Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
I’m not sure what they’re talking about. “Nothing is that funny.”
But Fiona is laughing at me too. “So cute,” she chortles. “I will never get over how cute you are. Or, apparently, how reward motivated. No wonder you gave me that carrot advice. But we can talk about that later.”
“We’re in a police station,” I say, loud enough to be heard over the hilarity.
Rick wipes his eyes, nodding. “Yes, I know. But I only know why you’re in a police station because Royal called Joey yesterday to ask his advice. He happened to be having lunch with me at the time, so I overheard and took the next flight out.” He looks into my eyes, humor gone. “I decided to find out what was really going on before I mentioned it to Matilda.”
Which explains why she isn’t here with reporters and her interns in tow. “I understand. I’m sorry you were worried, but Matilda definitely doesn’t need to be. I was telling Fiona that the men have already been arrested. Not just for—”
“JD Green.” Rick was using his disappointed professor voice. Shit. “If you believe she’d want to know about anything other than your well-being, than you don’t know who raised you.” I open my mouth and he shushes me. “And if you say you’re fine I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
I bite my lip because that was exactly what I was going to say. I’m surprised at how upset he is. Rick survived years of childhood tantrums all while smiling and appearing utterly relaxed. I still think he had a weed stash somewhere in the garage, because no man with ten boys could be that chill all the time.
“Do the two of you have a place to stay, sir?” Carter asks respectfully.
Royal smirks “Why? Before you answer, I have a list of favorite foods you can bribe me with.”
Rick gives him a look that shuts him down. “We’re staying in a suite near the airport. And please, call me Rick.”
He takes Fiona’s hand in his. “My dear, we appreciate your help in locating my lost sheep of a son. Would you like to join us for dinner?”
“I’d love to.” She notices my bulging eyes and winks. “Unfortunately, I have to work tonight. But if you feel like stopping by for drinks and gossiping about what JD was like as a child after dinner, they’ll be on the house.”
Rick gives her a solemn smile. “We’ll take it under consideration.”
He glances at Carter. “Royal ordered a car for us before we came in. You and JD can follow us back to the hotel. There’s a restaurant in the lobby where we can talk.”
“We’ll be right behind you.”
We. One word melts the knots in my stomach and makes my headache disappear like magic.
I look over at Royal. “The paperwork is done here, but I want to make sure they don’t need me for anything else. Text me the address and we’ll meet you there.”
Rick surprises me again by pulling me in for a hard hug. “I’m glad you’re okay, Jimmy.”
I close my eyes and breathe in the familiar, comforting scent of old books and cedar. “I’m glad you’re here, Rick.”
He pats my back and steps away, blinking rapidly. “I’m starving, so don’t keep us waiting long. Oh, and I found my old, signed copy of A Short History of Nearly Everything. It’s in my luggage if you’d like to refresh your memory.”
I have a Pavlovian response to this information, but now that they’ve joked about using my weaknesses against me, I’m trying not to be obvious. “I’m glad you finally found it. But you know it’s full of errors now.”
“We can discuss Pluto over dinner, Jimmy.”
Royal snorts and then the two of them, along with a grinning Fiona, say their goodbyes and disappear together down the hall.
When they’re gone, I finally turn to face Carter. His expression is difficult to read. What else is new? “Busy day. First I bring you to the police station for hours of excitement, and now this unexpected twist. If it’s too Meet the Parents, you can say no.”
He gathers the hem of my shirt in his fist and tugs me closer, until every part of me that can be pressed against him is. Oh. “Or we could both skip it. Your call.”
“We’re going to dinner, Green. But I’m not letting you out of my sight. I have a feeling if I do, they’ll grab you and sneak you out of town.”
I laugh. “That’s the last thing you have to worry about. I’m surprised they’re here at all. It’s the middle of the semester for Rick and I already told Royal I was fine.”
He shakes his head, his expression almost perplexed. “You don’t see it.”
“See what?”
Carter grips my shoulders and physically turns me towards the parking lot. “I’ll tell you when I get you back home. And we’re naked.”