Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
“Okay, this is weirding me out.” Trent squinted at Mike. “Why are you so damn calm?”
“I’m not,” Mike answered honestly. Mike was devastated and still hurting, but his boys didn’t need to know that.
“Okay,” Trent said carefully, “is anyone else getting a Paranormal Activity vibe from Mike, or is it just me?”
Mike would’ve laughed if he had it in him. But all of them didn’t get together and come to his house just to make clumsy jokes—at least they better not have. “What are you getting at, B?”
“I want you and my brothers to still be a part of this occasion.” Bishop glanced toward the patio doors. “You have the best yard out of all of us. Maybe we can have that outdoor dinner that we had in mind.”
“Yeah, we can do that.” Mike would’ve stood, but he didn’t want them to see the predicament he’d put his body in. Instead, he nodded and clamped his son on his shoulder. Mike wouldn’t be able to give the gift of a wedding to his son, but he had to stop acting like he still didn’t have time to do something else. He just had to keep working at it.
“Wonderful.” Edison beamed. “A dinner will be perfect. I can invite my aunt and uncle and a few friends from work. I’m almost scared to tell my boss, Avery, that we eloped too, but hopefully, a nice reception will smooth things over.”
“I was thinking maybe three weeks from this weekend coming.” Bishop checked each of their reactions.
Mike noticed his son was watching his every mannerism as if he was trying to read and understand his new composure. But Mike kept reminding himself that although life kept throwing lemons his way, he always had Rayne to make the sour taste just a little bit sweeter.
“So, Dad.” Bishop held his hand out. “We good?”
Mike took it and grasped it in a firm grip, meeting his eyes. Always, he said with their silent communication.
“I’m glad that didn’t drag out a month.” Trent went to the refrigerator and grabbed himself a bottle of water.
“Get me one too, Trent,” Mike asked so he didn’t have to move. “So you guys headed out to a movie or something?”
“Nope,” Bishop answered. “My husband and I are going home to enjoy the rest of our weekend. I don’t know what the hell they’re about to do.” Bishop pointed at Wood.
Wood came and stood in front of him, and Trent looked just as baffled as Mike when Wood began to fidget with something in his pocket.
“Something on your mind, Wood?” Mike asked.
It took a moment for Wood to find his voice, but when he did, his tone was confident. “Mike, I know we’ve had our differences in the past. And we’ve disagreed on some things… well, a lot of things…” Wood smirked along with Mike. That was a big-ass understatement. “But one thing I’ve always envied was how much you love your family. How you protect them and take care of them, no matter what. Anything your sons do, good or bad, they know they have your support. You’ll never turn your back on them.”
Mike didn’t press Wood to finish when he paused for a long moment. All of them remembered how Wood felt when he’d gotten out of prison and tried to reconnect with his parents after no communication for seventeen years. They’d done a lot more than just slam the door in his face; they’d crushed his spirit, and it’d taken Trent and the rest of them to help build him up again.
“I can respect that in a man… in a father.”
Mike couldn’t be the only one wondering where Wood was going with this speech because Trent and Edison appeared just as surprised and confused as him. Bishop was the only one looking suspicious, as if he knew a secret.
“Thank you, Wood. I appreciate you saying that.” Mike shook Wood’s hand. “My boys mean everything to me.”
“I know. And that’s what I’m here to ask for.”
“For what?” Mike frowned.
“For your other son.” Wood pulled out a black velvet ring box from his pocket. Edison gasped, and Trent looked as if his knees were about to give out. “I’m old-school, Mike, and I was raised to show respect. My father taught me that when I was ready to settle down, that I should do it the honorable way.” Wood’s eyes gleamed with moisture. “I didn’t agree with everything my father believed in, but I did wholeheartedly agree with this.”
Mike blinked at the box, then up to meet Wood’s eyes.
“Mike. I love your son. From the moment I stormed into his life, he’s enriched mine and made it better. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank god for him. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t show him how much he means to me. And if you approve, if you’ll grant me permission to ask for Trent’s hand in marriage, then I swear to you that I will always love him and protect him just as fiercely as you.”