Page 35 of Justice for JoElla

“Hell yeah, we notice if you’re not here. I don’t give a damn if you bring a woman in, as long as you’re not screaming and banging the headboard on the wall. But at least let us know if you’re not coming in.”

“I will. I’m sorry.”

“By the way, just exactly where the hell are you?”

“I’m going to get breakfast in a few, so I won’t be in until a little later.”

“I asked you?”

“So I’ll see you in a bit. Bye.” With that, he hung up the phone and rolled to look across the bed.

JoElla lay there, naked with the sheet pulled up to her waist, an arm thrown across her eyes, lips barely parted, and she was snoring.Snoring. Not loudly, but it was still snoring. He didn’t snore, or at least he didn’t think so. Maria had never said anything about it if he had. With another glance at his phone, he took in the time?almost eight thirty. Then he scooted toward her, intending to pull her to him. He’d no more than wrapped an arm over her when she sat straight up and hit him in the head with the knuckle of her middle finger. “OWWWW!”

“Oh! Brandon! Shit! Sorry!”

The girl could pack a wallop. “Holy hell! Why did you hit me?”

“I forgot you were here and came up swinging. You startled me.”

Still rubbing the side of his head, he winced. “Obviously used to sleeping alone.”

“Oh, yeah. Always.”

“So is that my cue to leave?” If she’d wanted to discourage him from staying, she’d definitely found a way.

“Only if you want to.”

“I’m not sure. Maybe I should. Are you going to attack me every time I touch you?”

JoElla snorted. “Buddy, if I were attacking you, you’d definitely know it.”

“Jesus, I don’t think you’re safe to be around.”

She dropped to the mattress and threw her arm across her eyes again. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all along. I’m N-S-F-W, N-S-F-H, and definitely N-S-F-K.”

“K?”

“Kids.”

“Oh. Right.” His head had finally quit throbbing, and he lay there, wondering if he should try to touch her again. “Do I need to ask your permission to touch you?”

“I dunno. Do you want to keep getting smacked in the head?”

“Not really, no.”

“Then probably yes.”

“Wow. Okay then. So… I had an idea for something fun to do today.”

She snorted again. Seemed that was her typical mode of speaking. “Oh, yeah? Changed your mind?”

“No. I have not.”

“You probably should.”

He glared at her. “I… am trying… to be… nice… to you. You could at least meet me halfway, damn it.”

“Sorry.”