Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“We understand,” Kline said kindly, shooting a warning glare in Thatch’s direction. “It’s been mayhem at Brooks Media too. The server for TapNext keeps crashing, and even our IT department doesn’t know a solution other than waiting it out. I guess you never really realize how fortunate you are to have electricity until you suddenly don’t have it anymore.”
“I know.” I nodded and scrubbed a hand down my face. “Some of the public transit lines aren’t even running. That’s why half my staff isn’t here. They couldn’t make it in from Jersey.”
“Damn, my man, it’s just one fucking disaster after another,” Thatch commented, and I sighed over how right he was.
“Winnie thinks maybe we should just cancel and get out of the city. Go somewhere with power and relaxation instead of stress.” Clarifying, I corrected, “Well, technically, she said it was my choice, but I’m pretty sure that’s the way she was leaning.”
“Then what the hell are you waiting for, son?” Thatch retorted. “I handle your investments, and I know a financial loss over all this fucking beef isn’t going to break your bankroll. Call this fucker off and take your woman away. Better yet, take all of us.”
“Group trip?” Kline asked, unexpectedly, but undeniably, hopeful.
“Actually…I’m pretty sure she just meant me, her, and Lex. Not the whole crowd.”
“Why not the whole crowd?” Thatch challenged. “You can’t tell me we’re not fun.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh yeah, you’re a real bundle of joy.”
“I’m a goddamn delight,” Thatch corrected with a stern point of his finger. “Plus, maybe if I get my woman somewhere with A/C, she’ll stop masturbating with a pocket mister.”
“A pocket mister?” Kline questioned.
“Yeah, you know. Those little fan things everyone carries around Disney World.”
“Fuck,” Kline muttered. “I knew I shouldn’t have asked, and yet, I did.”
“Yeah,” I murmured. “I’m officially scarred for life.”
“Oh, come on. Save some of the drama for the future,” Thatch challenged. “Given time, I’m sure I’m going to say way worse shit than that. If you’re already all tapped out, I imagine your whining will become unbearable.”
“Here’s an idea, T,” Kline interjected. “How about you try your hand at being less exasperating?”
Thatch laughed and then shook his head. “Nope. Don’t think I can. I am who I am, men. Deal with it.”
Suddenly, the power came back on, plunging the BAD kitchen into a cacophony of noise. Blenders started back up and ovens beeped and fans turned on high, screaming at full bore. Immediately, Thatch, Kline, and I all jumped into action, running back into the main kitchen where Jean, the chef, was scrambling to turn everything off, but as soon as we got there, the power faded again, zapping us back into darkness.
“Dude, I don’t want to say you’re up shit’s creek without a paddle, but I’m not seeing any fucking paddles right now,” Thatch commented.
“Yeah,” I muttered, having put a false amount of hope into that being the last of the outages. “Fucking tell me about it.”
Maybe Winnie was right—maybe we just needed to get the hell out of here.
Greenwood Lake, NY
Ah, yes. We have arrived at the land of power and relaxation!
Pulling up to my uncle Brad and aunt Paula’s house on Greenwood Lake felt like taking the first gulp of air after nearly suffocating for an hour. It was comforting and familiar and, for the love of everything, was fully functional with power.
My aunt and uncle were on a cruise in the Caribbean, and thankfully, I’d managed to get in a phone call with them before they left shore. My uncle Brad, one of the best men I knew, hadn’t hesitated to give us permission to take over his house for the holiday.
It wasn’t what we had planned—and the BAD BBQ at Wes’s restaurant would have to wait another year for its debut—but man, it felt like just what we needed.
The car had barely come to a stop when Lexi hopped out and took off at a run toward the back deck, where she had left her rain gauge set up the last time we were here several months ago. Under strict instructions, Uncle Brad and Aunt Paula hadn’t touched it, so she could do whatever calculations she wanted on the extended period of rainfall.
With a deep exhale from my lungs, I let myself relax. “I know you were looking forward to the event at the restaurant and that things didn’t go as planned at all, but I’m really happy to be here this week. This house has always brought me peace.”
Wes smiled, reached out, and took my hand in his before leaning over to place a soft kiss on my lips. “I’m glad. Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy.”
“You don’t have to say that, you know.” I rolled my eyes on a giggle. “It’s okay to be simultaneously upset for what you’re not doing. I don’t mind.”