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)
“Sounds good. See you soon.”
The guys pack up their tools, and Caleb rides with me while Toby and Justin follow.
We pull around the house, and my phone rings, displaying Major’s name.
“Hi.” I gesture Caleb to the garage side door.
“Who is in the red truck?”
Shit! The security system monitors.
“Well, hello to you, too, sweetheart. How was your day? Mine has been great, but exhausting.”
“Julianna, not the time.”
“Why are you monitoring the house? Aren’t you supposed to be teaching the warriors of the future how to disarm bombs, take down cartels, or whatever you guys do?”
“One more second, and I’m sending a squad to the house.”
“Ugh, you overprotective bull. My brothers and cousin are in town.”
“Your brothers and cousin are in town? Is this a surprise visit?”
“Not exactly.”
I let us into the house, turn on the lights, and lead them to the kitchen. Propping my phone between my shoulder and ear, I hand the guys bottles and pull out the pitcher of lemon drops Harley and I made last night.
I think about trying to cover up the day’s events, but he’ll know the truth tomorrow night. It’s no use lying. Besides, this is Ace’s surprise, not Major’s.
“Are you alone?”
“I am.”
“Can you keep a secret?”
There’s a beat of silence followed by a deep, exasperating exhale. “What did you and Harley do this time?”
“Why do you assume we did something?”
“Jewls—”
“Fine, we did something. But you have to keep it to yourself.”
“No promises.”
“We cleared Harley’s storage unit and moved it all into the house today. Harley is literally bouncing off the walls to surprise him.”
“And that’s why Toby, Caleb, and Justin are there? They came from Kentucky to move Harley?”
“We planned on movers, but they nixed that idea.”
“Babe, I’m thinking after today, you need to lay off the insults for a while.”
“You don’t know them. Give it an hour, and they’ll screw up all the goodwill.”
“I may not know them, but they drove down to Nashville to help their sister’s best friend surprise her fiancé. They also saved my ass from having to move it next weekend.”
“That’s a bonus for me.”
“You have plans for tonight?”
“I’m cooking your mother’s lasagna recipe, and then we’ll head back to my place.”
“Stay at the house. There’s plenty of room.”
“That’s kinda weird.”
“No arguments. Stay.”
“Stop bossing. I’ll see what they want to do.”
“I’ll message you later. We’re in ops training until midnight.”
“No worries.”
“Jewls?”
“Hmmm?” I welcome the tangy citrus martini filling my taste buds.
“Love you.”
The line goes dead, and I drop it on the counter, taking another sip and sighing at the deliciousness.
Then I notice the silence. All three men are staring at me with perplexed expressions.
“What?”
“This house?” Caleb asks.
It hits me this is their first time here.
“It’s intimidating, but you’ll get used to it.”
“Like you have?” His eyebrow shoots up.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your boyfriend had you on the phone the second we hit the driveway. You waltzed in with ease, and now you’re standing in the kitchen like you own the place.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time here, even before Major and I got together. The reason he was on the phone is that they are all security freaks and have this place monitored like Fort Knox. I forgot all about it, and when he saw your truck following me, he went overboard, like always.”
“Like always?” Justin questions.
“Major is overprotective.”
“Does he have a reason to worry?”
“All of them entered the world as natural-born protectors.”
They exchange a look that sends a chill over my skin. “What gives?”
“He sounds controlling.” Toby crosses his arms over his chest, leveling his eyes on mine. “And we don’t like it.”
Irritation sparks to life, and I mirror his move, crossing my arms. “Controlling, Tobias? What the hell gave you that impression?” He winces at the use of his name but goes on.
“Well, for one, him calling and demanding to know who you are with. Two, why are we in his kitchen instead of yours? Three, why haven’t you introduced him to your family? Four—”
“Stop right there and listen to yourself. You sound like an asshole. Major called because a strange truck was following me into his driveway. His concern is warranted. Second, this isn’t his kitchen. It belongs to all the residents, including Harley, since she lives here. She stocked it with your favorites as a thank you. I thought it would be more comfortable to eat here since it’s obviously six times bigger than mine. If you haven’t noticed, there’s a fantastic pool outside for you to enjoy while I finish dinner. Not one of these things points to my boyfriend being controlling.”
“Why haven’t you brought him to the farm?”
“We’ve been officially dating for two months. We’re busy and he’s been recovering from an injury. It’s not like it’s been years since I’ve hidden him.”
“I’m dating a girl for two months, no way she’s playing house when I’m not home.”