38. Bronson

brONSON

I pulledmy cruiser up alongside Lyric's vehicle.

Lyric leisurely dropped his driver side window as both he and Kace shook their heads, laughing.

Kace stretched his body across the car, practically crawling in his friend's lap to yell, "You just couldn't handle it, could you?"

I flipped him the bird. "Whatever, at least I'm worried about my woman and not practically in some man's lap, steaming up the windows."

Lyric turned toward Kace and shoved him. "Get your ass in your own seat dude, you're causing a scene."

The two of them were turning into another Gyth and Kace comedy show. I swear the two of them were always going at it.

Kace scoffed. "It's dark and nobody is around, how can I cause a scene?"

I looked around the neighborhood and when I turned back toward Lyric, he was pointing at Alley's, where all the ladies were peering out the window. Just then my phone dinged from the console and I picked it up to find a text from Lake.

Lake: You just couldn't help yourself, huh?

She sounded like Kace.

Me: Not when it comes to you, Cupcake.

Lake: Well, since you're already here, I think you should kiss me.

That sounded like a damn good plan to me. I put my car in reverse and pulled behind Lyric's to park.

Me: Stay there, I'm coming to you.

After what happened with Capri on their sleepover last time, I didn't want Lake outside by the cars.

Lake: Fine, but hurry, I miss you.

I was out of the car and jogging toward the front door in a flash.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kace yelled out his window.

Without stopping, I looked over my shoulder. "Kissing my woman goodnight."

Next thing I knew Kace and Lyric were right behind me, as the door opened.

"That's a damn good idea," Lyric said.

"Fuckers, you're ruining my moment," I joked.

They just laughed. We were all greeted at the door by Lake, Ruby, and Teal, who threw their arms around our necks, each planting a kiss on our lips at once.

Some of the ladies were sighing, but not Alley.

I'd know her sarcastic, sassy voice anywhere, even if I wasn't looking at her and trying to enjoy my woman's lips.

"This is a crock of shit. Men are off limits for the rest of the night," she said.

Grudgingly, I pulled my mouth from Lake's and looked over her shoulder at the playful, venom spitting woman. There she stood with a neon, rainbow-colored baseball bat. Her grin was devious.

I decided to give it right back. "Don't even think about swinging that thing or I'll put you in the backseat of my car and your man will be picking you up from jail."

"Ha, it's a damn good thing my husband is a lawyer then isn't it. Just try it and we'll see how it all plays out," Alley fired back with her usual flare of sass.

Lyric snickered from beside me and Kace said, "You're braver than me, man."

"Umm, babe," Lake whispered. "You might want to run."

The women standing behind Alley started cackling when she lifted the bat and took a step toward me.

"Shoo," she said, pointing the bat straight out at me. "All of you." She waved it in Lyric and Kace's direction next and they threw their hands in the air.

Alley was a damn ball buster, but everyone knew she had a heart of gold and her bark was worse than her bite. Besides, she was a hoot to rile up.

I gave Lake a quick kiss and took a step back, throwing my hands up in surrender like the others. As we all three backed away, the ladies laughed and Alley had a smug-smirk on her face.

"Love you, babe, see you in the morning," I called out, halfway across the yard.

"Love you too!" she called back.

When I reached my car, I looked back at the house. All the ladies were back safely inside and the door was firmly shut. I said goodbye to the guys and hopped back in my vehicle. I was on duty but on a break and spending those moments with Lake was the best thing I could have done.

My phone dinged when I was back behind the wheel.

Lake: Thanks for the kiss, sexy. I'm not sure it will tide me over until morning, but at least I have your shirt. And my sexy panties.

I groaned as my groin tightened behind my zipper.

Me: You're gonna pay for that.

Lake: Promises, promises.

I'd promise her the world if it was feasible.