promised me a game of Fortnite.”

Shock hits me. I’ve been so used to constantly doing what my ex wanted that I still do it without thought.

“Yeah, you’re right.” I laugh.

“You’re weird, Junie.”

“Gee thanks,” I mutter.

The doorbell rings about ten minutes later. I look out the peephole to see a deputy standing there. I keep Joshua behind me, just in case and open the door.

“Hi,” the guy says with a smile.

“Hey, are you our ride?”

“That’d be me. Is Joshua ready?” he asks, trying to look over my shoulder.

“Yep, right here,” Joshua says, trying to move around me.

Something seems off. On instinct, I stop Joshua from moving and move so my body is wedged in front of him once again.

“Something wrong, Ma’am?” I want to say there is. I don’t know what it is, but I just… feel it. You don’t live through what I have in the last six months not to listen to your instincts when they are telling you something is off.