Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“I’ll be okay.”
“The B&B still coming along?”
“Won’t be long until we’ll be ready to open,” I say, glad to talk about something normal and not jam-packed with emotions.
“Still want me to visit?”
His tone is odd. So un-Adrian.
“Always,” I say slowly. “What’s up?”
“You said you do weddings?”
I nearly drop my phone because I’m sensing a change in my best friend—one that he desperately needed. “Indeed. Who’s the lucky couple?”
“Me and Rylan.”
“You’re getting married?” I rush out, shock bleeding into my words. “Since when, man? I haven’t seen you serious with any woman—”
“I love him,” Adrian interrupts. “And I don’t want to let him get away.”
Him.
Interesting.
“And you think marrying the guy is going to make him put up with your grumpy ass forever?”
“Yes.”
So cut and dry with this guy.
“Quick question, Adrian. Is Rylan the assistant with the inappropriate pants you wanted to fire?”
“Yes, and this is all your fault,” he growls. “You told me to get to know him.”
“As in find out his interests, not fall for the guy.”
“Too late. You set the ball into motion. Now I love him. Can’t turn back now.”
I’ve never known this man to ever choose something for himself. Something that makes him happy. In this case, someone.
“No, you’re right,” I admit, my gaze unwillingly drifting to Jax. “When you fall in love, there’s no turning back.”
Adrian sighs as though relieved for the confirmation. “It’s settled then. We’ll get married as soon as you’re able to host the wedding. You’ll be my best man of course.”
I bet he proposed to poor Rylan in a similar fashion…as in forgot to ask the question at all and instead told him of their engagement.
“Of course,” I say with a small smile. “We’ll talk more soon when you can tell me the full story.”
“I’m sure when you meet Ry, he’ll be more than happy to tell you every goddamn detail, even the unpleasant ones.” The irritation in his tone is laced with fondness.
“Every single one,” a man—whom I’m assuming is Rylan—agrees on the other line. “Goodbye, Mr. Kincaid. I look forward to getting to know you.”
The phone call ends and I tuck it away into my pocket, unable to hide the smile of happiness. Jax, sensing my mood, makes his way back into my arms again. His embrace is warm and comforting. For a moment, I can imagine this being my safe place forever.
“Back there in the hallway,” Jax says, regret in his tone, “was a mistake. I pulled away, letting fear drive me, when all I wanted to do was pull you closer. Never again. I’m not ashamed of you, of my sexuality, or of us. I’m not afraid either. I’m so sorry.”
Of course, I feel like an asshole now. I unfairly took out my stress on Jax in the hallway when all he’s done is be the rock I desperately need. “If you’re not ready—”
“I am ready.” Firm. Confident. Proud. “I don’t want to be hidden away in the closet when I can be out living my life with you. I love you, Dante Kincaid.”
Warmth floods through me. “I love you too, Sheriff. I don’t know where this will all go, but, as long as we go together, I trust you’ll take us where we need to be.”
“Damn straight I will. You take care of your family, but it’s time you let me take care of you.”
Jaxson
Screeches can be heard above me, which can only mean one thing.
Someone’s getting a bath.
Cato wrangled up yet another stray cat. I’m not taking this one. I’m not. Ox and Pirate and Smoky are it for me. That’s all I can take. No. More. Cats.
I have to get the hell out of the station before he brings it down later because my ass has a hard time saying no to Cato when he gives me his sad be a daddy for this kitty face.
I’d love nothing more than to leave the station and head over to Dante’s. Callan came home this morning and his siblings were getting him all settled in. The doctor wanted him up and moving around, which seemed crazy to me considering the head injury he incurred and subsequent surgery, but last night he was roaming all over that hospital, eager to get discharged.
Later, I’ll check in on him and see if I can’t phrase my questions in a different way that might get him to trip up, revealing something about the person who did this to him.
He knows.
I know he knows.
I also know he’s terrified.
But, if he will tell me who did this, then I can arrest the motherfucker, pinning as many crimes as I can on them so they go away for a really, really long time.
“Stay still and let me wash you, you insane mongrel, or else Daddy won’t take you home with him!” Cato bellows from upstairs.