Badges and Bikes

Chapter 23

Ashton's POV***

I wake up and go to the gym by five o'clock. Logan holds his arms open for his hug. I give him one. I paired my phone up to the speakers. I get started with the treadmill. I was on the Jacob's Ladder when I see Thane comes into see me.

I smile at my love. "Good morning, sweetheart! Started without me?" He asks with a smile.

"Good morning, my love! You snooze, you lose! Early bird and all that." I laugh as he did.

I get off the ladder and reach for a kiss. Thane didn't disappoint. The kiss was so sweet and sensual. We workout side by side as we talk. As we finish the exercise, Thane asked about the unusual music choice for a gym.

"This music is odd for a gym. The usual music is hard rock or rap. Not music from the eighties."

I laugh. "That is because this is my music. The uncles let me play my personal music when I am here early or late. Now I am going to shower." I turn and head to the showers as Thane does the same. We meet back up ten minutes later by the counter.

"Here you go, Ashy. That way we don't have to get up at the ass crack of still dark to open the gym." Logan hands me a key to the back door. "You know the code." I put the key in my pocket and went for a hug. "Now get going. I know that you have things to conquer today. Hollar if you need us. We love you, Ashy." He handed both me and Thane, a cold bottle of water.

"Thanks uncle L! You are my favorite!" I kiss his cheek as he laughs.

"One of these days, you will have to tell us why you tell all of us the same thing."

"Not if I can help it. Bye, uncle!" The guys shake hands as I open the door.

"Hey! You forgot to disconnect your phone from the system." I did that immediately as I walk to my car.

"Are we meeting at the diner across from the precinct? That is where I told Justice and Marissa." Thane asked me.

"That works for me. I will see you there." I gave him a kiss.

We drive to the diner that sits by the city park and across from the precinct. I get out of the Jeep and joined Thane at the door. We enter the diner and see Max and Marissa sitting in a booth with Marissa's boyfriend, Greg.

"Good morning, everyone! How are you doing this morning?" I sat down next to Max and he gives me a quick kiss.

"Good morning, angel. I am better now that I see you." Max responds.

"Good morning, Ashton. It is good to see you again."

"It is good to see you too. Have you ordered?" I reply.

They had not and the waitress approached and took our orders. We talked as a group while we waited. "So why do you call all of your uncles your favorite?" Thane asked with a smile.

"Which one was it today?" Max asked.

"Logan." Thane replied with a chuckle.

"Because they all have special chacteristics that sets them apart. They are all my favorite in different areas. So, I tell them that they are all my favorite. I started that years ago. They got together and talked about what I call them. I think that some alcohol and bragging was involved."

We ate the breakfast and talked about family and our futures. 

"Well, I guess that this a good time to tell you all that Greg has asked me to marry him, and I excepted. We will be getting married soon." Marissa said with a huge smile. One that said that if she could smile bigger, she would. Her ring is very beautiful. A full carat diamond in a marquee cut set on a silver band.