Total pages in book: 238
Estimated words: 231781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1159(@200wpm)___ 927(@250wpm)___ 773(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 231781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1159(@200wpm)___ 927(@250wpm)___ 773(@300wpm)
I snorted. Of course, I wasn’t letting their mother drive. She had as much of a lead foot as I did, but the kids felt safer with me in control.
“I’m going to remember this, Indie,” Em chided our eldest. “When you’re old enough to drive, I might not be so indulgent.”
I glanced over my shoulder at our daughter, her brown eyes looking guilty as our shared secret went unspoken.
But Emmy noticed, glancing between us and guessing. “You did not,” she griped. “You let her drive this?”
I shrugged, turning back around and hearing our other girl, Finn, giggling. “She could reach the pedals.”
“She’s nine!”
“You let her dye her hair,” I pointed out as if that was worse. “Without consulting me, I might add. Whyyyy am I still married to you?”
“Revenge.” She twisted forward again, facing the track ahead and muttering, “Making me miserable brings you pleasure.”
I burst out into a laugh, leaned over, and hooked her pretty little neck, pulling her in. I pressed my lips to hers, unable to stop my mouth from moving to her cheekbone, nose, and over her glasses to her forehead. She loved to be kissed, and her eyelids fluttered closed as she turned to mush in my hand.
God, she was fun. Happy, unhappy, sad, and hot—I never stopped loving that she was in my life. Her strengths made me feel lucky to be a part of her, and her weaknesses brought out the best in me. I rose to every occasion with her like I never had with anyone else.
And after ten years, and two daughters and a son—and the immense joy we had making them—I knew without a doubt that it was all worth it.
I rubbed my thumb across her soft cheek, breathing in her hair. “Love you.”
“Waiting…” Indie Jones Grayson groaned, answering before her mother could.
I chuckled and pulled away. “Everyone buckled in?”
“Check,” they chimed in.
“Helmets?”
“Check,” William II screamed over his sisters from the seat behind Em.
He was actually William IV, but I was Will, we didn’t like Willy, Bill, or Billy, so everyone just called him II.
“Hold onto your phones!” I called out, reaching for the button.
Pushing it, the hydraulics started working underneath us, propelling us forward, and in moments we were coasting through the tunnel passing thirty miles an hour and then forty.
“Faster!” Finn cried.
The car rocked under us, bobbing along the track as the cool wind breezed across our faces, and Em gripped the handles at her side, unable to keep the smile off her face.
Over the years, we’d cleared all the track between Thunder Bay and Meridian City, taking an hour commute by automobile down to fourteen minutes. Normally, we’d use a subway car, but when we were just going from house to house inside town, I added more railcars and a secondary track for two-way travel. We took the underground tunnel to my parents’ house for dinner earlier, and now have to head back across town, underneath the river, and up to St. Killian’s for tonight.
We raced through the dim passageway, up a few inclines and quickly back down again, our stomachs dropping and the kids’ laughter and screams behind us deafening. I gripped Em’s jean-clad thigh, feeling it, too. Nothing beat a freefall.
Except maybe one thing.
I looked over at her, her glasses clasped in one hand as she squeezed her eyes shut and smiled. Her other hand was behind her and wrapped around II’s sneaker as she held onto him.
He was still only five, and on the rare occasion she let him travel like this, it made her nervous. We’d been on this thing a hundred times, and I wouldn’t put my kids on something dangerous. She knew that.
I loved watching her mother our kids, though. It was hot.
We dipped down, the air turning cold, and I knew we were under the river, but it only lasted a few seconds before we coasted up again, and I brought the lever down, slowing the car.
“Aw,” the kids said behind us.
But their fun was only just beginning. Actually, all of our fun. Em and I were going to play tonight, too.
We slowed to a stop, everyone removing their helmets and seatbelts. We climbed off the car and up to the platform. I gave the girls a hand, while Emory grabbed II. Straightening my jacket and tie, I took the girls’ hands and led them into the catacombs, up the stairs, and into the great hall of the cathedral.
Finn and Indie immediately yanked free and bolted toward the front door, whipping it open and racing outside.
“When the bells chime, report to the front of the house,” I yelled after them. “Immediately!”
“Yep!” they shouted.
William II walked past me, his face buried in his tablet.
“Talk to me, Goose!” I said.
“I heard you,” he sing-songed without looking around.
I shook my head as I drifted out the door to the front yard, watching my kids join Kai’s daughter, Jett, and a few of her friends. II’s eyes hadn’t left his screen.