Salvation (Surrender 3)

He pulls her away and apologizes profusely about making fun of her. All my friends watch me with understanding in their eyes. She’s my fucking perfection.

Several hours later, I’m watching with jealousy as Cruz and Alex look over appliance catalogs with Ember. She’s ripping out pages and making notes furiously. If it weren’t for my fucking pride, I’d lose purposely to join them. Max notices my distraction and kicks me under the table.

“What the fuck?” I wince.

“Don’t be a baby. Knew it was your good leg. Just trying to bring you back to the game.”

“I’m here.”

“Told you, man, it’s a disease.” Finn chuckles at the other end of the table.

“Can we talk about the project you guys are working on?”

“Nope.”

“How about if I said I know all about it because James called me. I’m in. Surveillance only. I’m home for a few weeks.”

Finn and I look at each other and communicate silently.

“Damn! Sometimes I wish I wasn’t an accountant so I could be a part of the fun shit,” Jimi claims.

“I’m not an accountant, and I still get slighted,” Tripp adds and Gabe agrees.

“Look, guys, I can’t talk about this right now.” I cut my eyes to Ember, and they nod in understanding. “But, let’s just say, this is big.”

“Night or day?” Tripp asks.

“Both. You think you can keep an eye on Ember without fucking pissing me off by making passes at her?”

“Nope.” He grins, licking his lips. “But I’ll promise to take care of her.”

My jaw ticks as I stare at him. He laughs so loud that Ember stops and looks at us.

“What’s so funny?”

“You and I have a date Tuesday night. You pick the movie,” Tripp tells her, further pissing me off. “Basically, your man has to work late.”

She looks at me for confirmation, and I nod.

“Ooohhhlalalala, we’re in.” Cruz invites himself, and Tripp looks at me, terrified.

I smile widely and raise my eyebrows, challenging him to argue. He sighs and throws in his cards. “I thought I finally had a night out with a hot babe. Now, I have the three of them?”

“Yep, and don’t forget that hot babe belongs to me.”

Everyone at the table laughs as Gabe deals another hand. “Harper’s going to want to come. She love those guys,” he says, referring to Cruz and Alex.

“Abbi will want to join in too,” Jimi adds.

“Maybe we’ll choose a scary movie, so she has to cuddle against me,” Tripp teases, shifting his cards.

“I’m pretty sure Robbie may commit murder if you put Ember in a position to cuddle against you,” Finn says.

“Can we please change the subject?” I ask, annoyed.

“Sure, let’s talk about you.” Jimi looks at me. “How are things?”

“Things are fine. Work is good. Family is well. Ember and I should be in the house come late fall. But I’m guessing you were indirectly asking about my recovery.”