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)
“One more, Palmer,” he says softly, not giving me a chance to say no as he tugs me into his arms. He holds me like I’m his and like he’s mine, and I can’t resist the pull to snuggle into him. His hands gently stroke up and down my spine, and I have to mentally remind myself he’s not in fact mine.
When the song finally ends, I lift my head to stare up at him. His dark blue eyes hold something I can’t name, and before I know it, words are tumbling past my lips before I can stop them. “I like pretending to be yours.”
A slow smile tugs at his lips. “This night definitely turned out better than I had anticipated.”
“You ready, Palmer?” Deacon asks from beside us. He has a sleepy Ramsey in his arms. “This one is ready to crash.”
“Yes.” I glance back to Brooks. “Thank you for the dances.”
Not saying a word, he nods as I loop my arm through Ramsey’s, stealing her from my brother and leading her out to the parking lot to his car. This night has been all kinds of amazing, and odd, and just… everything I never thought it would be. No matter how much alcohol I’ve had, I know this will be a night I’ll always remember.
CHAPTER
THREE
Brooks
Grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do. However, I hate eating out all the time. Not to mention, eating all that junk is counterproductive to my workout regimen. My brothers and I all work out. A couple of them have physical jobs and they don’t have to hit the gym as often. I like to stay fit and healthy, hence the reason I must go grocery shopping today.
I just finished a three-day stint of twelve-hour shifts and I’m drained. All three of those twelve-hour shifts turned into fourteen plus, and I’m fucking exhausted. I’d rather chill around the house and catch a few more hours of sleep, but I’ve got adult shit to do that’s not going to do itself. So after a quick shower and a protein bar, because I have nothing else in my kitchen, I hop into my truck and head to the store.
I’m almost into the corporation limits of town when I see a familiar black Hyundai and dark head of hair that I’d love nothing more than to wrap my fist around. Checking my mirrors, I turn on my signal and pull in behind her.
Palmer’s eyes are wide and worried until I step out of the truck, and she recognizes me. Willow River doesn’t have a lot of crime, but a woman all on her own on the side of the road is never a good thing, not in my eyes.
“Brooks.” She breathes my name as if she prayed for me and I was delivered to her. “Deacon,” she says into the phone pressed to her ear. “Brooks just stopped.” She gives me a relieved smile. “I don’t know,” she tells her brother.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I was driving, and it just lost power. The radio went, and all the gauges, and just nothing.”
“Sounds like the alternator.”
“That’s what Deacon said. I tried to call my dad, but he’s not answering, so I’m waiting for Deacon to come and get me.”
“I can take care of it. He’s working today, right?” Deacon’s a lawyer in Willow River and used to work more than anyone I know, that is until he met and fell in love with my little cousin, Ramsey. She’s helped him find a work-life balance that he desperately needed.
“Are you sure?” She takes in my cargo shorts and T-shirt. I’m certain she was expecting to see me in my scrubs.
“I’m sure. I’m off the next two days.”
“Thank you, Brooks.” Her shoulders slump with relief. “Deacon,” she sighs, “Brooks says he can take care of it.” She pauses, rolls her eyes, and hands me the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”
I chuckle at her annoyance but take the phone from her hand and place it to my ear. “What’s up?”
“Are you sure you don’t mind helping?” Deacon asks.
“Positive. Today’s an off day for me. I was just running errands. I’ll take a look, and if I can’t get it to work, I’ll call Declan and have him dispatch one of his guys with a tow truck.”
“Thanks, Brooks. I owe you one. I’m getting ready to head into court, and I was just going to call a tow and send Ramsey to pick her up.”
“It’s all good, man. I’ll shoot you a message later letting you know what the turnout is.”
“Thanks.” There’s relief in his voice.
“No problem,” I reply and hand the phone back to Palmer.
“Hey.” She’s quiet while she listens, and I pull my own phone out of my pocket to text Declan.