Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Because they always spill the beans.”
At first, he had no reaction, but as he stood there staring back at me, his lips slowly curled into a slight smile. I was getting there, so I tried again. “Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl going to the bathroom?”
“Why?”
“Because it has a silent pee.”
“Aw, man.” Toby shook his head and laughed. “That’s just bad.”
“It’s funny, is what it is.”
After that, Toby started to loosen up. He missed more than he hit, but by the end of the game, he was laughing and giving me a hard time about my shot like we were buddies.
It was good seeing him like that—like he was a kid again. I had a feeling he had grown up too fast because of what he had experienced, and I hoped he could relax here, knowing we would take good care of him and his mom.
Whitney
“Hey, girl.” Bridget strolled into the kitchen carrying a basket of laundry. “How’s it going?”
“Not too bad.” Bridget was one of the club girls, and I liked her a lot. She was beautiful and confident, and she always dressed to turn heads. But her easygoing nature made it impossible not to like her. And in this crazy clubhouse full of men, it was nice to have someone to talk to. “How about you?”
“Can’t complain.” She glanced around, then asked, “Where’s our boy?”
“He’s outside playing with Dagger’s son.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“Yeah, they’ve been out there for a while. Last time I checked, they were making plans to build a fort, but I’m sure they’re on to something else by now.”
“Oh, there’s no telling with Garrison. He’s always into something.” She dropped the basket of laundry down on the kitchen table. “But that’s a good thing. It means you’re getting some much-needed Momma time.”
“I guess.” I stirred my coffee and smiled. “It’s been quiet. Maybe just a bit too quiet without him around.”
It was still strange being at the clubhouse surrounded by so many men and all the noises they made. There was always someone talking or laughing, and music was constantly playing in the bar. There was a time when that kind of constant noise would’ve driven me crazy, but over the past couple of weeks, I’d come to find it comforting. It was a sign that I wasn’t alone.
We were in a fortress, surrounded by men who would lay their lives down for us. It was impossible not to feel safe and protected. I didn’t have to look over my shoulder every five minutes and I could breathe again. And even though they’d only been gone a little while, I missed having them around.
“It’s definitely different during the mornings and late afternoons when the guys aren’t around.” Bridget sat down across from me. “But then again, we’re not completely alone. Goose and Ghost are just out back.”
“Oh, I know. They’ve been in to check on me a hundred times in the past hour.”
“At least they’re easy on the eyes.” She playfully raked her teeth across her bottom lip. “Especially Ghost. My God, that man is all kinds of fine.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You guess?” she gasped. “You don’t think he’s hot?”
“Oh, he’s attractive. There’s no denying that, but he’s also a little scary.”
“Oh, that’s just because he’s on the job. He takes this club stuff very seriously. They all do.”
“Maybe that’s it, but he always seems so intense.”
“Oh, you must bring that out in him because he’s not normally like that.”
“He’s not?”
“No, not at all.” Bridget chuckled softly. “He’s usually pretty easygoing unless he has a reason not to be.”
“So the silent, brooding protector thing...”
“It’s all for you.”
“But why?”
“You’d have to ask him that, but I’d guess he doesn’t even realize how intense he’s coming off.”
My gaze drifted toward the window. Ghost was standing near the clubhouse entrance with his arms crossed, scanning the area. “I have to admit, being here has definite advantages.”
Bridget tilted her head, her grin widening. “Like what?”
“I’ve spent so long looking over my shoulder, and now, we have all these guys looking out for us, and I don’t have to worry so much.”
“They definitely have a way of making a girl feel safe. It’s one of the reasons I stick around—that and they have amazing parties.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
“But one day you will.” She giggled. “I’ll look forward to that.”
“Look forward to what?” Antonia asked as she walked into the room.
“I was just telling Whit about the wild parties the guys have.”
“Oh, yeah. There’s no doubt that they know how to have a good time.” Antonia poured herself a cup of coffee, then came over and sat down next to me. “So, how have you been doing?”
Before I could answer, Bridget stood and grabbed her basket of laundry. “I’ll leave you girls to it.”
“You don’t have to rush off.”