Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
The rest of his siblings were already seated too, as they waited for Aiden. While the joking and laughter went on around him, Remy kept an eye and ear on Raven, who sat with a laptop behind the bar. Whether she was absorbed in bar business or avoiding catching his gaze, he didn’t know.
“She won’t disappear if you take your eyes off of her, you know,” Dex said.
Remy glared at his brother. “It’s not like you’d know what it was like to settle on one woman,” he muttered.
Dex chuckled, not the least bit insulted. He loved his bachelor lifestyle in a way Remy never had, especially after being married. Once he and Sadie had divorced because she couldn’t live with his dangerous job as a detective, being alone in the large house felt… odd.
Sadie hadn’t wanted anything from him except a small lump sum to get back on her feet, leaving Remy with the house he’d bought, which he sold almost immediately after their separation. Getting back into the dating game sucked. He didn’t like it the way Dex did but Remy had his share of women.
Maybe it Dex’s years of playing star quarterback and being idolized by women all over the state of Florida. Who knew?
“Is Raven okay?” Dex asked more seriously. “She’s a little pale.”
Remy sighed. “Not really.”
Raven’s truths were her own but even Remy needed to let someone know what was going on. “Look, this has to stay between us, but she has a psychotic brother who is getting out of prison and he’s going to target her.”
Remy went on to explain her past to Dex. All of it, from adoption on. “Though I have a feeling there’s more I don’t know.”
Dex ran a hand through his hair, messing up the top in a way no style could capture. He dabbled in modeling, and had done some ads in the past. “What you told me is enough.”
“I figured you’d understand her considering you were also adopted.”
“Except I got the good family and a chance to heal.” Dex lifted his gaze to where Raven was still working behind the bar. “Her, not so much.”
Remy nodded. “Exactly. I’m trying to show her she can trust me but it’s a long, rough road. Right now she thinks we’re friends with benefits.” He let out a snort. “As if I’d settle for that.”
Dex didn’t smile. “Just be careful you aren’t falling back into old habits.”
“Meaning?”
“Never mind,” Dex muttered. “If I need to bring it up again I will.”
Remy frowned but decided to ignore his sibling. He wasn’t ready to go down that road, even if he knew what his brother was getting at.
“I know you’ll make sure Raven is protected and you’ll be there when she finally gives in to your charm.”
“Always helpful.” Remy slapped Dex on the back.
He and Remy were the same age which had also helped when Dex’s parents died, courtesy of a drunk driver. Witnesses said the couple had been arguing at the time, which contributed to his dad not being able to swerve to avoid the other vehicle in time.
Dex had always been the next-door neighbor who hung out with the Sterling kids to avoid the constant yelling in his own home. After his parents passed away, Alex and his mom, Gloria, had given him a home and later, when Dex was ready, had adopted him.
“Any ideas what you’re going to do now that you’ve retired from football?” Remy picked up a glass of water and took a long sip.
Dex shook his head. “Ian’s trying to convince me to take a job in the front office but I’ve got no interest in that kind of desk job.”
Ian Dare, the team owner, wanted Dex to take a desk job? That wouldn’t be happening, Remy thought. “What about broadcasting?”
Between his brother’s good looks, talent on the field, and inherent smarts, something a quarterback needed to succeed, Dex would make a phenomenal sportscaster.
He leaned back and grinned. “Let’s just say my agent has many irons in the fire.”
His agent was Austin Prescott, one of the best in the business. “I have no doubt you’ll be signing a multimillion-dollar deal soon.”
“Maybe. There’s a lot to consider.”
Just then, Remy caught sight of Aiden walking into the bar and rose from his chair. “Look who’s here! The wanderer has returned.”
His words got the rest of the family’s attention and soon their world-traveling brother was being embraced by the family, one by one.
After a hug and slap on the back by Dex, Remy grabbed his middle sibling’s forearms. “You look good,” he lied.
Aiden had dark circles under his eyes and the weight of the world on his shoulders. But there was time for one of the siblings to crack his hardened shell.
“Home to stay?” Dex asked, as Remy’s throat filled at the possibility Aiden might take off again.