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)
My eyes cut to my oldest brother. “Caleb, you break out in hives if someone mentions the word commitment. Have you ever dated anyone for two months?”
His wince is my answer. “You’re moving fast, Jewls.”
“Is he the reason you ditched us at Christmas?”
My eyes swing to Toby, anger clawing at my throat. “How dare you? Achilles and Major were shot. Harley was a mess. She needed me.”
“We need you, too. And your new boyfriend seems to take all of your time.”
“Not that this is any of y’all’s business, but you’re family and I would have explained this, eventually. Major and I met years ago at a funeral for Harley’s grandfather. There was a spark of attraction, but the timing was all wrong. Last fall, we were witness to our best friends falling in love and getting engaged. Major and I got closer, but once again, the timing wasn’t right. Until it was. Now, we’re together. You may think this is fast, but it isn’t.”
“Mom’s beside herself. She came home fawning like a goddamn Disney fairytale is playing out.”
“Is that so bad?”
“No, but fairytales aren’t real. We don’t want to see you hurt.”
Justin’s always been regarded as the toughest of the trio. But there are times, like now, when he lets his soft spirit show through.
I take a second to study all of them, seeing the same apprehension hiding underneath their macho attitudes.
I go to Justin, wrapping my arms around his waist and squeezing tight.
“I love you for caring about me. But trust that I can handle myself. Especially with my love life.”
His torso jerks, Toby and Caleb groaning at my words.
“He’ll never be good enough for you.”
“You’ll understand when you meet him. He’s a lot like you.”
His eyes soften, and he tugs on my ponytail. “That’s a point for him.”
My response is muffled as my face smashes into his shirt while two sets of arms squish me. “We love you, Julianna Cantana,” Toby sings in my ear.
I squirm to get loose, their sweaty clothes rubbing all over me. “Get away. You stink.”
They give me some space, and the mood is instantly lighter.
“Your boyfriend care if we jump in that pool?”
“No, Toby, he actually suggested we stay here tonight. Each of you could have your own room and bed.”
“How big is this place?”
“Seven furnished bedrooms, three of them currently guest rooms. Living room, dining room, kitchen, pool house, Jacuzzi, and an upstairs game room that is equipped with the newest technology an rivals IMAX.”
This gets their attention. “Harley also stocked the outdoor fridge. Go enjoy the pool. I’m taking a hot bath and enjoying another Lemon Drop before I slave over your meal.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll grab our bags.” Justin leaves me with my brothers.
“Do you love him?” Caleb asks.
I brace, hoping my answer doesn’t come with a lecture. “I do. I’ve loved him for a long time.”
“We want to meet him, Jewls. Preferably before you’re walking down the aisle.”
A wave of emotion rolls through my system, and my eyes burn with tears.
“If you knuckleheads make me cry, you get hotdogs for dinner.”
“No better time to prep for the Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.” Toby chomps his mouth obnoxiously and rubs his stomach.
His goofy grin and Caleb’s horrified expression take me back to my childhood, and a loud snort escapes.
Larry, Darryl, and Darryl may be idiots, but I do love them.
25
Major
Nothing seems out of place until I reach her room and see the bed is torn apart. An acrid smell hangs in the air, and the only light comes from the cracked bathroom door. I peek in the slit, movement on the floor catching my eye.
“Jesus, Jewls.” I lean over her crumpled body and feel the heat coming off her skin.
“Don’t touuuuch…” Her voice trails off, and her eyes roll to the side.
Her hair is matted, and her skin clammy, covered in goosebumps.
“Baby?”
At that, she wretches, hauling herself to the edge of the toilet. Her small frame wracks, but nothing comes out.
“Get away,” she groans, her head slanting in a way that pulls her back to the tile before I catch her. She jerks in pain, moaning helplessly.
The movement pulls her oversized shirt to her waist, and she’s covered in bruises. Anger explodes, twisting my insides tight.
“Fuck, baby, what happened? Did someone hurt you?”
“Moving is hard… Food poisoning,” she whimpers, her body quivering.
I slip out, keeping her in my sights, and yank the sheet off her bed to cover her legs. Her breathing levels, and I gently tuck her to me.
After a few minutes, she’s sleeping soundly. Carefully, I fold her in my arms, bypassing her bed and going to the sofa. She lets out another whimper, but drifts off, curling in the sheet.
I strip and remake her bed, clean the bathroom, and head back to the kitchen, checking my phone for her last text.