Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Harlee poured a drink, then walked over to me. She sat down on the coffee table and watched me take a long sip. I wanted to down it again, but I only drank half.
When I set the glass down, she took my hand in hers. “First off, I know that. The first time we slept together, you used condoms. And second, I know you haven’t been celibate all these years. I also know things like this happen. But I will say I’m really, really glad little Braxton isn’t your baby.”
I closed my eyes and groaned while Harlee laughed. “I can’t believe she named the kid after me. No wonder the dad thinks it’s mine!”
“Not gonna lie, that moment had me speechless.”
“You?” I said, reaching for the drink and downing the rest. “Thank you, though, for not freaking out on me.”
“We’re a team now, remember?”
I placed my hand on the side of her face. “I love you, Harlee.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she pressed her lips together tightly. I knew she was attempting to get her emotions in check before she spoke. A single tear slipped free, and I wiped it away with my thumb.
“I love you, too, Brax.”
Standing, I pulled her up and threw her over my shoulder. “Now, let’s get back to what we were doing before we were interrupted.”
Gannon and Brody both stared at me with shocked expressions on their faces as I nodded, then tipped my beer back and took a drink.
Brody leaned over and put his arms on his legs. “Wait. A girl from your past showed up with a baby?”
“Yep.”
“And you thought it was yours?” Gannon asked.
“What would you think if a woman you’d slept with about a year ago showed up with a baby in her arms, Gannon?” I asked with a laugh.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose I’d freak the hell out. Especially if Addie was there.”
I motioned to him with my free hand. “Thank you. Not gonna lie, I had the urge to run out the door. And if it wasn’t winter, I might have.”
Brody laughed. “I’d feel the same. I’m not sure how Sutton would have handled it, though.”
“I don’t know,” Gannon stated as he looked at his beer and then at us. “I feel like all four of those women are so confident in themselves and who they love that they wouldn’t have jumped to any conclusions. It’s one of the things I admire most about each of them.”
“I agree,” Brody said. “I think Sutton might not have been as calm as Harlee, but I don’t think she would have run off.”
Mason walked in and handed each of us another beer before sitting. “I agree with you guys. I see Addie every day at the clinic, and she’s so freaking level-headed. And Palmer…I honestly don’t know what I would do without her. She’s completely changed my life, and Charlie’s too.”
“To Barbara and Keegan,” Brody said, raising his beer.
Smiling, I replied, “To the best parents any kid could ever want.”
We all clinked our beer bottles together.
“Dude—how did you not shit your pants, though?” Brody asked with a snicker.
“I’m not so sure I didn’t, to be honest with you. Did I mention she named the kid Braxton?”
“No fucking way!” Gannon said, leaning over laughing as the other two at least tried not to laugh quite so hard.
“I was positive that one was going to push Harlee over the edge,” I said.
Mason shook his head. “Let’s hope Ms. Seaside doesn’t find out about your little visitors.”
I rolled my eyes. “Christ, it would be my luck. The woman clearly hates me.”
Knowing Ms. Seaside like I did, I was positive this incident wouldn’t make the column.
Gannon shrugged. “I don’t think she hates you, but she does have a weird fixation on you.”
Brody and Mason agreed.
“It was pretty early in the morning,” I said. “If she has her spies out that early, then I’m not sure what they’d make of it. Harlee and I both literally stood at the door and waved them off.”
“I’m sure she could put a spin on it,” Mason said. “I’m just glad she’s moved on from Palmer and me. I think the Dr. Zaddy thing has finally worn off. Although, some teenager did call me that when I was picking up lunch earlier.”
Making a note to myself to ask Harlee where in the hell she’d come up with that name, I changed the subject. “So, with my mom and dad selling the Grill, and Addie and Sutton having babies, Palmer getting married and…” I trailed off.
“And?” Gannon asked with a smirk.
I grinned. “Not going to lie, I’d marry her tomorrow if I thought she’d do it.”
“Who says she wouldn’t? Anyone with two eyes can see the way the two of you looked at each other over the years,” Brody said. “Take it from me, dude, don’t wait. I regret ever letting Sutton go.”