Always Crew by Tijan
BREN
We went bowling.
The lanes were packed, which I noted to Brock as he checked us in. Trundle was there, but helping someone else.
He handed over our shoes, saying, “Yeah. Some pics of your group got on social media. It’s been a slow trickle since then, but you’re right. We’re doing good in the bowling business again.” He gave a short laugh. “Should probably think about fixing the sign outside and repaving the parking lot.”
I grinned, taking my shoes and handing out the rest. “I kinda like the Coug r Lanes, myself.”
He chuckled, then nodded to the guys as they moved to where we’d be bowling. “You doing okay? Your head. Ready for tomorrow?”
I was supposed to go out in the field tomorrow. I knew they were planning on tracking down two jumps.
I nodded now, everything inside of me getting tight, but solid tight. Like I was finally ready tight. “I’ll be fine. I’ve had concussions before. That guy knocked me from behind. I’ll watch my back from now on, better.”
Brock’s grin turned grim. “You and me both. We shouldn’t have left you alone. That’s half on us, too.”
The door opened, and I looked over my shoulder, then did a double take. Blaise was coming in, his arm around Aspen, and the rest of Aspen’s friends were filing in, too. Her roommate, whom I’d met a couple times now, Jade. Then the floormates: Veronica and Angeline.
Jade’s gaze went right to where Jordan was picking up a bowling ball. She swallowed, taking a tiny breath.
Blaise came over, his arm lifting from Aspen’s shoulders as she and her friends went right over to where Cross and Jordan were.
Cross saw them and looked at me. His eyebrow raised. He was noting where his brother was, and I shook my head at him. I didn’t need him at my side, not for this one.
Blaise noticed the little exchange and laughed under his breath as he moved in next to me. But he didn’t say anything.
Not me. I started right in. “Your brother punched him because he worried you were going to start in and not be able to stop. He did that for you, ya know.”
“I know.”
He sounded cool and calm now, but my pulse was spiking. “Why shove him? Why throw that in his face?”
Glancing at Brock, who was standing there, Blaise sighed and turned back to me. “My relationship with your boy is complicated. You know that.”
“I know you’re a dick. That’s what I do know.”
He shrugged, saying to Brock, “We’ll do a lane by them. Five of us, six, maybe. Maybe three games?”
“Zeke?” I asked.
He skimmed a look at me before handing over his card to pay, telling Brock the shoe sizes that were needed. “Can I ask you for a favor?”
I should’ve been surprised, but I wasn’t. Not at this point, not with this guy.
“What?”
“Aspen doesn’t know that Harper did something. I kept that under wraps from her.”
I rolled my eyes. “Aren’t you Mr. Honesty? That’s holding the truth from your girl.”
He flinched, his eyes going over my shoulder for a moment. “I know. I don’t like it, but Aspen’s been through enough shit.”
“What’s the favor you want?”
“Aspen and her girls are doing a girls’ night next weekend since this one didn’t pan out. Jade’s cool. She’s got her eye on your boy, so they might ask you to join them. I know your history with female friends is spotty, but could you join them? I have a feeling Veronica is going to take them to a party, and I’m still worried about Aspen. Harper was pushed out tonight, but I don’t know if it’ll stick. He’s got some loyal friends in the house. They might push to get him back in, and if Veronica takes the girls to one of their parties, I won’t be there. You get what I’m saying?”
Fuck. “Payback?”
He nodded, his eyes flaring for a second. “Yeah.”
I already knew what I was going to say, but sighed and nodded. I knew I’d say yes the instant he mentioned Aspen’s name. Soft spot and all. “You know I will.”
He grinned, taking his card back and gathering up the shoes. “I know, but I wanted to give you a heads-up about what you might be walking into.”
I gave him a hard look back. “Right. Thanks for that. How’d you know we were here?”
“I have my ways.” That was it.
He laughed before giving me a nod and going to join the group.
I watched, noting that Blaise sat across the two lanes from Cross. Neither looked at the other, and neither spoke to the other. Jade and Veronica, on the other hand, totally talking to Jordan.
“Do I even ask?”
I turned back to my boss and shook my head. “No. We’re kinda stuck with him.”
