Always Crew

Jordan overheard. “I’ll go with her.”

“Us too.” Zellman was next to Angeline. He was holding her, and she was firmly snuggled up to his side.

That was interesting.

Jordan caught my look and shared a small grin with me.

I snorted.

He laughed.

Blaise looked between us, then held his hands up. “I don’t want to know.” He went back to Aspen and soon, they were heading out. Alex came over and said he was leaving as well. Veronica was headed back with Blaise, Aspen, and Zeke.

“Alone, huh?”

He shrugged, dropping his head to the side. “As I live and breathe, but respect. Yeah?” He held a hand out. I shook it, and he extended it to the others, saying, “Met Harper through his dad and my uncle. We kept in touch, but I didn’t know he was like this. Or maybe I did. That was back when I was a douche, so maybe that’s why we were friends. Gotta admit, never felt totally right coming out here, getting his call out of the blue.” He nodded toward me. “But it was nice to be on the right side this time.”

Jordan, Cross, and Zellman all gave me a look, all with their eyebrows raised.

“I’ll fill you guys in.”

Jordan grunted.

After that, Alex left.

The others were starting to leave as well. Most went right away, probably fearing they’d get in trouble by being associated with Harper.

Jordan said to Jade, “Mind giving us a moment?”

Zellman nodded to Angeline, too.

Both girls went toward Jade’s SUV.

The guys moved in, and without pausing, Jordan came forward and cupped my face in both hands.

“Oh!” I jumped, then his forehead touched mine. “Hello. Hi.”

He breathed out, closing his eyes. “Are you okay?” His voice was strangled.

My eyes darted to the side, seeing the same emotion reflected on Zellman’s face.

Both were intense.

“Yeah.” I let out some air.

I could feel Jordan take a breath. In. Out. And he said under his breath, “Thank fucking God.” He released me, stepping back and he blinked rapidly. “Thank fucking God.”

His words were whispered.

Zellman moved in.

I was expecting the same face-cupping thing, but he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. It was a big bear hug, and he moved me back, carrying me a total of three steps before setting me back down.

He whispered in my ear, “If anything had happened to you—anything.” He pulled back, his eyes hard and he shook his head. “Anything.”

I knew what he was saying. Understanding spread through me, and I reached up, grasping his wrists. My hands held tight, and I said just as fiercely back, “Same.”

He jerked his head up and down, stiff. “I fucking love you, Bren.”

“Same.”

He moved forward, cupping the back of my head and he pressed a kiss there. “Shit. I love you.” He sniffed and wiped at his nose once, almost savagely, before rolling his shoulders. He turned around. “Come on. Let’s see to the girls.”

Jordan gave me another one of those intense nods before they went over.

I moved up next to Cross, and we watched as Jordan went over, opened Jade’s driver’s door where she was sitting. Words were exchanged. He looked firm. She looked surprised, but she slid out and he took her place.

Jade went to the front passenger seat, and Zellman took the seat behind her, right next to Angeline. I saw him reach for her hand right before he shut the door.

As their taillights lit up, Cross put his arm around my shoulder. “You need to call your brother.”

And, well… fuck.

CROSS

This girl.

I loved this girl, and she was asleep, the bedsheet across her thigh, and I just wanted to hold her.

All day long.

Every night.

Every day.

Forever.

I was going to marry this girl.

My girl.

Mine.

One day.

Until then, I just pulled her into my arms and held her.

All. Night. Long.

BREN

“You want a coffee?”

His name was Detective Brennan. That was the name on the card he gave me the night before, and that’s who I asked for when I came to the station. It took longer than I thought to get here. Cross showed me how much he enjoyed when I wore my ripped jeans.

The detective had come out almost right away, but he looked harried. He showed me to a back room, indicated I could have a seat and was now at the door, waiting my response to his question.

“Uh. Sure.”

He nodded. “Cream? Sugar?”

“Both.”

He left and I pulled my phone out, sending a text to Channing.

Me: I’m here.

Channing: At his desk?

Me: A room.

I waited, expecting a quick response. My brother was usually good about that unless he was in the middle of something with Heather or his job. When it took a little bit, I was starting to get nervous.

Channing: Keep your phone on, just in case.

Alarm spiked.

Me: What?

Channing: Call me without him knowing and keep this line open. If I don’t like what I’m hearing, I’m calling him.