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)
Jewls stands and grabs her clothes from the drawer. “I’ll be quick.”
While she finishes in the bathroom, I pack our things and strip the bed. Several sparkly pins fall to the mattress, reminding me of last night. While Jewls slept on my lap, I gently took her hair down and ran my hands through the soft strands.
Thoughts of Koby plagued my mind for most of the night. Even in her sleep, she knew what I needed because when the anger and guilt set in, she’d cuddle closer, so there wasn’t any space between us. I kept her in my arms, only adjusting her when sleep finally came around three a.m.
The door opens, and when I catch sight of her, my blood rushes south. She’s wearing my shirt again, this time over a pink tank and denim shorts. The shorts are frayed at the hem, drawing my attention to her legs.
A new memory hits, this one of those legs straddled around me Thursday night. Primal hunger stirs low in the pit of my stomach, and when my eyes trail back to meet hers, she’s chewing her lip.
“Come here.” I drop the sheets and open my arms.
She walks to me, linking her hands around my waist. “Do you think it’s gross I’m wearing the same thing I slept in?”
“No, I like you in my clothes.”
“Good, because I love it. Plus, it smells like you and comforts me.”
“Anything you need, baby, I’ll take care of you. Just say the word.”
“My own personal superhero.”
“I feel the same.”
Her gaze goes soft, and she tips up to kiss me. “You taste like bacon.”
“Mom was making breakfast.”
Her face falls. “I hate we have to end the weekend this way.”
“Don’t think about that. Let’s get you to Rowan.”
“I’ll take these.” She scoops up the sheets.
I grab our bags and follow her to the kitchen where Talon is eating.
“Jewls, you didn’t have to do that. I have all week to clean up the house.” Mom takes the bundle.
“Major actually stripped the bed.”
Mom shoots me a look of pride. “My OCD boy.”
“Tell me about it.” Jewls giggles and the sound sets the mood.
“I’m with you guys,” Talon announces.
“Does this mean we have to listen to sports radio all the way home?” Jewls places her hands on her hips and fakes annoyance.
“You know it, baby girl. We all know how much you love hockey.”
The room erupts in laughter, except for her little squeak.
“Boys!” Mom chastises. “Have some class.”
“How about we never bring that up again?” I send Talon a challenging glare.
He pops a grape in his mouth, undeterred.
“Jewls, is there anything we can do?” Dad asks somberly.
“I don’t think so. Rowan’s family is in Alabama, and I’m sure they’ve been called. Ginger hasn’t left the hospital. Shayla is there now, too.”
“Any idea what happened? Could this be a home invasion gone wrong?”
“Maybe.” Jewls pauses, wringing her hands together. “Rowan dated a jerk of epic proportions, but it’s been over for months. She’s finally putting herself out there again. Who knows?”
“We should get on the road.”
“I’m sorry to leave like this. First, last night and then this morning,” Jewls trails off.
“Don’t you dare worry about that. Last night is already history. And you must get back to your friend. We understand. This weekend was wonderful despite the hiccups,” Mom assures her lovingly.
“Dude, you okay?” Sam mumbles at my side.
“I’m good if you never call me dude again.”
“You need us, you call.” He’s still hung up on last night’s events.
“We’re good.”
Jewls’ phone dings, and she immediately pulls it from her back pocket, her face screwing awkwardly. “No.”
“What’s wrong?” I lean in to read the message.
“My mom was understanding about not meeting up today, but now she’s sicking dumb and dumber on me. She’s sending them to Nashville.”
There’s a collective chuckle around the room because Thursday night, Jewls explained her family dynamic. One of her brothers and a cousin are on the force in her hometown.
My family got a kick out of dipshit triplets, dumb and dumber, Larry, Darryl, and Darryl… there are many names she uses to describe the trio of her overprotective brothers and cousin.
Normally, this would be humorous, but after last night and knowing what we’re facing today, I want Jewls alone tonight. “Want me to call her?”
“I’ll handle it in the truck. They all want to get all up my business.” Her accent comes full force, and Mom sends me an adoring glance.
I know exactly how she feels.
It takes a full five minutes to say our goodbyes until I finally drag Jewls to the truck.
“Talon gets shotgun. I need to work on the way home.” She climbs in the back, giving me a great view of her ass.
“There’s a little drool on your chin.” Talon elbows me in the ribs.
“Jealous?”
“Of you and Ace becoming pussy-whipped pansies? Not so much.”
I can’t even argue with that. “Maybe your ‘honey’ will be the woman to change that.”