Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 134830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
I smile grimly. “He wants to know that you’re in good hands, that’s all.” I reach over the console to rub her thigh. “And you are… in very good hands.”
Her laugh is light and bright and full of filthy promises I hope she keeps when we get back to her place. She has work to do so she’s ready for the week, but I’ve discovered that a little help goes a long way with Daniela Becerra, and if she’s got the energy when everything’s ready, then she’s more than happy to expend it with me.
My phone rings in the cup holder, and I glance at the truck’s screen. It’s Mom, so I answer on the speakerphone.
“Hey, Mom.”
Things have been better between us, but I feel like I’m still apologizing for going so far rogue. I’m honestly not sure I’ll ever be able to make that up, but I’m going to do my best.
“Kyle, it’s time. We’re heading to the hospital,” she says, her voice echoing in the truck.
“Alright, we’re on our way too. Do you need anything? I can grab it on the way.” I’m already changing directions to get to the hospital where Janey is scheduled to deliver.
“No, just come. Cole wants us all there for Janey since she won’t have any family there.”
I nod even though Mom can’t see it. “We’re about thirty minutes out. See you soon.”
“Okay.” She sounds distracted and stressed. Mom has become not a second mother to Janey, but an actual one because Janey’s family is awful, and once she and Cole got together, she went no-contact with them. We’re her family now, and if there’s one thing we Harringtons are good at, it’s coming together when it counts.
We’ve had times when we’re all spitting mad at each other, even recently when they were mad at me for my major blowup at Mom and Dad, but Cameron and Kayla were there to set me straight. And other times too, where we’ve all shown up for each other.
Hell, sometimes, we’re at our worst when things are going well. But when it goes sideways, I wouldn’t want anyone else at my side.
“Hey, Mom,” I say, grabbing her attention back. She hums, and I say, “Janey’s gonna be fine. Cole too. But Janey’s solid. She’s got this. And we’ve all got her.”
I can’t imagine what must be going through Mom’s mind as one of her children becomes a parent again. It’s been so long since Cameron and his wife had Grace that it seems like a distant memory. And with me now knowing the difficulties Mom once went through with one of her pregnancies, I can understand how this would be a bit triggering for her.
“Thanks, honey,” she says, her voice steadier but also thicker sounding. “We’ll see you soon. I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
Things aren’t perfect between us, between any of us. But perfection isn’t what makes a family. We’re all fuckups in our own way, but we stand by each other, and that’s what matters.
Dani
“Do you want to drop me off before you go?” I offer, not wanting to overstep with such an important family event.
Kyle jerks his eyes to me. “Fuck no. You’re coming with me.”
“Oh, okay,” I reply nervously. “I just don’t want to be in the way.”
He looks back to the road, paying close attention since he’s flying down the highway. “I want you there with me. Period.” Kyle’s hand lands back on my thigh, and I feel a sense of togetherness I can’t explain.
I was fine alone. I was surviving and succeeding because I’d become exactly who and what I needed to be so that I could. I was hard and tough, through and through. But Kyle put everything I thought I knew about who I was and what I wanted into a blender, hit the pulse mode, and changed it.
As a result, I’ve become softer and more accepting of love, which doesn’t make me weak or less than I was because at the end of the day, I’m still me—a mouthy, hot-tempered, stubborn woman who puts up with no shit, and I’m proud of that. And what I want now is… him. At my side, at my back, and maybe occasionally, stepping in front of me to take the hit for my own good.
I lay my hand on his, squeezing it, and he smiles.
“I love you,” I tell him.
“Fair warning, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that and I’m apparently ‘a needy bitch’.” He throws his voice as he says that, making air quotes and chuckling at himself, and I wonder if Wayne and the guys have been giving him a hard time or if it’s been his brothers. Guys are like that—happy for you when you find love, but also quick to give you shit about it. All in good fun, of course.