Page 23 of Ella’s Data

“It’s okay, Ella. I know the meds have you all jacked up. I brought your dry clothes upstairs and I’m gonna go down and fix us both drinks. Take your time and I’ll meet you downstairs when you’re ready to go.”

“Mkay, thanks, Data,” I say as I roll over and work on getting myself untangled from the blanket. I obviously slept hard because I’m wound up in the strands of the throw, but finally, I manage to get untangled and head into the bathroom after grabbing my clothes that Data folded and put on the end of the bed.

It doesn’t take long to use the bathroom, wash my hands and face, then get dressed. I think my hair might be a lost cause until I remember I have a clip in my purse. Rushing back into the bedroom, I dig it and my brush out then quickly pull it through my tangled rat’s nest. Once it’s as free of knots as it’s gonna get, I use the brush to gather all my hair then twist it until I can get it in the clip. “There, that’ll work until I can wash and condition it,” I state, before slipping on my shoes and slinging my purse over my shoulder.

Rushing down the stairs, I come to a complete stop when I see most of the brothers standing around waiting to head to the haunted houses. “What? Do I have egg on my face or something?”

“Just never seen anyone moving that fast,” Red replies, grinning at me.

“Then you haven’t been around her in a medical emergency,” Fee sasses as she walks over to me and gives me a quick hug. “We’ll bring over the stuff for the interactive boxes, we got a late start thanks to some cranky kiddos.”

“Do you need me to do anything?” I offer as Data hands me a tumbler. I take a sip and sigh; the fizzy goodness of an ice-cold Diet Coke will jazz me up beyond what the steroids have already done, but I’m gonna need it to get through tonight.

I still feel discombobulated from falling asleep. One minute, we were lying there, watching some stupid true crime show on his big ass tv, and the next, he was waking me up. Did I drool? Did I talk in my sleep? He’s got too many manners to tell me, and while we had that month together all those years ago, that was then and this is now.

“Nope, just go on over and one of us will stop by shortly,” she says.

“Then let’s punch it, Judy,” I tell Data, already turning toward the front door.

“These kids are rabid tonight,” I tell Pipes as the latest group leaves. “What gives? Is it a full moon or something?”

“Who knows?” he retorts. “But I do know that the cops have been next door a few times due to fights breaking out in the line. Not sure how we can convey it, but folks who are drinking really shouldn’t come here, because now poor Colt has a broken jaw.”

“What?” I screech as he walks inside with me so we can clean everything up and shut it down for the night. “How on earth did that happen?”

“You know he’s one of the bodies in the coffins, right?” he asks. At my nod, he continues, saying, “Well, apparently, the guy he reached up and grabbed was drunk, so he freaked out and hauled off and punched Colt in the face, breaking his jaw. That was the first arrest. The next one was because some stupid fucker thought he could go after one of the wailing sisters. Rebel told him, before the cops arrived, that he better thank his lucky stars that the girl he grabbed was eighteen, because the other two are minors. Based on where she was grabbed, he could’ve found himself in a lot more trouble than he’s already going to face when he goes before a judge.”

“Holy shit,” I murmur. “I guess I won’t bitch about a few rowdy kids then.”

“Rebel says that before they open up tomorrow night, he’s going to make an announcement to those standing in line, and then Data will have it on a loop for those who come afterward. He’s letting folks know that we won’t put up with their shit, we will call the cops, and since there are student actors involved, anyone caught touching one of them in any capacity will be banned from all of our businesses. That means no auto repairs in town, no stopping off for a drink after work at our bar, and heaven help them if they ever need to replace a part and come to the junkyard.”

“Can he do that?” I ask as we finish and he sets the alarm before we walk out the door. He double checks it’s locked, then walks me down the side path toward the back of the big house so I can wait for Data.

“Uh, yeah, we have the right to refuse anyone we want when we own the businesses. He also said he’s going to make sure that it impacts their whole family, since Data can easily get that information.”

I can’t help it; I start laughing before I sober up when I think about Colt. “Will Colt be alright?” I question.

“Yeah, Psycho took him to the hospital and the last I heard, he was spending the night. They wired his jaw shut, which is gonna suck for him, but they’re mostly keeping him to make sure they get his pain under control.”

“That guy better pay for his hospital stay,” I snarl, ready to do battle for the young prospect. He and his twin brother are two of the most helpful guys I’ve ever met outside of when I’ve been on the site of a natural disaster and civilians from all over come to pitch in.

“I’ll give you one better. Rebel’s making him pay for that, as well as the money he’s going to miss out on from not working, and he’s already got our club lawyer on it on Colt’s behalf.”

“Good, because I’d hate to use my medical knowledge for nefarious purposes,” I sneer, causing Pipes to burst out laughing.

I wait, tapping my toe as he laughs long and hard for minutes, then after he manages to collect himself, he says, “No offense, Ella, but you’re a tad over five feet tall.”

“I’m a woman who has had plenty of self-defense lessons, and I know all the pressure points to hit if I need to bring a grown man to his knees. Plus, I’m not afraid to jab someone with a needle, so there’s that to keep in mind as well,” I retort.

“Pipes, she’s a cute but rabid honey badger,” Data says, wrapping his arms around me and dropping a kiss to the top of my head. “And she’s mine, so go flirt with someone else.”

Pipes, who’s chuckling again, walks away toward where the brothers have been parking their bikes, as I turn toward Data. “Rabid honey badger?” I query, raising my brow.

“It kind of fits this week at least. Steroids, remember?” he teases. “You ate most of the pizza as I recall.”

“Huh, and I was gonna see if you wanted to spend the night,” I muse, turning my back to him as I bite back a smile. “Guess not, you can just drop me off instead.”

His arms reach around me and pull me against his chest as he nuzzles my neck. “A cute honey badger, Ella. And I’m not just dropping you off, sweetheart. I think it’s time for us to get reacquainted, don’t you?”