Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 139088 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139088 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 695(@200wpm)___ 556(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
“I’m an honorary Rock Chick,” he proclaimed right back.
“Oh,” she mumbled, looked him up and down, then said, “So you know these men have many skills. Common sense when it comes to aches, pains and gunshot wounds is not one of them.”
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do,” The Kevster took his life in his hands to say. And he wasn’t done. “I’m a man. I hope I never get shot. But if I did, I’d take that opportunity to load up on my favorite strains and work my way through a Coen Brothers, then David Lynch, then Roberto Rodriguez, then Kevin Smith, then Richard Linklater, then—”
“We get you,” I said so that record would skip to the next track.
“—movie marathon,” The Kevster hit the next track. “But I’m not a Hot Bunch dude.”
I butted in. “Knox told me Mace said it’s only for a few hours a day.”
She whirled on me. “He is not medically cleared to go back to work.”
“Yes, but he’s only two days away from being that and he isn’t working full shifts.”
She slammed her hands on her ample hips and leaned scarily toward me. “And he’s doing that not medically cleared for work.”
I didn’t know what to do.
I looked at Harlow, but since her man had never been shot (luckily), she had nothing for me. Raye was picking up food from the food window (and Cap had never been shot either). And Jessie was shaking a cocktail (and I didn’t think Eric had ever been shot, but he hadn’t been since he was with Jessie). I didn’t know where Shanti was, but she didn’t have a Hottie Squad guy (yet?). Therefore, no help there either.
As such, I did the only thing I could do.
I located my phone in my server apron, pulled it out and called Knox.
I did all of this under the eagle eye of Marjorie (and the not-so-eagle eyes of Harlow and The Kevster, but they were both watching).
“Hey, honey,” he answered.
“Marjorie’s here,” I said.
“Shit,” he muttered.
“I think you should probably go home and rest,” I said.
“Is she standing right there?”
“Yes.”
“Is this performative?”
“Totally.”
He chuckled.
“It’s only two days until the all-clear,” I said (yes, still performing).
“Do you have any fuckin’ clue how hot you are riding my dick?”
My nipples rose to attention.
Oh my God!
He wasn’t playing fair!
“Knox!” I snapped.
“I almost blew about five times this morning before I got you there.”
That got a clit tingle between my legs.
“This isn’t cool,” I clipped.
“Yeah, but it makes you look like you’re frustrated with me, which will make Marjorie think you did your best, I refused to fold, but it isn’t your fault I’m not gonna leave work because she has the employee handbook memorized.”
More proof he was a diabolical genius.
However…
Curious.
“Is there a post-gunshot-wound section in the NI&S employee handbook?” I asked.
“No clue. I haven’t read it.”
“Knox, you can get in trouble for things like that.”
“Relax, baby. None of the guys have read it. We didn’t even have one until Marjorie came on board. And Mace didn’t ask her to write one. I think Mace has even torn pages out of his when he needed scrap paper to write something down.”
In the face of Marjorie, I couldn’t laugh.
I really couldn’t laugh.
I didn’t laugh.
I went back to playing my role. “Well, don’t turn to me when you get in trouble with your doctors.”
“I won’t. By the way, that appointment is Thursday at two. You’re working. Since she’s there, can you ask Marjorie if she’ll take me?”
“Heck no,” I retorted. “I’ll talk to Tito, get the time off.” I glanced at Marjorie and finished, “I want to hear what the medical professionals have to say with my own ears.”
She sniffed in approval.
“Okay, baby. Love you,” Knox said in my ear.
That didn’t affect my nipples or other.
That warmed my heart, melted my belly and made my toes curl.
“Love you too.”
“And I love you two together,” Harlow squeaked when I hung up.
I shot her a smile then told Marjorie, “He isn’t listening to me either.”
“I should have known,” Marjorie groused.
“But, while you’re here, can we get you a coffee? Or Lucia’s special today is Vietnamese egg roll burritos. And they’re fantastic,” I offered.
“Vietnamese egg roll burritos?” Marjorie asked.
“She’s all about the fusion,” I explained.
“Noodles…in a burrito?” she asked.
“Trust me, it works,” I answered.
“I haven’t had lunch yet,” she said.
“I’ll put your order in,” I told her.
“Make that a double,” The Kevster said.
“They have pork in them,” I shared. “Or you could go shrimp.”
“Can I have one of each?”
So, not vegetarian.
That skewed him to my parents’ end of the hippie spectrum.
“You guys gonna stay or take out?” I asked.
The Kevster threw his arms wide. “And miss soaking in more of this awesome vibe? I’m staying.” He looked to Marjorie. “Wanna join me?”
The way she gave him a once-over, I thought she’d dis him.