Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
I jacked us as well as I could considering Cal was also thrusting into my grip and driving me crazy with his mouth. When he leaned down and took my nipple between his teeth, it was all over.
I arched up and groaned through my release, trying my hardest to keep stroking him even though my brain was short-circuiting. He came just as his phone began to ring again.
“Motherfucker,” he groaned. “Whoever’s calling needs to fuck off. Jesus.”
I reached over for one of the discarded towels and cleaned us up before handing him the phone. “Here. I’m going to get dressed and go on up so you can talk in private.” I leaned in to take another deep kiss from him before turning toward the closet. He’d already set out his clothes for the night, so I tossed them to him on the bed.
“It’s Doc,” he said, pulling on his boxer briefs. “No need for privacy.” He dialed the phone and put it to his ear while he finished pulling his clothes on. “Hey, what’s…”
He listened for a little while right as my brain began to process what three or four calls in a row would mean. Trouble at home. Big trouble.
“What?” he breathed. “What? Wait… how? Are they sure? Why didn’t they…”
I turned and saw his face had gone pale. I threw on my own clothes before rushing over and squeezing in behind him, pulling him back against my chest and holding on tight. His body melted into mine as he started to cry.
“But are they sure?” he asked again. He sounded so young and afraid. I wanted to conjure up a giant bubble of protection around him and keep all the world’s cruelty at bay. Whatever was happening had just devastated him.
“Doc… I… I don’t know if I can get back in time. I’m on a boat and—”
I cut in softly. “I’ll get you back. I’ll send you wherever you need to go.”
Cal turned in my arms and put his face against my chest. The warm wet tears landed on my shirt and almost crushed me.
“Will she even know I’m there?” he asked. “Will Brian let me see her?”
Fuck. It was Annie. Something had happened to her, and it was bad. I could hear the steady tones of Cal’s grandfather on the other end of the line. I wanted to take the phone away from Cal and promise Doc I’d take care of everything, but it wasn’t my place. I wasn’t Cal’s actual boyfriend. I wasn’t family. I was someone who’d known him only a few days.
I reached for my phone and began typing a text to Vin with one hand.
Worth: Need to get Cal back to Texas asap for family emergency. What’s best way?
Cal finished up his call and threw his arms around me, crying harder into the crook of my neck. I put my own phone down and held him tight. I could hear Freya’s shout through the open porthole as she ran down the deck above us. The engines turned on, and Julo’s voice joined the mix. They were taking care of it like the competent crew they were.
I breathed a sigh of relief and held on to Cal. “We’re getting you home,” I promised softly.
“She… she had a massive stroke. She’s on life support. It’s bad. Really bad, Jon.”
“Shhh. You told me your brother and Doc are both physicians. I’m sure they’ll get all the information about what’s going on. Maybe they’ll have a better idea of the details when you land.”
Nat knocked and pushed the door open when I told her to come in. “Vin said there’s an emergency? What’s happening? What can I do to help?”
Lucas poked his head in behind her.
“Come in,” I told them, not letting go of Cal. “Remember the woman Cal told us about who owns the sailing camp back home?” They nodded. “She’s had a bad stroke. We need to get him home to see her.” I tried not to use the phrase say goodbye, but that’s what it would probably be.
Nat’s face dropped, and she came to sit on the edge of the bed. Cal peered out at her but didn’t take his head off my chest.
“Oh honey,” she said, reaching out to rub his arm. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks,” he said with a sniff.
Nat found a box of tissues on the dresser and handed them over. “Do you want me to come with you?”
He wiped his face and shook his head. “No. I’ll be okay. All of my family is there.”
Nat shot me a look that had a message somewhere between “you’d better go with him” and “don’t be an uncaring dick,” but it was unnecessary. Of course I’d go with him.
“I’ll come with you,” I said, confident that he’d let me take him home since he seemed to find comfort in my company. If nothing else, I could be a friend in his time of need.