Page 28 of Time Served in New York
Brea added, “Sis and Soda are on a date, and August and Rodeo are out exploring on their own. They’re going to meet up with us later.”
“How much later?” Jude asked. “Are we planning on staying out all night or something?”
“We might have so much fun on the subway that we ride all night long and watch the sun rise,” Paula teased. She glanced over her shoulder and grinned at Bernadette and Stamp as they walked up and complimented her on the coat she was wearing. Finally, with a wave toward one of the men that had been following us around since we got to New York, Paula nodded and said, “Let’s go, people.”
“Like we need a keeper,” Jude said under his breath as he put his hand on my back and nudged me ahead of him.
“It’s not for us, babe,” I whispered. “They’re watching out for Paula, Bernadette, and Frankie.”
“Wouldn’t need this shit if we were in Texas,” he replied. “Can’t even walk around this town without security. If we were at home,we’dbe the security.”
“I know you’ll keep me safe out here in the big scary city,” I assured Jude, trying to stroke his ego and make him a little more comfortable about the adventure we had planned.
“You’re not carrying a purse are you?” Jude asked right before he ran his hand over my ass. “Nothing in your pockets for someone to steal?”
“No one’s going to pick my pockets, Jude. You’re going to be right there with me the whole time.”
“Stay close to me. You never know what might happen in a city this size. There’s always stuff on the news, and they’ve got all those crazy murderers running loose . . .” When I raised my eyebrows and looked at him in question, he shrugged. “I just worry about your safety, Blue.”
“Letting these women out in the wild, untamed city is probably gonna get us all on the morning news,” Chef agreed. “Did they tell you that they want to witness a mugging? And then what do they plan to do when they catch the guy?”
“Why would you . . .” Jude shook his head and sighed. “I don’t even want to know, do I?”
I bit my lip as I slowly shook my head, and our friends laughed at the tortured look on Jude’s face.
“Let’s get this shit over and get everybody back here in one piece,” Jude said as we all stopped on the street in front of the hotel.
“Love you, Jude,” I said as I squeezed his hand through our gloves.
“I love you, too, woman, but you’re gonna be the death of me. You know that, right?”
“Let’s get cabs,” I suggested.
“No,” Frankie said firmly. “The car should be here any second now.”
“My princess doesn’tdocabs,” Christopher said loudly. “The lady has standards.”
“I just want to hail one and then get in a screaming match with the driver when he overcharges me,” Brea said. When I nodded, she asked, “Wouldn’t that be fun? I’ve seen that onsomany movies and tv shows.”
“I’m walkin’ here!” Captain yelled in his best De Niro impression.
“How far are we going?” Jude asked as we followed Frankie and my brother with the rest of our friends.
“We didn’t get to do it yesterday, so let’s ride the subway tonight,” Pandora suggested. I saw Frankie rub her forehead and realized Pandora had seen the same thing when she said, “Come on, Frankie. Don’t be such a snob. We want the real experience.”
“I want to get home to Texas in one piece,” Jude grumbled. “Shooting through a tunnel in a soda can is not the way I want to die.”
“You’re not gonna die, Preacher,” Boss assured him. “Where’s Hammer?”
“He said he had plans,” Chef answered. “I told him to text me when he gets finished. Maybe we can meet up.”
“Where are we going exactly?” Boss asked as he watched Jenn climb into the van. Before anyone could answer, he climbed in after her, and we all followed suit. Once we were situated, he asked, “Why the secrecy? Where are we going?”
“We’re going to have dessert,” Frankie said with a huge smile. “There’s a famous delicatessen that has the best milkshake you’ve ever tasted. It’s almost orgasmic.”
Paula threw her head back and laughed. “That’s freaking awesome, Frankie. They’re gonna love it.”
“What are we doing tomorrow?” Brea asked.
