Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Rather than send the text, he stepped closer and passed the phone to Canaan. His eyes went wide and the best smile spread across his face, sending warmth through Renzo’s insides and almost making up for his certainty that this was a bad idea.
“Actually, my phone just beeped with a message. Looks like I’ll be able to bring my guy after all. He’s still gotta find out about leave, I’m sure.” He looked at Renzo for confirmation, and Renzo nodded. The senior chief would probably be happy to hear from him, unless Renzo told him the full story, which he had no intention of doing. Fewer people who knew the extent to which he was about to make an idiot of himself the better.
“But yeah, we should be there.” Canaan’s voice was way happier now. He wrapped up the call with a promise to email someone named Kelly. Pocketing the phone, he returned to the car.
“Really? Man, I am going to owe you so huge.” Canaan gave him another smile that made Renzo’s nerves crackle like sparks on det cord. He could easily get addicted to those looks, and he needed to remind himself that he was most likely getting played here. Sure, Canaan wasn’t as blatant as Toby had been, but there was no denying that he was using Renzo to get what he wanted from his friends. “For reals. Anything you want.”
“Don’t get back together with that Damian guy.”
“Who said—”
“I could tell you guys have history.” That much had been obvious. “And I’m serious. You want a fake boyfriend for the weekend? Don’t go fucking around on me. I’m not coming so you can bang the ex.”
“Absolutely.” Canaan nodded so hard Renzo worried for his neck muscles. “I’ll treat you just like I would a real boyfriend—and I don’t cheat. I’m a good boyfriend, promise.” He grinned, but Renzo didn’t take the bait and smile back. Smile fading, Canaan sighed. “This isn’t a power play to make Damian jealous. I just want to hang with the band. I haven’t seen them in a long time, and I miss them. I grew up with all of them.”
“I get it. It’s like a family reunion for you.”
“Exactly.” Canaan steadied the spare while Renzo tightened the lug nuts by hand. “And you’ll have fun. You already like their music. Damian notwithstanding, the other guys are great.”
“Hope so.” Renzo wasn’t going along to be a band groupie, but he didn’t know how to say that without giving away too much about how much he wanted this for Canaan. “And I meant it about taking my truck. Not sure I trust this car.”
“Hey, Trixie’s a good car. She doesn’t usually give me this much trouble.” Canaan helped him remove the jack before Renzo tightened the lug nuts with the wrench.
“Trixie, huh?”
Canaan rubbed the base of his neck. “My grandfather names all his cars. And I can’t tell you how much better I’ll feel not leaving him without a car.”
“You live with your grandfather?”
“Yeah.” The defensive tone was back in Canaan’s voice.
“I think it’s neat, man. I’m all about family.” Renzo wasn’t lying there. Seeing that Canaan cared about his grandfather settled him, made him respect Canaan a little more, feel better about doing the guy a solid.
“Good.” Helping Renzo put the flat tire and equipment back in the trunk, Canaan brightened. “So, how about that juice? We can plan out the trip.”
“Guess that’s smart.” It was probably the only thing that was. He sure as hell wasn’t being smart agreeing to this, but if he was going along, they were going to do this right. No unexpected surprises. And he was going into this thing with his eyes wide open. No more getting dazzled by Canaan’s grin. This was a favor he was doing, not a romantic gesture. He just hoped he didn’t regret it too much.
Chapter Five
“If you keep pacing, you’ll wear a hole in the rug.” Canaan’s grandfather came into the living room where Canaan was watching the driveway for Renzo’s arrival. It was so early that street lights were still on, early light of dawn creeping over the neighborhood. Renzo, he of the obsessive planning, had decided that they should get an early start, avoid as much of San Diego rush hour as they could. Morning people like Renzo and Grandpa confused Canaan. Grandpa was already fully dressed, paper under his arm, and a half-eaten bagel in his hand.
“I’m not pacing.” Canaan flopped on the couch, wishing it were his bed. Even though he was still sleepy, he was also wired. Sunday night they’d hashed out most of the specifics for the trip over frozen yogurt, but that hadn’t stopped Renzo from sending questions and reminders each of the past three nights. He got an A-plus in preparation, that was for sure.