Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“I’ll be back, bro. You two party animals don’t start without me.”
“If you need me—”
“I’ll call, Stella. I promise. If we need you, I’ll call,” Maverick assures me.
I wave and allow Jordyn to lead me out to their car.
An hour in, and I’m glad I let them talk me into this. All the ladies are easygoing and friendly. They’ve included me in their conversations and recalled stories of their husbands and kids, especially Blakely, making me laugh endlessly.
“Wait. It was a condom wrapper?” I ask, sputtering with laughter.
“Yep.” Kennedy places her palm on her forehead. “She asked Maverick if it was a golden ticket.”
Something a lot like jealousy swarms inside my chest, but I ignore it, choosing to let the laughter take over. I know Maverick has been with women. Hell, he’s not even mine. However, a couple of drinks in, I’ve accepted that I’m developing a crush. Okay, maybe the crush is already developed.
“That’s great,” I say, finishing the rest of my margarita.
The night is one of the best I’ve had in—maybe ever. I feel welcomed, and we all get along so well it’s as if we’ve all been thick as thieves our entire lives. I’m so relaxed that I drink more than I should have. I’m still able to take care of Ada. I know my limits, but I’m also feeling really good. Definitely past where I had intended to let myself go, but I’ve been having such a good time I didn’t even notice.
I’ve only called to check on Ada once and sent off just two text messages. I’m proud of myself for that. Maverick even sent back pictures and a short video of Ryder making Ada giggle so hard that her entire body was shaking. It helped me to relax further. Not only that, but I opened up to them. They were asking questions about life before Willow River, and I ended up telling them everything about getting pregnant, Derrick refusing us, and my parents kicking me out. I’m surprised how good it felt to talk about it. Why, I’m not sure. I’ve already told both Maverick and Jordyn about all of this. Something about opening up when I’m used to holding everything in is therapeutic.
“You ladies ready to head home?” a masculine voice asks.
I look up to see one of Maverick’s brothers. When he leans down and kisses Alyssa, I figure he must be Sterling. The ladies helped me remember their spouses tonight.
“We’re ready.”
“We are too.” He nods to a table in the back.
I gasp when I see it’s all the brothers, and the other must be Ramsey’s husband. Ryder and Maverick are missing. “Have you been here the entire time?” I blurt.
“We have.”
“No. I feel terrible that Ryder and Maverick missed a brothers’ night.” I reach for my phone to call and apologize when a hand lands over mine. I turn to look at the man standing behind Jade. This must be Orrin.
“This is what we do, Stella.” He gives me a kind smile. “When the wives go out, so do we. We stay out of the way, and a few of us stay sober to make sure we get everyone home safely.”
“Really?” I ask in awe.
“Really,” Jade assures me.
“It’s fine, Stella,” Jordyn says sweetly from her seat next to me.
“That’s… really sweet. Now I see where Maverick gets it.” I slap my hand over my mouth, not meaning to say that out loud. Everyone just laughs but doesn’t mention it. Instead, they discuss who is driving who home, and then we’re ushered out of the bar.
“Why isn’t Merrick with us?” I ask, once in the back seat of Orrin’s car.
“He’s sticking around a little longer. We have to drive back by the Tavern on the way home, so I told him I’d swing back by and pick him up.”
“Then you’ll have to come all the way back here. I could have waited.”
“Nah, he’s going to stay at our place. Orrin and I are having a day date tomorrow, and Merrick is going to watch Orion for us. We do this every so often. We have breakfast, run errands, do grocery shopping, and sometimes we go see a movie. It’s not overly romantic, but it’s our time,” Jade explains.
“Oh. That’s nice. And important.” I’m not just saying that. It really is nice how they all show up for each other. It’s a little intimidating, if I’m being honest, the way they love. “Thank you for taking me back. Wait, you’re going to have to take me home, too, after picking up Ada. I’m so sorry.”
Jade reaches back and places her hand on my knee. “Relax, Stella. It’s just across town. It’s not like it’s way out of our way. We’ll get you and Ada home safely.”
“Thank you,” I whisper as I sit back in my seat and send up a silent thank-you for bringing these people into my life.