Page 34 of Stone
“Jared’s been spotted in Bluff Creek. War is keeping him away from Naomi until we get back,” Stone reported.
Finn nodded. “Yep, Regina and War both texted us.”
Stone stared at Finn, wondering why Regina and War would notify them. Regina hadn’t texted Stone.
“It’s all good, Stone. We’ve got your back,” Ben reassured him, grinning as the girls came out.
“Hey, ladies, do you need bracelets to commemorate your first motorcycle ride?” Ben asked.
“My treat,” Stone interjected.
“Well, okay. If Stone’s getting you that, then I’ll still owe you something later,” Ben conceded, his grin widening.
Drinks were one thing, but his brothers weren’t going to be the first of their family giving the girls gifts. They could wait their turn.
Although War had told her not to worry, Naomi wasn’t able to turn it off that easily. Her babies were out on the road. She trusted Stone and his brothers to keep the girls safe, but what about when they got back to Bluff Creek? She would be in violation of the court decree if she kept the girls from going, but there was no way she was allowing her babies to be alone with a man who had beaten her time and time again.
She worried about Stone too. He was protective of her and her girls. It would break her heart if Jared provoked Stone. She and Stone hadn’t discussed whether Stone was on probation or not. Once he realized she didn’t hold it against him, they hadn’t spoken of it again.
“I can feel your nerves vibrating the air around us. It will be okay,” Willa soothed. Naomi had been introduced to Willaearlier, so impressed to learn that she was a helicopter pilot. She was with Cruise, a man Naomi had only met briefly.
“Sorry. I’m just worried,” Naomi replied.
“I can understand that. I served and was used to stressful situations, but when it was me involved in it—it feels different. You’ll survive just like I did,” Willa encouraged, handing a couple of drinks to the customer at the window. She turned back around as the line cleared. “I’m kind of looking forward to seeing what’s going to happen to your ex-husband.”
“What do you mean?What’sgoing to happen to him?” Naomi inquired.
“I’m guessing there are at least three contingency plans for how he’ll be handled, depending on how he responds when he’s told no,” Willa chuckled. “I’m also sure that none of them will make him happy, but abusive jerks deserve to not be happy.”
Clara knocked on the sill of the window. “Polo Collar Moobs heading this way,” Clara announced before walking off.
“Polo Collar Moobs?” Naomi repeated, stunned.
“Jared. Brody mentioned that his man tits in his collared polo shirt were larger than some of the ladies’, which led to Dex mentioning that calling them tits gave him indigestion. He suggested man boobs, which was shortened to moobs by Beth,” Willa explained.
“How do you know all this?” Naomi wondered.
“Because the guys can’t keep quiet on the earpieces,” Willa shared, leaning against the counter.
Naomi blinked, her heart skipping a beat. “What earpieces?”
“The ones the response team is wearing.”
“Response team?” Naomi looked around the immediate area. What the hell was the response team?
“Regina had an idea, which she discussed with War,” Willa added, tapping her own ear. “There are at least twelve different voices I’ve heard on here, so relax. We’ve got this.” Willa turnedto take an order from a customer, then made change while Naomi gathered the sandwich and bag of chips for them.
Willa motioned for Naomi to move to the corner of the truck, which couldn’t be seen by any customers at the window.
“Good morning! What can I get for you?” Willa asked pleasantly.
“Information. I’m looking for my bitch of an ex-wife. I’m supposed to have our daughters this weekend. I’m already late because I’ve had four flat tires,” Jared growled.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Four flat tires, you say?” Willa mused.
“Yes. A flat tire forty minutes outside Edmond, and then I got it fixed and another flat tire thirty minutes later. By the time I got a tow truck, it was late, so I stayed in a motel. This morning, thirty minutes after I left the motel, another flat tire. The last one was as I drove through Coldwater. What a clusterfuck!” he exclaimed.
Willa nodded. “I’m sorry about that. You’ve had a crappy start to the weekend.”
