over a decade since he'd been in high school, but the bell kept ringing. Growling at his inability to sleep, he pulled his pillow over his head, barely stirring when a woman huffed beside him. Then the bell sounded again, even though he wasn't really asleep.
"Yeah?" Zara croaked. Then she patted his arm. "Jason, phone. It's Dez."
He was awake now. Taking the phone with one hand, he pulled his fianc茅e against his side with the other. "Dez?"
"I need you at the warehouse," she said. "I know it's early, but I was just about to head home when I checked the new upload. Jason, there's chatter on the KoG forums. Something's coming, and it's coming today."
"How much time do I have?" he asked.
"No idea," she admitted. "Wake up Braden and Rhaven while you're at it? They'll want to be in on this."
"Yeah. Give me ten."
He hung up and leaned over to kiss the top of Zara's head. "Gotta go to the office. You want to catch a ride with Braden and Rhaven?"
"Yeah," she agreed. "I'll make you coffee."
He rolled a little more so he was over her. "And that's why I love you." Then he stole a quick kiss and kept going, leaving the bed from her side.
Zara just laughed at the mess he'd made of the blankets. "Asshole," she teased. "Hey, take Crysis outside first? Sounds like you'll need him with you."
"That's where I'm going," he promised, quickly pulling on a pair of jeans.
He didn't bother with a shirt. Crysis was already doing his little dance, which meant he really had to go. In other words, there was no time for shoes either. Jason headed to the door, unlocked it, and tossed it open. The dog immediately bolted to the grass, leaving his owner to keep up. Jason didn't bother. He simply moved to the railing that let him overlook the grassy area below.
Then an older woman stepped out from the door across the hall. "Is that your dog?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," he assured her. "Service dog, so he's a good boy."
She just smiled at him sweetly. "Well, the management gets grumpy if we don't pick up the poo." Then her eyes ran over him. "So you're staying with Braden?"
"Yes, ma'am. He's a friend."
The lady scoffed. "I know that boy better than that. I hope things work out better with you than the last one. I really liked that girl, too."
"Rhaven?" Jason asked.
The woman paused. "You know her?" Then she sighed. "Oh, I've made a mess of things again. I'm sorry. I'm Doris and really not trying to be nosy. I just take care of his cat, and I worry about that boy."
"Braden and Rhaven are still together," Jason assured her. "Rhaven and my fianc茅e are friends, so we're visiting for a few days. That's all."
"Oh!" Doris flapped her hand. "Sorry. You just look like the kind of guys he - " She stopped as the door behind Jason opened.
Braden stepped out. "I'll get Crysis," he promised before turning to Doris. "I am not sleeping with every person I bring home, Mrs. Carmichael. Jason is not my type. Not at all."
"Have fun with that," Jason teased. "Oh, and Dez wants us all to head to the warehouse. Can you give Zara a ride?"
"She just woke us up and said the same," Braden assured him. "So, we're good. Shoes. Shirt." And he held up a plastic bag. "I'll handle the other shit."
"Owe you," Jason told him.
As he headed back inside, he heard Doris scolding Braden. "How am I supposed to know these things? And I really like Rhaven. She's good for you, but no... You boys just think about nothing but sex, sex, sex, and I worry about you!"
Jason couldn't help but laugh. He also needed to get his ass in gear. First, he stopped by the bathroom. Then he found a shirt, socks, and shoes. When that was done, he grabbed his keys, passed through the kitchen where Zara had just finished making him a coffee, gave her a kiss, and then headed back outside.
"Crysis, truck," he ordered the dog. But he paused to clasp Braden's arm. "I think the girls need you inside. I got Crysis."
"Thanks," Braden said, catching his eyes to prove he meant for getting him away from his neighbor. "Gotta get ready for work, Mrs. Carmichael. Sorry to cut this short."
"Well, it's good to see your friends, Braden," the woman said, smiling kindly at Jason.
Somehow, that was exactly the kind of person Braden needed next door.