Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“How is she?”
“Nice.” The shrug happens at the same time my niece slaps my hand in defiance again. “No, ma’am. No hitting.”
An otherworldly, shrill scream shoots free from her mouth as tears begins streaming like it’s raining in the house.
Panic instantly settles on my face, which causes my sister-in-law to glance over her shoulder and smile. “You are fine.”
“I don’t fucking think so, Shel.”
“You are.”
“She’s screaming bloody murder.”
“Oh, she just hates when anyone wipes her face.”
Shelby’s cries get louder.
Angrier.
Her kicking becomes frantic and tiny framing an out-of-control windup toy with no way to stop.
“Uh…Shel…?”
My sister-in-law shuts off the water, wipes her hands, and offers to take her out of my arms. “Come here, bumble bee. You are scaring your Uncle Ryder.”
The moment she’s shifted over, Shelby lies her head on her mother’s chest, an action that results in me swiftly apologizing. “Fuck me, I’m sorry I upset her.”
“You did not do anything wrong.”
Her soft reassurance doesn’t change my expression.
“Honestly, most babies do not like their hands, or their face wiped. And little miss bumble bee here knows that if she hollers loud enough you may stop. She does it to Noah literally all the time.” She takes the object from me and executes the action I struggled with. “And he always feels like a monster at the end of it, which causes him to give her extra snuggles. I am starting to believe this little thing is a diabolical genius.” There’s resistance to her wiping, yet Shelly continues. “Now, are you dating, yet? Which apps are you on?” My niece’s face finally becomes clean. “Or do you prefer to meet women the old fashion way at club or a bar or the Jucille Ball when you accidentally bump into one another in line for apple moonshine?”
“What the fuck is the Jucille Ball?”
“It is this adorable little festival up north in Applecourt, Michigan.” Her gaze shoots to mine. “It is actually where I met the man I was dating right before your brother.” She holds my stare as her’s shifts into one of my mischievousness. “If you are not dating and up for the option, I know the perfect woman for you.”
The unlikeliness of her knowing Presley makes me smirk.
That’s the only perfect woman for me.
Anyone else, no matter how hard they try will always be a runner up.
Do I wanna say this my brother’s damn near perfect wife who most likely is looking to pair me with one of her equally model hot friends?
No.
The idea of hurting her hurts my heart like hurting my niece.
New Collins isn’t interested in fucking up family.
Just building it.
Noah unexpectedly enters the room with a gleeful clap. “So, dessert?”
“Can’t.” Both grateful and annoyed at the interruption, I announce. “I have to get to my meeting.”
“Feel free to let me know if you ever want me to make cookies for you to bring to one of those,” Shelly sweetly volunteers. “It would be an absolute pleasure.”
Maybe for her.
It would probably get me kicked out for impression of cruel and unusual punishment.
“Appreciate the thought, Shel.”
Her warm smile is followed by her husband’s equally warm announcement, “Babe, I’m gonna walk Ryder to his car. I’ll be up to help with bath and bed right after.”
“Bath and bed?” She theatrically gasps.
“I’ll even turn my phone on silent.”
“Ooooo,” his wife over the top coos, “with that type of activity, there may be a chance of bed-shaking thunderstorms.”
There’s no stopping my sneer. “Fuck, I didn’t need to hear that.”
“However, you did.” She walks over, pecks him with a kiss on the cheek, and then assists in helping Shelby wave goodbye to me. “Good night, Uncle Ryder. See you next week.”
“Night, Shel.” My tone instantly turns to gushing for the kiddo in her grip. “Night, bumble bee.”
Shelby briefly smiles and rubs her eyes indicating how tired she truly is.
Noah and I head for the front door in absolute silence.
Once it’s shut with us on the other side, I coldly state, “Dad always waited to take those kinds of calls until after dinner. Have some fucking respect for your wife.”
My remark is met with a firm glare and a grip on my arm to cease further movement. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t be like that bastard who raised us. Don’t throw away your fucking family for some piece of ass that’s just trying to ride dick to the top.”
“You think I’m fucking Clio?”
“You think I’m stupid enough to fucking buy that you aren’t?”
“I love my wife, Ryder.”
“I’m sure Dad loved Mom at some point too.”
“I’m not fucking my secretary. I don’t want to fuck my secretary. And if you ever insulate otherwise again to my fucking face, you’ll find out that my fist can do more than just show off my expensive ass platinum wedding ring.” His blue eyes narrow at the instant he leans his face closer to mine. “Got it?”