Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
It’s because we have bonded in ways that other people never do. I bet Boone would say the same thing.
“Maybe it’s hard for you to trust that all of this is real since so much bad stuff has happened to your family,” Boone suggests, and I have to force myself to understand what he’s saying because I got sidetracked thinking about sex.
I blink, focus on him and clear my throat. “I think there’s a little of that as well.”
Boone shifts the huge tray of pasta salad from one arm to the other and moves in closer to me. “It’s okay to continue to have doubts about all of this, Lilly. Your life has been crazy and it’s gotten even crazier. But I’m going to continue to reassure you that everything is fine and you can count on me to keep you grounded. You can also count on me to make sure you enjoy this newfound craziness. I’ve got a lot more good stuff to show you if you’ll let me.”
I rise to my tiptoes, my hand on his chest, but I don’t lean into him too much so as not to knock the pan of pasta off-balance. I brush my lips against his. “Next to Aiden, you are, without a doubt, the best person I’ve ever known.”
Boone’s face softens. “I think you’re the best person I’ve ever met. But I’m completely fine taking second fiddle to your brother.”
Lilly grins at me. “Maybe one day you two will tie.”
Laughing, Boone takes my hand. “I’m okay always being second to him. You ready to do this? Get our barbecue on?”
My nod is firm. I feel like I could conquer the world with him by my side. I’m not sure how Boone does it, and maybe I’ll never know, but just that short conversation in which he validated my feelings settles me in an almost magical way. He’s correct… I’m allowed to have happiness. Aiden is completely fine spending some time alone at the hospital, especially now that he’s doing better and has plenty of people to watch over him. I’ve met the majority of the Titans players and the women who belong to them, and they’re all wonderfully nice people.
Today is going to be a blast.
We walk through the wrought iron gate covered with sprouting vines. The little buds nestled in the young leaves tell me that within a few days, flowers will bloom.
The first people we see as we step through are Baden and Sophie. Boone told me that they bought this beautiful Victorian home last year and have been renovating it all summer.
Sophie is the first to approach, barreling toward me with her arms open. She’s one of the Titans women I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, but I’m not surprised by such a warm welcome. “I am so glad to finally meet you,” she gushes as she wraps her arms around me.
It’s in no way awkward because it feels one hundred percent genuine and I return the embrace. “Thank you for inviting me.”
Sophie waves her hand as we release. “You’re part of the Titans’ family now.”
My eyes cut to Boone because that’s quite the, um… committed statement. We haven’t been together long and “family” denotes a level of loyalty I’m not sure Boone would be comfortable labeling us as. But he smiles at Sophie as if he couldn’t agree more.
Baden and Boone shake hands and then Baden turns to me. I met him at Aiden’s birthday party. He bends down and kisses my cheek. “How’s your brother doing?”
“Better each day. He just had another bone marrow biopsy and is still leukemia-free.”
“But Baden said he has to stay in the hospital for a while yet,” Sophie says.
I give a brief overview of Aiden’s illness, taking a moment to explain the process and that now we’re waiting to see if his white and red blood cells will replenish. I never mind explaining Aiden’s disease so people can appreciate how hard he’s been fighting.
“He sounds like an actual miracle,” Sophie says.
“He is,” Boone replies, and there’s no mistaking the pride in his voice. Boone has never said as much to me, but I know he has come to care greatly for—probably even love—my brother.
“Well, I for one can’t wait until he’s out of the hospital and able to join us at these get-togethers.” Sophie looks to the pan Boone’s holding, admonishing, “And we told you not to bring anything.”
“Lilly insisted,” Boone says. “Besides, once you taste this pasta salad, you’ll be thanking her over and over again.”
Sophie’s eyes sparkle as she pulls back the corner of tinfoil. “Oh wow… that looks amazing.”
“It was my mom’s recipe.” A twinge of sadness and joy to share something of hers hits. “I’ll make sure to send it to you.”
“That would be lovely,” Sophie says, looping her arm through mine. She tosses her head toward one of the tables already laden with bowls, trays and platters but doesn’t spare Boone a glance. “You can put that with the rest of the food. I’m going to introduce Lilly around to everyone she hasn’t met yet.”