Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Wanting it and meddling are two different concepts.”
“Well, you’re not getting any younger. Sam and Drake seem to follow your path. You boys need a nudge.”
“I don’t need a nudge. I’m happy with my life.”
“Look at Achilles and Harley. He was happy, too. Now he’s perfectly happy.”
God, here we go again.
The way these women tell it, the love story of Achilles Kingston and Harley Jacobs is a modern-day fairytale.
A year ago, no one that knows Ace would describe him as happy. He was known as a tough, hard-as-nails, disciplined motherfucker.
Now that he’s getting married, the three of us are on the hot seat. All the moms seem to think that his decisions will rub off and we will follow suit.
An idea slams into me, and I smile to myself, wondering why I didn’t think of it sooner.
“Mom, stop trying to shove me into an uncomfortable situation of dodging women all night. You can rest easy. I’m bringing a date.”
“A date? Why didn’t you say so? Do I know this woman?” she asks with a little tinkle in her voice.
“Yeah, it’s Jewls, but do me a favor and don’t say anything. She doesn’t know yet.”
“She doesn’t know? Does that mean you haven’t asked her?”
“Not exactly.”
“Major Powers! The party is in two weeks. What if she has other plans?”
At the mention of other plans, my body stiffens. “She won’t have other plans.”
Mom picks up on the bitterness in my tone and lets out a little giggle. “Oh, thank God and sweet Jesus, you are finally coming to your senses. After what I saw on the television Sunday night, I thought for sure you’d let her slip through your fingers.”
Figures she saw the kiss. “She’s not slipping through anything.”
She mumbles something else, followed by the ticking of her tongue against the roof of her mouth. Immediately, I pick up on her mentality, calculating and scribbling on her never-ending task list.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, but I have Talon and Ford in the twins’ old rooms. Harley and Ace are in the guest room, and you are in your room. With Jewls coming, that gives her your room and you will take the sofa.”
I fight the urge to laugh. “I’m not taking the sofa. Jewls and I will stay in my room together.”
“Major, I don’t think—”
“Mom, I’m thirty years old.”
“Yes, but considering you aren’t exactly dating, it’s more comfortable for her to have her own room.”
Oh, she’s good. “Slick way to dig for details. But know, Jewls will be comfortable in my room with me.”
I plan to make sure of that this weekend. Friday can’t get here soon enough.
“I am glad your father got the job of having the talk with you boys. At least you’re covered—”
My stomach sours in the direction of this conversation. “Stop right there. We aren’t discussing sex—ever. Outside of trying to make me lose my lunch, how is everything else going?” I move the subject along.
“Things are coming right along.” The hair on the back of my neck prickles at the hitch in her voice.
“Mom, what’s up?”
She pauses a little too long, and I pick up on the anxiety stemming through the line.
“Mom?”
“Okay, okay. Well, your dad and I ran into Don and Paula Strauss last week.”
My body tenses. “No shit?”
“They asked about you.”
“Sure, they did.”
“Your dad and I kept veering the subject, but they continued to come back to you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Jim finally had enough and excused us.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“During the conversation, they mentioned hearing about your recent accident and said something about you finally retiring from the Marines.”
“Why would they care?”
“Something about the way Paula was eyeing me was unnerving. I hate to ask this, but have you heard from Darla?”
I clench the steering wheel at the mention of her name. “Fuck no.” No luck disguising the anger turning in my gut.
“I didn’t think so. Forget I brought it up.”
“In the off chance you see them again, shut down any conversation about me. Those assholes have no interest in our family except to sink us in their shit.”
“Of course, honey. I’ll never know exactly what happened, but it seems like there is some unfinished business.”
“Seriously, Mom, shut them down.”
“I can handle myself,” she clips.
I let out a deep breath and squeeze the back of my neck. “I know you can.”
There is a beat of awkward silence before she clears her throat and breaks it. “So, when can I call Julianna about the weekend?”
The text chain with Jewls this morning pops into my head. For the second morning in a row, the woman had me wanting to shut her up by kissing the snark out of her.
Me—Good morning, Gorgeous.
Jewls—No shenanigans!
Me—What about my good morning is considered shenanigans?
Jewls—You called me gorgeous.
Me—I speak the truth
Jewls—Stop being sweet! You’re a tough, rough, gruff, and scary cop.
Me—It’ll be our little secret. Doesn’t change the fact you’re still gorgeous. How’d you sleep?