Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“We should go to Jordy’s place to eat. He’s working tonight,” Garrett says, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Maybe Roux could even come down and see us.”
“Sounds like a plan. See you there.”
The restaurant is bustling with activity. Saturday nights draw in a big crowd. Thankfully, Garrett must have called ahead and reserved the large, corner round booth for us. I’m on one end on the outside with Penny to my right and Tierra to her right. Garrett sits beside her with Charlotte on his right. Loden is beside her and Jace is next to him, sitting directly across from me.
“Stop playing footsies with me, Lo,” I complain.
He laughs, slinging his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders. That shit used to piss off Cal, but now he treats Loden like an annoying little brother and puts up with his flirtation shenanigans. If he weren’t gay, Cal would have probably already drowned him in Hood River.
Jace smirks at me, amused that Loden always projects his advances my way. Truth be told, I think Jace scares the shit out of Loden. He’d probably crush his guitar playing hands in his fists if Loden put the moves on him. Lo definitely doesn’t attempt his playful flirtations toward Jace. No, that shit is reserved all for me.
In a nonchalant move, I put my arm around Penny, pretending to just need to stretch out a little. Jace shakes his head, barely hiding his stupid smile. I don’t care if he knows. He’s Penny’s friend—albeit a strange pairing. It’s her dad I would like to keep that shit from.
I glance toward the kitchen, where Jordy’s working his ass off. That boy has always loved to cook. He told me last we spoke that Bob’s been traveling a lot to see his sick mom, leaving Jordy to manage the restaurant. He’s pulling long hours, which is hard on Roux, but whenever he gets a break, he runs next door and up to their apartment to pay them a visit.
“How are the headaches?” Garrett asks, drawing my attention his way. I don’t miss the slight glance at my proximity to Penny, but he doesn’t say anything about it.
“As long as I stay on top of them, I’m okay. Reading for long periods makes my eyes hurt, which leads to migraines.” I frown because lately I’ve been doing a lot of that.
“My cuz is going to be a teacher,” Tierra tattles. “As if the school needed another teacher like Cal Hutton.” She shakes her head. “I am so glad I’ll be graduating in May. Too embarrassing to have both my cousins teaching there.”
Garrett lifts a brow at her. “I think Terrence is more than capable.”
“You don’t know him like I do,” she sasses back.
I roll my eyes. “I won’t be doing shit if I don’t pass these certifications.”
“I want you to get your eyes checked,” Garrett says to me. “I could do it, but if you need glasses, you’ll have to see an optometrist anyway. Make an appointment. Might help with your headaches too.” He pulls out his phone. “I’ll text you Dr. Rowland’s number.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I nod my thanks. Not interested in getting glasses, but if it helps, I’ll try it. Just like physical therapy has been helping. I'm not so stubborn I'd rather leave myself at a disadvantage if there's any possibility I can improve and become pain free.
“Ahh, there’s my baby girl,” Jace says, grinning.
Roux walks over to the table, Emilia in her arms. “Hey.”
Jordy like a fucking vampire just appears behind her, dragging a chair up to the table for her to sit. “Hey, Little Hoodlum.” He presses a kiss to her mouth and then runs his thumb over Emilia’s dark head before nodding toward the kitchen. “Food’s almost done. It’s too busy to take a break, but I’ll come back by later.”
“Give me my girl,” Jace says, holding his tattooed arms out for Emilia.
Roux passes her to him and then smiles sweetly as her dad—huge ex-con—hugs the baby to him. He coos at her in a stupid ass voice, but I get it. I’m about to have my little girl in my own arms and if baby talk makes her feel happy, I’ll do that shit too with a goddamn smile on my face.
“Me and Jordy have some news,” Roux says, her amber eyes lighting up.
“I told you Jordy has super sperm,” Loden whispers loudly to Charlotte.
Roux shakes her head. “Ha. No, it’s something else.”
Concern flashes in Jace’s eyes. “Everything okay?”
“Perfect,” she assures him.
The waitress stops by, delivering our food, and everyone dives in. Penny, no longer hyped up from the game and with fatigue wearing her down, grows tense at all the clattering of silverware on plates. She’s great at managing the way they bother her, but I notice when she’s stressed, tired, or upset, she has no wall high enough to stop them from whipping at her like lashes of a belt.