Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
I would do all of that, as soon as I eased my mind of thoughts of Toni, which maybe included rubbing one out to the thought of those magnificent curves under my hand, her pliant kisses and soft moans that kept me hard for hours, days on end. Thirty minutes later I felt mostly human as I emerged from the shower dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, ready to spend a day with a seven year old.
Layla was, of course, in the kitchen with a bowl of granola, yogurt and fresh fruit in front of her. She had her tablet in hand as well. She looked up at me without a hint of emotion.
“Morning, Uncle Brady.”
I didn’t flinch at her subdued greeting, instead I smacked a smile on my face. “Good morning, Niece Layla. How’s it going?”
She looked up at me as if I’d lost my mind. “Um, fine?”
Okay. I wasn’t expecting a complete one-eighty after months of neglect, but I also wasn’t deterred. “Fine is a good start, but I think we can do better than that. What would you like to do today?”
She froze with her spoon halfway between her bowl and her mouth. “Do?” Layla nodded at her tablet with a frown. “Read, and maybe draw while you work. I’ll stay out of your way. Promise.”
At those words I did flinch. Was I really such a tyrant she thought I couldn’t be bothered at all? Yes, my conscience answered quickly. “Not today you won’t. And for the record, you aren’t a bother. Sometimes I just get lost in my work and forget about the world around me because I’ve never had to think about anyone else. But I’m working on it, okay?”
“Sure,” she shrugged.
“Today you and I are going to spend some time together, get to know each other. So I think you need to figure out what you want to do.”
Her blond brows furrowed deep in thought. “Mom always said that Texas has the best barbecue.”
“That’s a fact I can tell you is absolutely true,” I laughed and shook my head. “Our first meal will definitely be good old-fashioned Texas barbecue. Anything else?”
She shook her head. “Toni and I have visited a few museums, but I don’t know what else I want to do.”
I nodded and looked around the kitchen as an idea struck. “Okay, well, do you like sports?”
She looked up at me with a question in her silver blue eyes. “Maybe?”
“All right, then I know what our first stop is going to be.”
Two hours later we sat in box seats at the stadium for the Houston Highlanders. Layla had wide smile on her face as the players skated out onto the ice. “You like hockey Uncle Brady?”
I shrugged. “I know one of the players. We did some work together and have stayed in touch. On and off,” I admitted.
“You must be Brady Winsome.” A pretty woman with big blue eyes and a giant pregnant belly smiled at me and then down at Layla. “I’m Sasha.”
“Alex’s wife,” I said as my memory returned. “Congratulations on the nuptials and the baby.”
“Thanks,” she laughed. “I’m surprised you found your way out for a game. Alex will be pleased.”
I frowned. “He will?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course, he loves to show off on the ice. It’s unlikely you’ll beat him on real life ice,” she said, likely referencing the ass whooping I dished out when we were testing the hockey game that bears his face.
I laughed. “Without a doubt,” I said and introduced her to Layla.
“Nice to meet you, Layla. Are you a hockey fan?”
“Don’t know yet,” she answered honestly, but an hour into the game, she was yelling and banging on the windows of the box as she shouted at refs for what she perceived as bad calls. “This is pretty cool, Uncle Brady.” Her smile was better than any praise.
“You’re a born hockey fan,” I told her as the game ended with the Highlanders up by three goals.
“It was fun,” she said with a shrug as we made our way down the tunnel to meet with Alex.
He strolled out of the locker room with a cocky smile and a strong handshake for me. “Brady, man, I’m glad you made it. Finally.” His gaze landed on Layla. “Who is this?”
“I’m Layla,” she answered and extended a hand. “Uncle Brady is my uncle and now my dad. Sort of.”
Alex’s brows raised in question and I nodded my confirmation. “I lost my sister and brother-in-law more than a year ago.”
“Shit man, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“He said shit,” Layla said without much emotion.
Alex roared with laughter. “Maybe we should start an unexpected fathers club.” He shook his head and shook Layla’s hand. “It is great, though, isn’t? These little humans will keep you on your toes.”
I hadn’t thought of it like, that but as we said our goodbyes and made our way to the best barbecue restaurant in Houston it was all I could think about. Toni seemed taken with Layla, and Alex seemed to feel the same about his kids, which led me to believe that I was missing something.