Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
“Hey.”
“Sorry, kid. I just got your message,” he says, the background noise making it difficult to hear him. “I’m going to tell my date I’m cutting out early and will be on my way.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’re just about done. Mom and Dad and Bax’s brother and cousins are helping.”
“Are you sure? I can be there in thirty minutes.”
I look at the driveway. Except for my couch, a couple of odd pieces of furniture, and a few more boxes, almost everything is already inside.
“I’m sure.” The sound of the tow truck backing up catches my attention, and I watch Chief Marshall direct the driver where to stop in front of the semi.
“All right, but I’ll help you with whatever you need this weekend.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you sure you’re good?” he asks, sounding like he feels guilty.
“I’m sure. Enjoy your date.” I hang up with him after saying goodbye, then take the lamp inside.
When I get back outside, the tow truck and semi are gone, but Chief Marshall is still here. He calls me over to have me sign off on some paperwork and to let me know that the delivery company I used will be calling me. He also tells me that I should demand a full refund, which I just might do.
By the time I’m done speaking with him, the guys have taken everything into the house. When I step back into the foyer, Talon is coming up the hall with Cobi and Jax right behind him.
“Bax is setting up your bed, but he’s almost done, so we’re going to take off,” Talon tells me, stopping near the front door.
“Thanks again for coming to help. I owe you.”
“It’s all good,” he replies, Jax and Cobi saying something similar before they offer goodbyes to my mom, dad, and me, then head out the door.
I turn to my parents.
“Do you want us to help with anything else tonight?” Mom asks, looking around at the massive amount of boxes and furniture that has taken over Kourtney’s living room.
“No, I need to go through everything, and that’s going to take a little time.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. You guys already did too much.” I hug her tight. “Thanks again for coming on such short notice.”
“You know we’re here anytime you need us.” She lets me go and starts to put on her coat as I look over at my dad, who holds open his arms to me.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“No problem.” His lips press against the top of my head. “I’ll be over Saturday to start taking stuff to storage.”
“You’re the best.” I let him go and allow him to move toward the open front door, watching him take Mom’s hand to help her down the steps. Wrapping my arms around my middle, I stand in the doorway and wait until they are backing out of the driveway before I close the door.
When I turn to face the living room, I draw in an exhausted breath, then maneuver around my couch that is pushed up against Kourtney’s, with my dining table stacked on top of it. I walk past the kitchen, the half bath in the hall, and the spare room Kourtney uses as an office that is attached to my room through a Jack and Jill bathroom. Her bedroom is on the opposite side of the house. When I reach the end of the hallway, I squeeze past my mattress that is propped up against the wall and step into my bedroom, finding Bax bent over the frame of my bed as he puts it together with tools he must have brought over from his house at some point.
“You really didn’t have to do this. I could have had my dad or even Liam help me this weekend,” I say quietly, and he lifts his eyes to mine. From a distance, they look crystal blue, but up close, I know they’re seafoam green with a jade ring, keeping the lighter shade contained within, the colors unique to only him.
“It’s not a big deal, and it will be better than sleeping on that tonight.” He motions to the twin-size air mattress that is half deflated and folding in on itself.
He’s not wrong. I’ve been using it for the past few days while I waited for my stuff to get here and have woken up each morning practically on the floor, with every inch of my body aching.
“Did Liam ever call you back?”
“Yeah, but he was downtown, so I told him not to worry about coming since everything was basically inside at that point.”
He nods, then watches me as I step farther into the room.
“How can I help?”
“I’m about done.” He moves to my forest-green, velvet, pin-tucked headboard and lifts it with ease, sliding it into the slots that attach it to the frame. “Do you have your sheets?”