Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
I could have gone out with Lachlan and Maddox tonight, but honestly, the random hookups and nights out at the bar don’t do it for me anymore. I blame Roman and Legend for opening my eyes to what healthy, happy relationships look like. I’m envious of them, and I want what they have. Something tells me I’m not going to find it at a bar. Who knows, maybe I will, but I’m just not feeling it.
I get the same invitations from her best friend, Monroe, and Legend to their place across the street. Again, I accept sparingly, because it’s not their job to keep me fed or entertained.
With a heavy sigh, I turn off my truck, grab my phone and keys, and head inside. Flipping on the lights, I kick off my shoes and make my way toward the kitchen. I don’t really feel like cooking, so I scrounge through the fridge. The leftover Chinese I picked up on the way home two nights ago will have to do.
I don’t even bother heating it up. Instead, I stand at the island and scarf it down as I flip through the mail. Most of it is either junk mail or bills, nothing enticing. Tossing the junk mail in the trash, I set the bills aside to handle tomorrow, before turning off the lights and heading up to take a long, hot shower and go to bed. It’s been a long, exhausting day, and I’m more than ready for it to be over.
Tomorrow, it’s my turn to host our weekly Sunday get-together, and for a little while, this big old house won’t feel so lonely.
The house smells incredible, but that could be because I’m starving. Last night's leftover Chinese didn’t satisfy me, and this morning, I had a banana with my coffee and immediately started cooking. It's my week to host our Sunday lunch, dinner, or whatever you want to call it. It’s something we’ve done for a while now. It used to always be here, at my house, but now that Roman and Legend have bigger houses that have room for our group, we take turns.
This is my week, and I made a huge pot of chili. I have cornbread and peanut butter sandwiches to go with it. I like both, so I made both. I can have two bowls, one with cornbread and another with a peanut butter sandwich. I’m a growing man, and I need fuel. Besides, I know the others like it both ways as well, and we don’t have to choose, so why should we?
The front door opens and voices carry to me in the kitchen. We don’t knock; well, we do now at Roman’s and Legend’s because they’re both married, and honestly, I don’t need or want to see what happens behind closed doors. I shudder at the thought. That’s my little sister, and her best friend, who might as well also be my little sister.
Yeah, definitely knocking.
“Uncle Forty!” my sister calls out.
I smile. I love being an uncle, and I’m about to get my niece fix. “In the kitchen,” I call back. I quickly wash my hands and turn to see Emerson and Roman enter. Roman is carrying my niece, Lilly, who’s smiling widely as she babbles in her daddy’s arms.
“Please tell me you made your chili,” Roman groans. He sniffs the air and nods. He doesn’t need me to answer him, but I do it anyway.
“Yep.” I lean over and give my sister a one-armed hug, quickly pulling away and holding my hands out for Lilly. She grins and leans into me, letting me take her from her dad’s arms. “There’s my favorite girl.” I kiss her cheek, and she snuggles into me, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I see how it is. I father your niece, and you can’t even say hi to me,” Roman jokes.
“Hey, Rome.” I smile down at Lilly, rubbing her back. “Lilly, Daddy is jealous of you,” I say sweetly, running a soothing hand up and down her back.
“I’m his sister, and I barely got a one-armed hug. It was more like a quick lean in with a pat on the back,” Emerson adds.
“Sounds like your mommy is too,” I tell my niece. She lifts her head and places a wet, sloppy kiss on my cheek. “Aw, I love you, too, Lills.”
“Where is everyone else?” Roman asks.
“I’m not sure,” I reply as I bounce Lilly in my arms, making her giggle. The door opens and heavy footsteps fall.
“Aw, man, I wanted to beat you here so that he wouldn’t be a baby hog,” Maddox complains, as he and Lachlan enter the kitchen.
“Hand her over.” Lachlan opens his arms, and I spin to keep Lilly away from him. She laughs, and Lachlan grunts. He follows me, walking in a circle until I relent and hand her over. “Did you tell Forrest I’m your favorite?” he asks my niece, snuggling her close.