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Covering Ollie (Police and Fire: Operation Alpha) (On Call Book 2)

Page 28

by Freya Barker


  I chuckle at the horrified look on her face.

  Yeah, I definitely like her much better like this.

  “Their dad any help?” I probe.

  “Ha!” she barks out loudly. “Haven’t seen or heard from him in five years. Not that he was any help before, mind you. Too busy plotting his desertion with his new pregnant plaything.” She glances over, takes in my shocked look, and shrugs apologetically. “Sorry. Too much, I know.”

  “I asked,” I remind her.

  “Not for my life story.”

  “It was hardly that,” I assure her. “But insightful all the same.” I lean closer and bump her shoulder with mine. “Besides, sounds like we have more in common than our sons playing on the same team.”

  She looks at me curiously. “Yeah? How so?”

  “Six years ago my ex walked out on us without as much as a glance back,” I share.

  “For real? She walked out on her own child?” She shakes her head sharply. “I just don’t get some people. I mean, Jeremy was an ass, and I really shouldn’t be that surprised he bailed, but a mother abandoning her baby? That is just mind boggling to me.”

  I stifle a smile at the vehemence in her tone and the angry set of her jaw. I don’t bother pointing out that a father abandoning three children is no less incomprehensible. At least to me.

  Loud cheers go up around us, drawing my attention to the field where I just catch Max high-fiving Marya’s son who apparently scored. On my feet in a flash, I stick my fingers in my mouth and whistle my approval. Max’s head instantly swivels in my direction, a big grin on his face, and the other boy follows suit, his smile more subdued.

  “What just happened?” Marya asks in a soft voice as sit back down beside her.

  “Your kid just scored a goal.”

  Her face breaks open in a bright smile. “For real?” She turns to the field where the boys are already resuming the game, jumps up and cups her hands around her mouth. “Yay, Liam! You rock!” she yells just as the crowd settles down again. Her son whips around before ducking his head quickly, a look of mortification on his face. Oblivious to the attention she’s drawn, she drops back down in her seat, the smile still on her face. “Righteous,” she whispers.

  Oh yeah, I’m liking this Marya. Seriously fucking cute.

  When the game is over—the Chargers win with that single goal—Liam and Max walk over like they’ve been buds forever.

  “Great job, boys,” I tell them. Liam looks up with a cautious grin.

  “Proud of you, kidlet.” Marya ruffles his hair, and he hides a smile as he ducks her touch.

  “Dad, Liam is WillIAm103 in my Fortnite group,” Max announces breathlessly.

  Like his dad, my son likes his PS4 games, Fortnite being his top favorite. Instead of forbidding him to play the game, I decided to join him. Better to monitor what he’s up to and who he interacts with, then to have him play it on the sly without any supervision. WillIAm103 is the handle of one of the kids he sometimes plays with online.

  “No kidding? Cool to meet you, Liam. I’m Max’s dad.” I stick my hand out which the boy hesitantly takes.

  “Is that the game you and your brother spend most your time playing downstairs?” Marya asks her son.

  “Yeah.” The bored tone of his voice doesn’t match the sharp side-look he darts her way.

  “Dad is 10-CODE,” Max babbles on happily, sharing my handle with his new friend. I assume he’s already shared his: BitMax1.

  “Max, maybe you wanna say hello to Liam’s mom first?”

  My kid is borderline ADHD, which means he rarely takes a breath to think. My reminder registers in the bashful look he shoots my way before turning to Marya.

  “Hey, Liam’s mom,” he says, sticking out his grubby hand. It doesn’t seem to bother Marya as she grabs onto it. “Marya,” she corrects. “Nice to meet you, Max.” She lets him go. “So I’m guessing you guys didn’t know you were playing on the same team?”

  “Nope.” This from Max. “I’ve seen him around at school but I’m in the fifth grade and Liam is in six. I never even knew he was WillIAm103.”

  “Go figure,” Marya says on a smile.

  “That’s what I said,” Max grins back. “Hey, you guys wanna come get a burger? There’s this awesome diner Dad always takes me to after the game.”

  “Bud,” I caution him in a soft voice. Like I said, he leaps before he looks.

  “I mean, if that’s okay?” He turns his trademarked look of innocence my way. Little late, kiddo.

  I’m about to answer when Marya jumps in. “Not this time,” she quickly responds with an awkward smile at me. “We have to go pick up Liam’s brothers at their Grandma before they decimate her fridge again. Maybe some other time?”

  “Cool,” is Max’s response. “Hey,” he turns to Liam as they start walking. “I didn’t know you had brothers. Wicked. I don’t have brothers or sisters.”

  Liam, who remained quiet throughout most of the exchange, seems to have no issue talking to Max as they make their way over to the parking lot. Marya and me follow behind.

  “He’s a talker,” she notes.

  “That he is.”

  “My youngest is like that. Came out flapping his lips. Not a moody bone in his body, unlike his older brothers.”

