Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
He’d been through all of this before, and often, the guys got a little pissed off in waiting for their food.
“Matthew, my man, it is about time you turned up,” Kid said, shaking his hand.
“Good to see you. Been busy with shit. I want you to officially meet my girl, Luna. Luna, this is Kid. He is another prospect hoping to make it.”
“Hoping to. Dude, I am going to get my shot. Trojans are for life, and I’m all for it. Can’t wait to be a brother.” Kid shook Luna’s hand. “Do I know you?”
“I, er, I don’t know,” Luna said. “I work at the diner, I don’t know if that is where you’ve seen me.”
“Probably. Guy’s got to eat.”
Matthew looked past Kid to see Eliza and Brass. “Catch up with you later,” Matthew said. He wanted Luna to meet Eliza
“Whoa, are you okay?” Luna asked.
“Yeah, there is just someone I want you to meet.”
“Matthew,” Brass said.
“Hey, Brass, er, how are the kids?”
Brass laughed. “They’re fine.”
He glanced at Eliza, and Brass lifted his brow.
“Eliza, great to see you.”
“Hi, Matthew.”
“I’d like you to meet Luna.”
“Actually,” Luna said, “we already met. A few years ago, right?”
Eliza nodded. “At the diner. Let me guess, the bad boy—” She looked toward him.
Luna jerked her head. “Yeah, a bad boy.”
Eliza began to chuckle, and Matthew didn’t exactly know what he was missing. They were clearly sharing an inside joke.
“So, anyway, Eliza is a best-selling author.”
Luna’s mouth fell open. “You are?”
Eliza nibbled on her lip. “Yeah, it is not a big deal.”
Brass gripped her shoulders. “Not a big deal? Come on, baby, don’t sell yourself short. I know for a fact it is a big deal, and it’s your dream.” He kissed her neck.
“That is amazing. Congratulations.”
“Luna wants to be an author,” Matthew said.
“Matthew, stop it.”
“You do?” Eliza asked.
“It’s a dream, yes, but honestly, I’m so happy for you.”
Matthew stared between the two women, and he wasn’t exactly sure why Luna wasn’t asking her anything. “Do you think you could give her some hints and tips on what to do?”
“Matthew, seriously. Stop. Don’t,” Luna said.
“I know it’s your dream, and I don’t know how else to help you.”
Luna rolled her eyes at him. “I’m so sorry, you must get asked this all the time.”
Eliza laughed. “It’s fine, honestly. If you ever want to talk, then we can talk. I’m not traditionally published, or whatever that’s called.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Luna said. “Matthew, can I talk to you for a second?”
She grabbed his arm and started to move him away from Brass and Eliza. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of this before now. Eliza was doing amazingly well, at least, that was what he heard the last time. If she could help Luna, then he was all for it.
When there were big get-togethers, it was usually impossible to find a private spot to talk, but he should have known Luna would be able to find one.
“Please, stop.”
He frowned. “With what?”
“I don’t want people to start thinking the only reason I’m with you is to further my own career, and with you asking people for help like that, they will.”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“And I get that and it’s so sweet of you, but we’re here for you. Not for me.”
“Eliza’s a published author. She could help you.”
“With what?” Luna asked. “I don’t have a finished story. I’m … I’m not even sure of what path I want to take.” She took his hands. “You’re so sweet to offer, honestly, you are, but please, don’t.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he saw how uncomfortable she was. “Fine. No more asking book questions.”
“Thank you.” She stepped toward him.
“I’m here for you, Luna. I want you to be able to reach your dreams.”
“I know you are.”
He glanced past her shoulder and saw his father and Holly looking toward them. “Let’s go and make the real introductions.”
“What do you mean?”
Matthew pulled her against his side, kissed her cheek, and then placed his arm across her shoulders. “Exactly what I mean.” They walked over to his parents. Holly wasn’t his actual mother, but she had stepped up into the role without any animosity. “Mom. Dad. I’d like for you both to meet my girl, Luna.”
Luna tensed by his side, and he kissed her cheek, trying to calm her. It was time for her to meet his parents because he had no intention of ever letting her go.
Holly smiled, and his dad gave the smallest hint of a smile, which meant he was happy. He’d done good.
****
Maya stood back from the gym and watched as Preach worked out. He lay on his back and pushed out a breath as he shoved some scary-looking weights up into the air. The thickness of his muscles fascinated her.
Preach was a good man. She sensed it.