Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 19458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
“Oh my God, right?” Derek says, rolling his eyes. “It’s not every friend who can be there for you through your pretend relationships.”
I laugh at the memory of just how chaotic the early part of our relationship was—our fake relationship that Derek helped us cover up while we were engaged in what must’ve been one of the craziest fiascos I’ve ever let myself get caught up in. But I wouldn’t change it for anything since it was the comedy of errors that led to me being with such an incredible guy…my Trav.
“Yes, thank you for that, and for talking me down whenever I get stressed out about stuff…and for the guys’ nights…and way too many carbs and wine that we’ve shared.”
“You can save this for the actual wedding reception,” Derek teases, then his expression turns serious. “Gary, are you crying?”
My vision is blurred, and I wipe my eyes. “No,” I insist.
Derek hops to his feet and approaches. “Oh, no. We can’t have any of that. I think we need a group hug.”
“I think so too,” Hayden adds.
They sling their arms around me.
“Don’t worry, you’re going to make a pretty bride, Gare-bear,” Derek says, and we all laugh together.
I hear a phone vibrate on the cabinet top and we all turn together. It’s Hayden’s.
He grabs it. “Oh, Cody needs me to help him grab some things out of the car.”
I hear a sound outside the room. “Oh, shit,” I say, thinking it might be Travis.
Hayden slides between me and the cabinet, blocking the view of my costume, which I should’ve fucking put away already.
Jackson steps down onto the bottom platform outside the door. In a pair of board shorts, he glances between the three of us. Judging by the awkward expression on his face, it’s clear he’s surprised by our reaction to him.
“You boys are up to something,” he says suspiciously.
“Daddy,” Derek says, “what makes you think that?”
He approaches his boyfriend with a sneaky expression on his face, which judging by the way Jackson’s eyes narrow, only makes him more suspicious of us.
“You keeping secrets from Daddy?”
“Only if it means it’ll get me into trouble,” Derek replies, whirling around and poking his ass out. Jackson slaps it firmly, the sound echoing through the room. Even Jackson appears startled by what a firm spanking he offered.
“Now look who’s blushing,” Hayden says.
“I don’t blush,” Derek insists. “I pinken.”
“I guess I was just in time for the show,” a voice comes from behind Jackson as Frankie, Jackson’s friend and co-worker, walks down the steps behind him. In a navy square-cut Speedo with a white stripe running down the left side, he’s looking hot, and I think this might be the first time I’ve ever seen Frankie not wearing a beanie.
“We were just coming to see if you guys needed help with anything.”
I run through my list of things to do, but I have everything covered.
“No, no, I think I’m all good.”
“In that case,” Derek says, turning to Jackson, “can Daddy continue punishing his boy?”
A smirk sweeps across Jackson’s face before he leans over and wraps an arm around Derek’s waist before throwing him over his shoulder, ducking to keep from hitting Derek against the relatively low yacht ceiling.
“You sure you’re good?” Jackson asks me.
“Yeah,” I say, unable to stifle my laugh at their playfulness. “If you could tell the DJ to go ahead and crank up the music so we can get the party started, that would be great.”
“We’ve got it,” Jackson says, still ducking as he spins around. “ ’Scuse us, Frankie.”
Frankie grins as he slides out of their way and lets Jackson carry Derek up the stairs, Derek winking, a mischievous expression on his face like he and Jackson will be having their own playtime. I figure they might slip into one of the rooms on the yacht on the opposite side of the dock as Steven’s.
“On that note, I’m going to go help Cody out,” Hayden says with a smile. I check behind him and watch as he closes the cabinet. My outfit isn’t on the cabinet top anymore. The little sneak did a good job while we were all distracted by Jackson and Derek’s adorable exit.
He turns to me and winks before starting out.
“You sure you don’t need my help with anything?” Frankie asks.
I take another moment to consider his offer because I’m sure there must be something.
“Oh, shit. I do have some lights that I wanted to put up around the gazebo near the beach. Would you help me with that? You don’t have to.”
“Dude, I’d be happy to help. Gary, you guys have gone above and beyond with this. I’m really impressed.”
“Thank you.”
I guide him out of the room, into a hall, and to a set of steps leading to the lower level.
“This boat is insanely big,” Frankie says.