  “Yup. That’s Max,” I confirm, watching as the boys stop beside a beat-up Jeep. Presumably hers. I find I’m not quite ready to let her go so easily. “Look…” I stop her with a hand on her arm. “Not sure what next week’ll look like—my work can be a bit unpredictable, which means it’s possible my mom and stepdad show up with Max—but if I’m at the game, why don’t we try for that burger then?” I can tell before she even opens her mouth she’s going to blow me off, so I quickly add, “It’s just a burger, the kids’ll love it, and they have seriously fucking good milkshakes too.”

  A battle wages on her face, before she finally settles on resigned. “Okay. I guess we can do just burgers.”

  “Great. Look forward to it.”

  “I do…” She hesitates and then says, “I’ll see you later,” before joining the boys by her car.

  I call out to Max who comes bounding to my side as I unlock my new Ford Bronco. Casting one last look over my shoulder, I just see Marya’s round ass disappear in her Jeep before hopping behind the wheel myself.

  I barely hear Max’s chatter on the way to Sonya’s Diner, my mind is on that sentence the pretty brunette left unfinished. I do too.

  To get notified when code 10-CODE releases, follow me on: AMAZON

  About the Author

  Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

  Driven to make her books about 'real' people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.

  A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

  Freya

  Website

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  or mailto:freyabarker.writes@gmail.com

  Also By Freya Barker

  CEDAR TREE SERIES:

  SLIM TO NONE

  HUNDRED TO ONE

  AGAINST ME

  CLEAN LINES

  UPPER HAND

  LIKE ARROWS

  HEAD START

  PORTLAND, ME, NOVELS:

  FROM DUST

  CRUEL WATER

  THROUGH FIRE

  STILL AIR

  SNAPSHOT SERIES:

  SHUTTER SPEED

  FREEZE FRAME

  IDEAL IMA

GE

  PICTURE PERFECT (coming soon!)

  NORTHERN LIGHTS COLLECTION:

  A CHANGE IN TIDE

  A CHANGE OF VIEW

  A CHANGE OF PACE

  ROCK POINT SERIES:

  KEEPING 6

  CABIN 12

  HWY 550

  (coming February 19)

  There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com

  You can also visit our Amazon page at:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha

  Special Forces: Operation Alpha World

  Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold

  Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey

  Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle

  Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah

  Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett

  Shauna Allen: Saving Grace

  Brynne Asher: Blackburn

  Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine

  Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei

  Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy

  Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage

  Victoria Bright: Going Ghost

  Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker

  Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie

  Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley

  Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven

  Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil

  Sue Coletta: Hacked

  Melissa Combs: Gallant

  KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina

  Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah

  Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery

  Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation

  Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia

  Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet

  Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy

  Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair

  Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie

  Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze

  Silver James: Rescue Moon

  Silver James: SEAL Moon

  Silver James: Assassin’s Moon

  Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon

  Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia

  Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava

  Heather Long: Securing Arizona

  Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude

  Heather Long: Protecting Pilar

  Heather Long: Covering Coco

  Gennita Low: No Protection

  Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse

  Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck

  Margaret Madigan: Buck the System

  Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck

  Margaret Madigan: December Chill

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin

  KD Michaels: Saving Laura

  KD Michaels: Protecting Shane

  KD Michaels: Avenging Angels

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2

  Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt

  Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate

  Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart

  Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi

  Mary B Moore: Force Protection

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty

  MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets

  Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty

  Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa

  Lainey Reese: Protecting New York

  Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily

  Jen Talty: Burning Desire

  Jen Talty: Burning Kiss

  Jen Talty: Burning Skies

  Jen Talty: Burning Lies

  Jen Talty: Burning Heart

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Us

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth

  Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World

  Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn

  KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen

  Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma

  Barb Han: Kace

  Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane

  Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright

  As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.

  SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series

  Securing Caite

  Securing Brenae (novella) (April 2019)

  Securing Sidney (May 2019)

  Securing Piper (Aug 2019)

  Securing Zoey (Jan 2020)

  Securing Avery (TBA)

  Securing Kalee (TBA)

  Delta Force Heroes Series

  Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)

  Rescuing Aimee (novella)

  Rescuing Emily

  Rescuing Harley

  Marrying Emily

  Rescuing Kassie

  Rescuing Bryn

  Rescuing Casey

  Rescuing Sadie

  Rescuing Wendy

  Rescuing Mary

  Rescuing Macie (April 2019)

  Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series

  Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)

  Justice for Mickie

  Justice for Corrie

  Justice for Laine (novella)

  Shelter for Elizabeth

  Justice for Boone

  Shelter for Adeline

  Shelter for Sophie

  Justice for Erin

  Justice for Milena

  Shelter for Blythe

  Justice for Hope

  Shelter for Quinn

  Shelter for Koren (July 2019)

  Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)

  SEAL of Protection Series

  Protecting Caroline (FREE!)

  Protecting Alabama

  Protecting Fiona

  Marrying Caroline (novella)

  Protecting Summer

  Protecting Cheyenne

  Protecting Jessyka

  Protecting Julie (novella)

  Protecting Melody

  Protecting the Future

  Protecting Kiera (novella)

  Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)

  Protecting Dakota

  New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

  She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

  If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.

  www.stokeraces.com

  www.AcesPress.com

  susan@stokeraces.com

 

 

 


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