Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“There were only three of us, but yeah, one day.” The song turns to a fast one, and I inwardly curse the deejay. Just as I move to step away from Brooks, he manages to grip my waist and turn me so my back is to his front. He points in front of us, and I lose it. My head falls back, resting against his shoulder as my laughter takes over. In the middle of the dance floor are Maverick and Merrick, his twin brothers. However, instead of Jackie, they’re dancing with their mom. They’re making the silliest of dance moves, and Carol’s face is beet red. She’s also smiling from ear to ear. My eyes move past them to find Raymond shaking his head and laughing at his two youngest sons while they dance like loons around his wife.
“I bet there was never a dull moment in your house growing up.” I glance over my shoulder to find Brooks’s eyes already waiting on mine. I swallow hard at the nearness as his hot breath brushes across my cheek.
“Never.” He mouths, “Chaos,” and I nod, definitely understanding what he means.
Instead of releasing me, Brooks slides his hands to my hips, and we begin to move to the beat. I’m glad that the lights are turned down low. I’m sure my face is as red as a tomato. Before I know what’s going on, my best friend and the lady of honor steps in front of me, my brother at her back, holding her much like Brooks is holding on to me. Ramsey grabs my hands, and the two of us let loose. We ignore the men behind us, at least that’s what I try to do, and just enjoy dancing and acting a fool with my best friend. Eventually, Brooks and Deacon have to let us go because we’re jumping around and being silly, much like Maverick and Merrick. When the twins appear, each one taking one of us by the hand, Ramsey and I don’t hesitate to follow them to the center of the dance floor and join them in their silly antics, taking Carol’s place. I glance around and find her in Raymond’s arms. They’re both wearing matching smiles.
Merrick is my partner, and he moves in behind me, aligning his body with mine. His hands are on my hips as we gyrate to the music. As the youngest of the Kincaid clan, these two sure know how to throw down some moves. I can’t help but wonder if that’s a trait they learned from their older brothers or if that’s just their own swag. I’m sure they were a hit at their high school dances.
Merrick turns me in his arms and holds me close as we rock to the beat. “You know,” he says, his lips pressed close to my ear, “we started this to fuck with Deacon. He gets all kinds of jealous anytime anyone, even us, puts their hands on Ramsey.”
“That’s cruel.” I smile up at him, shaking my head.
Merrick shrugs. “Yeah, but it’s our job as Ramsey’s family, to mess with him. What I didn’t plan on was getting a two-for-one deal.”
“Well, thank you for the pleasure of your company, good sir,” I tease him.
He nods. “You’re right. It’s a triple deal.” I raise my eyebrows in question. He’s totally lost me now. Merrick flashes me a cheesy grin before lowering his lips to my ear once again. “We get to fuck with both Deacon and my brother, and I get to dance with you.”
“Your brother?” I ask confused.
Before he has time to answer, I get to make my own assumption when Brooks appears, laying a heavy hand on Merrick’s shoulder. “I’ll take it from here, Mer,” he tells him. The entire time his eyes are locked on mine. There is an expression on his face that I can’t name.
The breath stalls in my lungs as Merrick chuckles but steps back, and Brooks takes his place. I could be imagining it, but his grip on my hips feels tighter, and the set of his jaw more prominent. I don’t even realize I’m doing it until I feel his stubble beneath my palm as I lay my hand against his cheek.
“You okay?”
He pulls me closer and nods. His jaw is still tight; I can feel it twitch, and I tense, not sure if it’s me who’s upset him. “You have a debt to pay, Palmer,” he reminds me.
“Oh. I’m sorry.” I don’t really know what to say because it was a dance with his little brother, and I was already dancing with Ramsey, and he didn’t seem to mind. My hand drops from his cheek and lands on his shoulder.
Brooks shakes his head, expels a heavy breath, and grabs my hand, resting it back against his cheek. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’m just… tired, I think. You didn’t do anything wrong, Palmer.” Deep blue eyes will me to believe him.