Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
She managed a small smile and squeezed my hand. “Right now, the only thing I wanna do is lock down the godfather business. Toby and I were gonna ask you after the barbecue, and then…”
Yeah. And then.
I swallowed hard. “I’d be honored.” I gave her another hug and exhaled unsteadily. “I hope you understand I gotta teach that kiddo some shit you’re not gonna like. Toby would’ve insisted.”
She croaked a laugh, and I brushed away her tears.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said.
Perfect.
We made our way to the table, and I reached across it and shook Elliott’s hand. Even though we’d talked on the phone almost every day, it was good to see him.
“New threads?” He smirked.
I glanced down at my shorts and tee, and I shrugged and grinned a little. “Maybe I cashed in some gold.” I’d bought new sneakers too. And approximately a dozen science magazines for Jack. I didn’t freaking know which ones he liked, so I’d grabbed everything Target had to offer.
Two of them had aliens on the cover, so fingers crossed.
“On that note, I have some for you too,” I told Madison and sat down.
She shook her head quickly. “Please don’t. I’m already uncomfortable with what Elliott forced me to accept.”
“I use my boss powers for evil,” Elliott replied.
I smiled. Well, maybe I could save some for the kid. I’d taken plenty.
“You’re crazy, is what you are,” Madison chuckled. “What if someone catches you?”
“Those someones are dead.” I scratched my nose.
Elliott pointed to me in a silent exactly.
He changed the topic next and asked if I wanted anything to eat or drink, and I shook my head and declined.
“I had a big protein shake on the way over.”
“Gross.” Madison made a face.
They were not gross. They tasted like chocolate and maintained my abs.
“Elliott?” That other boy, Nicolas, came out from the living room. “Can I have another soda?”
“No need to ask, buddy.” Elliott glanced over at him. “You enjoyin’ the video game?”
Aw, shit. “What game?” I sat up straighter.
“Yeah, it’s cool.” Nicolas grinned. “Um, it’s called Battlefield.”
“I love Battlefield,” I said. I was a fan. Once they’d fixed most of the bugs, anyway. “Which one is it? Are you playing online or…?”
He smiled sheepishly and looked to Elliott for answers.
“Joel brought over his PS5,” he said. “Because apparently I’m dating a gamer.”
“Fuckin’ A.” I turned back toward the pool and hollered for Joel. “Yo! You wanna get together for a game night soon? Nicky put me in a Battlefield mood.”
“You haven’t had enough of battlefields?” Madison retorted.
Woman, this was different. Toby would understand.
“Hell yeah,” Joel replied. “We got Nicolas the 2042: Master of Arms, but I’ve only played Zero Hour before.”
Both were awesome. “It’s a date. Our men can serve us steaks and potato skins while we get our game on with Nicky.”
“I’m loving this plan,” he chuckled.
“How did I become a server in this scenario?” Elliott asked. “And his name is Nicolas.”
Nicky was easier to say!
“You wanna play with us?” I raised my brows.
He sighed. “How do you like your potato skins?”
“Filled with cheese and plated right next to Nicky’s,” I replied smoothly.
Nicky snickered and ran back inside.
Elliott Jones
Piper was really not gonna say anything, was she?
She was un-fucking-believable. But so be it. I’d play nice at family get-togethers and when Blake was around.
At least Blake had taken the news of her daddy and uncle being together fairly well. She just found it giggle-worthy and strange that we used to “hate” each other, and now…
It was a slow introduction to what would hopefully be a spectacular future. Blake had enough to deal with right now, so it wasn’t like Joel and I were all over each other. We had to take things one day at a time for her sake.
In a way, for Nicolas, Mattie, and Julian too. Our only responsibility and priority at the moment was to keep all four kids relaxed when they came home from the hospital every day wrung out and sensitive.
When Madison excused herself to take a nap, Crew deserted me for Joel and headed over to the pool. I wouldn’t see Nicolas till his next soda was gone, and Blake and Mattie weren’t leaving the water anytime soon.
Piper flipped the pages in the magazine she’d pretended to read the past couple of hours.
I took a sip of my coffee, and Julian reached for his juice box.
He liked to mimic me… If I drank, he drank. If I had to go to the bathroom, so did he. Best way to get him to eat was if I ate.
“You tired, kiddo?” I combed my fingers through his hair.
He shook his head and leaned back against my chest.
Now was the moment to push, according to the doctor, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. He was getting better. The clinginess was easing, however slowly, and he responded using body language, which he hadn’t done mere days ago. Couldn’t we let him progress at his own pace?