Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Archer and I are just friends,” I tell her again.
“Yeah, I was friends with a Kincaid man once too.” She rubs her small baby bump. “It changed me. Changed my life.” She leans her shoulder into mine. “If you get to that point”—she gives me a look that tells me she’s certain that I will—“I’m in your corner. I’m here for whatever you need.”
I start to tell her that it’s not going to happen, but I can see it in her eyes. It doesn’t matter what I say, she’s team Kincaid—as she should be—but she won’t believe anything I say on the matter. That’s okay. She’ll see that my situation might be similar, but it’s oh so different.
“Thank you, Crosby.”
“You want me to take him?” I startle as Archer stands over me, pointing to his nephew.
“No. He’s good where he is.”
“I’ll make you a plate,” he says, and he’s gone just as quickly as he appeared.
Crosby’s smile tells me everything she wants to say. Thankfully, she keeps her words of wisdom or her predictions to herself. “What would you like to drink?” she asks, standing.
“Oh, I’ll grab a bottle of water in a little while.”
“I’ll have Archer bring you one.” She walks to where Archer is making two plates. He nods and then reaches into one of the coolers and grabs two bottles of water before heading in my direction.
“You sure you don’t want me to take him?”
“No. He’s fine.”
“Here.” He sets my plate in front of me and opens my bottle of water, making sure I can reach everything with my free hand before he takes a seat next to me at the small table and starts to eat.
Everything about the scene is domestic, and there’s a tightening in my chest.
Maybe one day I’ll have this. Maybe one day, I’ll get over my fear of losing someone else I love and allow myself more than just my career.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Archer
I’m sitting in the party room at Karting Express, watching as my niece opens her birthday presents. She’s laughing and smiling and every single present is her favorite. This kid, she’s so full of love and of life. We all spoiled the hell out of her while she was the only niece, and even now, we continue to do so.
“That’s for all your secrets,” one of her little friends explains as Blakely opens a small pink journal with a pen with feathers to match. “My sister writes all hers, but she also tells them to her best friend when she’s on the phone,” the little girl rambles.
“I don’t have secrets,” Blakely tells her. “But I like to draw.”
“My sister says that your uncles are hotties.” The same little girl giggles.
“Oh, yeah?” Maverick asks.
I roll my eyes and chuckle at the same time. My little brother is all about the ladies. Both of the twins are. It’s going to be fun watching them fall for the one woman who turns their world upside down.
My eyes dart to Scarlett. She’s now holding Remi, bouncing her on her hip, making her laugh. They’re both smiling, and it’s stunning.
She’s stunning.
All five of the girls cover their mouths with their hands to hide their giggles. I swear one of them, the one who is telling her big sister's secrets, is blushing. I think her name is Isla. She’s a cute kid, but I’m sure her sister would be pissed that she’s giving the room a tell-all of her life.
“Tell your sister Maverick said hi.” Mav winks at the girl, and she nods her little head up and down so fast she looks like one of those bobbleheads.
“All my uncles are hotties,” Blakely tells her friend. “That’s ’cause they gots the arm porn.” She smiles up at Kennedy, who’s standing with a shocked expression on her face. “Daddy too, right, Mommy? That’s whys they kiss so much.” Blakely’s voice is calm as if she was discussing the weather.
“Blakely.” Kennedy manages to say. It’s a half gasp, half scold. Clearly her daughter has shocked her. Hell, she’s shocked all of us, but I don’t know why. The things this kid says, she’s her own person, that’s for sure.
“What do you know about arm… that?” Declan asks his daughter. His voice is gritty, as if saying the words pains him. I’m sure it does. Isn’t it illegal for a six-year-old to say the word porn?
“Daddy.” Blakely sighs as if having to explain is exhausting her. “That’s your muscles. That’s how Uncle Archer and Uncle Ryder could lift us. But Uncle Archer’s arm porn is bigger porn, so that’s why he lifted Scarlett.”
I choke on a laugh, as do the rest of the adults in the room. Declan kneels next to his daughter. He looks up at his wife, and she gives him a crooked smile. One that says it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it, and I’m glad it’s you. I’ve seen that same smile pass between my parents too many times to count. It’s half smile, half grimace. For a new mom, Kennedy has perfected it. I guess she didn’t really have a choice with Blakely as her daughter. I can’t imagine how feisty she’s going to be as a teenager.