Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Tom takes one look at our joined hands, and I swear his lips twitch before he states, “Your food got cold.”
I shrug, taking a bite of the burger Major saved. “It’s delicious.”
“Gotta say, Jewls, you let me down.”
My attention goes to Talon, who’s shaking his head in disappointment.
“What did I do?”
“I was on my way to winning Ace’s room until you started playing tonsil hockey on national television.”
Heat flames up my neck and cheeks. It’s not surprising that he saw me, but this is getting ridiculous. “How did me kissing my date cost you Ace’s room?”
At the mention of my date, Major lets out a low growl.
“He’s a sore loser unable to admit defeat. Major beat his ass in poker and won fair and square.” Ford chuckles.
“You want Ace’s room?” I ask, not understanding. “What’s wrong with yours?”
Major’s room at the Club is awesome. It’s spacious with tons of natural light and a great ensuite bathroom. His furniture is exactly what you’d expect—bold and masculine.
“It’s an option. We’ll see.” He shoots a dirty glare at Talon, who grins cunningly.
“You wanna stop yakkin’ and take care of my customers?” Tom grouses, and I take off to greet the newcomers.
Before I’m out of earshot, I catch a portion of what Tom says. “Won’t ever understand what’s wrong with you boys. In my day, a pretty young thing showed interest…”
5
Major
My phone rings as I pull into the driveway, the familiar number flashing on the display.
“Dad—”
“Oh, I bet you wish this was your dad!” The screech fills the cab of my truck.
My stomach cringes, and I swallow my groan.
“I swear to God, if you give me an excuse of why you can’t talk, I’m coming down to Nashville tonight.”
“Mom, what’s the problem?”
“The problem is you have been avoiding my calls.”
“So, you steal Dad’s phone? I’ve replied to your texts for two days.”
“Major Powers, don’t get smart with me. I’ve been married to your dad for thirty-two years and have three sons exactly like him. You’ve avoided me by texting! I know how this game goes.”
“Busted.” Ace chuckles in the passenger seat.
I slice my eyes his way, knowing my mom has the hearing of a hawk.
“Hello, Achilles.” Her tone is now motherly and sweet.
“Yo, Cindy.”
“How are the wedding plans coming along?”
His amusement fades, and he shifts in the seat. This is a loaded question. Achilles and Harley’s wedding is three months away. Ace is the one who set the date, giving her an aggressive timeline.
He openly didn’t give a shit about much of the event. The only thing that mattered to him was the moment she legally became his wife and the honeymoon that followed.
Harley is generally super chill, but when he mistakenly mentioned this to her, she temporarily lost her mind.
That was this morning before we left for work. She’s given him the silent treatment all day.
“It’s coming along,” he mutters.
“Ace, take this as a lesson learned. Never tell a woman who’s neck deep in wedding planning you don’t care about the details. Just agree and offer to help.”
Not surprisingly, Mom is in the know. These women have a text thread miles long. Considering the wedding is at our house, every mom has a self-appointed task to help things run smoothly.
“Got it, Cindy. I’ll go offer to help right now.” He flicks his fingers my way on his exit.
The second the door slams, Mom dives in. “Now that I have you alone, we need to talk.”
I’m trapped with no choice but to listen. Dad’s birthday is around the corner. Since it’s his sixtieth and we will all be together for the first time in over a decade, she’s going big.
What started as a private dinner has escalated into a swanky country club affair.
Which is why I’ve been avoiding this conversation. She and her coven of friends are plotting to play matchmakers with my brothers and me. The invite list now includes a section of eligible single women attending with their ‘friends and family’.
She thinks she’s clever, but her covert plan is not a secret.
Harley may love the moms and be in premarital bliss, but she also loves her fiancé and shares with him. Sometimes too much.
That’s how I know.
Ace filled me in, and I passed along the information.
In hindsight, I should have kept the news to myself and let Sam and Drake sweat it out. Especially now that I’m no longer on the market.
“Mom, you have my full attention. What’s up?”
“Since you caused all this drama, you can clean it up. Call your brothers and tell them you are all safe. You can stop avoiding me like the plague.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play coy. Your father squashed the idea.” The term ‘father’ is emphasized snidely.
“Thank fuck.”
“Major! There is nothing wrong with a mother wanting her sons to meet a nice girl and settle down.”