Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Because they were just as nosy as I was.
“They’ve been trying to behave and not chat too much, but once they knew I already knew you guys, it seemed like they couldn’t help themselves…and well, it didn’t seem bad nosy?” Now I wasn’t so sure, but when Brady and Jude both shrugged, I realized it was probably going to be fine.
“So my mother made sure Jude wouldn’t have a roommate?” Brady might’ve been asking me the question but he was looking at Jude. “Maybe that was what she meant by her ‘fun secret’?”
Probably.
“She probably thought housing was going to tell us?” Jude was glancing back and forth between me and Brady. “It sounds like there was a disconnect somewhere.”
“I agree.” Thinking about it, I couldn’t help shrugging. “That’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“There’s a reason why everyone says communication is so important.” Brady shook his head like he thought the whole thing was crazy. “I’m not going to question that any longer.”
He shouldn’t have questioned it before.
“So what are you going to do about the room?” Cashel finally seemed at ease enough to jump into the conversation and I was glad to see it. “Do you want help moving some of the toys downstairs or are you picturing something else?”
It was a very good question that neither man seemed to have a quick answer for.
Jude was the first to get back on track, though. “We’ve got a few things to discuss first but setting up a playroom with some of the toys is going to be a good idea.”
A few things to discuss?
Part of me wanted to ask what they had to work out, but I knew it wasn’t my place.
It was Gareth’s.
“What do you need to work out?” Gareth looked between the two of them, curious and confused. “That’s code for something, right?”
Oh yes.
Thankfully Brady was just as chatty as Gareth was. “I’m not supposed to ask you about it yet, but lying is worse than being overly nosy, so I have to answer your question. There’s no way around it.”
I had a feeling that nosy part was a dig at me, but I approved of anything that got us more of Brady’s wonderful logic, so I wasn’t going to get offended.
“Jude and I were talking about next year and what to do and where we wanted to live and if we were ready to live together and what steps we should take, but I couldn’t leave you guys alone but talking about it was pushy and you might not be ready for those kinds of discussions.” Brady glanced curiously between all three of us as the insane flood of information finally stopped. “Are you?”
I could see both sides of the issue, so I understood why Brady wanted to talk and Jude hadn’t wanted to push.
“Are we what?” Gareth seemed to have gotten lost in the convoluted explanation because he gave Cashel a confused look, obviously asking for a translation.
“Ready for discussions about how we want to live next year.” Cashel was happy to help and it looked like his brain was going full steam ahead. “Brady wants to live with Jude in one of the two-bedroom units, but he’s worried that we’ll feel left out since we’ve lived together since freshman year.”
“Oh.” Gareth quickly jumped back on track once Cashel cleared things up. “Well, I was worried that us going to stay with Bates on the weekend would leave Brady alone too much, so this is perfect.”
Cashel and I both nodded in unison, but I let him take the conversational lead. “Taking care of Brady is really important to us and it seemed like a big job for just one person.”
“Who’ll babysit when you have to leave him alone?” Gareth’s helpful question had Brady pouting and Jude’s mouth dropping open.
Had he not realized the babysitting part?
“I haven’t used glitter or set anything on fire in months.” Glaring adorably, Brady had the most wonderful chaos threshold. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
The way Cashel’s, Gareth’s, and Jude’s heads all cocked to the side at the same time said I wasn’t the only one who was questioning that declaration.
“I think you just need to remember how important you are to everyone.” It seemed like my turn to try to smooth things over before the crazy little continued to pout. “They want to make sure you’re safe and happy. Not many people, little or not, can say that. You have a wonderful family.”
And crisis averted.
“I do.” Beaming, Brady sighed and looked at everyone like they were so sweet and romantic.
Hmm…had Gareth gotten that look from Brady or had Brady gotten it from Gareth?
“I have a wonderful family, and family shares secrets and helps each other, right?” Leaning his elbows on the table, Brady rested his head in his hands and looked adorably innocent.