Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
But now I’m not so sure.
Jade always says there’s nothing going on, but I can’t help but feel they’re plotting something.
But in a good way, judging by Jade’s sheepish and knowing grin whenever the subject comes up.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” I quiz Joey as I help him with some heavier boxes.
He only makes a face and shrugs.
“Girl stuff, probably,” he muses aloud before remembering something else.
“Hey, Zak? Are we really going to see Miles on our way there?” he asks.
A strange kind of smile plays on his lips.
“Sure we are,” I exclaim. “But I don’t want to spend all day listening to you two trying to get one up on each other. We’re working together as a team, remember?” I remind him.
Unable to help smiling myself because I secretly can’t wait to see the look on Miles’ face when he realizes the biggest ‘threat’ to his job, as well as his gameplay record, is a ten-year-old kid.
“I remember,” Joey sighs. “I won’t let you down, Zak,” he promises me for about the millionth time.
“I know you’ll always do your best,” I encourage him, “So let’s get this all tied down so we can get going, huh?”
His eyes shine with excitement, and if it wasn’t for his tiny size and high voice, I could be mistaken for thinking Joey was all grown up.
He’s one of the most dependable and honest people I’ve ever met.
That reminds me. I need to make time for his mom to have a meeting with my attorney. Get Joey’s place in all this set down on paper.
I can’t hire a ten-year-old in the traditional sense, and Joey does need to keep his schooling up.
But I can set things up, so he’s financially rewarded for his contribution.
“You guys good to go?” Jade calls out once she sees we’ve loaded everything we’re taking.
Joey gives her the thumbs up, and I’m surprised to hear his mom and May calling back.
“We’ll be right behind you,” they holler, smiling with nothing short of mischief in their eyes.
I glance at Joey, who only shrugs innocently. And once Jade joins us by the truck, I ask her what’s going on.
“Mom and Sheree just want to see the workshop. Meet Miles, that sorta thing,” she says, giving my trust issues a challenge, but what harm could it do?
They’ll all be getting the guided tour of the place soon enough, so why not today?
Once we’re in the truck and Jade’s hugging my free arm while I drive, she explains things, so I understand them better.
“Joey’s mom wants to meet Miles,” she whispers in my ear. And I feel myself relax.
“I think Joey’s told her enough stuff about how nice Miles is to get her interested in maybe dating again,” she confides.
I nod slowly, without a word.
I kind of was hoping to have some alone time with Jade today.
I’ve had something on my mind I kind of need to ask her.
Something I don’t think can wait until after Joey’s visit is over either.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Jade
Mom’s like a different person these days.
Once I came clean about Zak and me, which she’d already figured out, she hasn’t wasted any time in upping the anté to see just how serious I am about things.
This included having me empty my old room out and take everything with me, which we do.
She still teases me about renting the room out, but today she let that drop and says she’s going to make my old room into a spare room.
A baby’s room.
“For when you and Zak visit…with the kids,” she tells me earnestly. But Sheree, who’s sitting next to her when she says it, spits out her drink and gives her friend a sideways glance.
“I think we’re a long way off from that,” I’m quick to answer her, feeling my face flush with embarrassment.
But mom only smiles and gives a knowing look. Like she’s aware of something that maybe I’m not.
Zak and I have talked about kids, but it’s his game launch we’re focusing on right now. And that’s something that’s still months away from being finished.
Kids are the last thing I’m thinking about.
Well, that’s the impression I’m working at giving off.
I don’t want to distract Zak more than he already is, knowing how much his game and the upcoming launch mean to him.
But having Joey for the next couple of weeks and the drive home is about as much ‘kid’ as I figure Zak needs on his mind right now.
Joey’s our soundtrack the entire way to the workshop. He’s so excited that he is chattering like a nervous monkey.
And even mom and Sheree inviting themselves hasn’t thrown Zak either.
If anything, he looks content. Although I can’t help getting the feeling he’s looking forward to us being alone again today.
And not for the usual reasons.
“Something on your mind?” I ask him as we’re driving. Joey’s recounting his latest battle scores and suggesting a dozen changes that I think are a little strange, but Zak’s all ears whenever Joey says anything.