Page 79 of Smitty

Okay. I’ll be there.

Need me to bring anything?

Brooke:

Just you.

Oh, and maybe some apple juice for Anslee’s lunch tomorrow.

Me:

You got it.

Brooke:

Thank you.

Anslee will be jealous she missed you.

Me:

I’ll make it up to her.

Brooke:

I know you will.

Me:

I’ll be there as soon as I can.

Brooke:

Looking forward to it.

My mind was on one thing and one thing only. Getting to my girls. Unfortunately, I had five long hours to get through before that could happen. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like it was going to be a crazy night. Mondays were usually slow, and I hoped that would hold true tonight. I took my post next to Rusty at the back of the bar, and I tried to keep my focus on the job and not the phone in my pocket.

“You good over there?”

“Just got a lot on my mind.”

“I hear ya.” He shook his head. “Heard Shep’s got it down to four, maybe five, members we could’ve missed.”

“Hadn’t heard that.”

“Grim and Ghost are tracking down some Benson guy, and if they find him, they’re bringing him back to the clubhouse.”

“Grim gonna try to get him to talk?”

“I figure that’s the plan. If they can find him… There’s always the chance that he’s already been dealt with.”

“Time will tell.”

One hour bled into the next, and I couldn’t have been more ready to see Skid walk through the front door. He was my relief for the night, so I said my goodbyes and headed straight for my bike. When I finally got to Brooke’s, it was almost eleven.

I figured Brooke was already in bed. I hated to wake her, but I needed to give her the juice I’d picked up for Anslee. I was just going to leave it on the front step, but the second I got off my bike, the front porch light came on.

I made my way up the steps and found Brooke waiting for me at the door. She eased it open and said, “You made it.”