Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Ian tilts his head, his eyes narrowing in on me like he's getting ready to give me shit. Sage's eyes are on Eloise, wide and hopeful. It's clear she's not sure what's going to happen either. No one's really sure, except maybe Beckett, who nods again with that annoying confidence that makes me want to punch him.
I'm out on a limb here, but the longer Eloise looks at me, the more I start to worry she’s going to refuse. What started as a crazy impulse is turning into something that feels like it’s meant to be. I know I sound like a cheesy greeting card, but I don’t fucking care.
When I look at her, I can’t even picture Coach Martin's kid. All I see is a confident, beautiful woman who reached right into my chest and stole my goddamn heart. She's not the shy, quiet kid I remember. Hell, I'm not the same guy either. A million things have changed, but I get the sense we're both still wondering who the other really is.
"You would be doing me a huge favor. I'm desperate to escape Beckett's zoo," I lie. I love my brother’s animals, but I’m willing to say anything to convince Eloise to let me move in. My voice sounds strange, like it doesn't quite belong to me.
There's a moment when I think she's about to tell me to fuck off, that she'd rather be homeless than live with me. But I don't move, and neither does she. We're stuck in this stand-off, both trying to outlast the other.
Then it hits me. I need this to happen. There’s no other choice.
"Don’t worry, Eloise," Ian finally breaks the silence. "He’s mostly housetrained." His voice drips with mock surprise, and Sage nudges him, trying to keep the moment from turning into a total shit show.
"That's good to know," Eloise says with a laugh, her voice slicing through the suffocating tension that cloaks us. "It would be great for you to move in." Relief floods my body like a crashing wave, my pulse pounding furiously in my ears, drowning out everything else.
"This is great news," Sage chimes in, her voice carrying relief mixed with excitement. But that's not what I'm after, even if no one but me really knows that yet. “We can all help Atlas move in here this next week.” A round of groans rolls through the room at her declaration.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, feeling the tension ease from my shoulders. "Sounds great."
There's a spark of something in Eloise's eyes, like she can't believe this is actually happening. Hell, I can't either, but that doesn't stop me from wanting it even more.
"It's settled." Beckett claps his hands, and his grin says he didn't expect me to pull this off. The asshole turns to my girl. "Just remember, I don’t take returns."
"Like I want to return to your madhouse." I glare at the fucker, hoping to hide the fact that I’m completely out of my damn mind for this girl.
Before Beckett and I can really get started arguing, Sage starts handing out orders like the best drill sergeant. "Time to get back to work.”
While I help my brothers gather more boxes, I can’t help but watch Eloise.
She's engaged in conversation with Sage, and the way her laughter rings out sends a whirlwind of sensations through my body. Her light and infectious laughter seems to dance in the air, making my heart race and my skin tingle with an inexplicable thrill.
"We should celebrate," Beckett suggests, throwing his arm around Sage. "Pizza and beer after we finish this round?"
Ian automatically growls, “Keep your goddamn hands to yourself,” before stepping between Beckett and Sage.
"We can go to Rosie's," Dawson cuts in. “Ian’s buying.”
That gets Ian’s attention. "How come I'm buying?"
"Because we’re all spending our Saturday off helping you move boxes," Dawson replies before mouthing, “duh.”
"Fine, but I'm picking the toppings." Ian can’t resist pizza. My parents used to say he was going to turn into a pepperoni.
I can hear their banter, but it's Eloise who I can't stop watching. The way she moves, the way she talks, it's like everything comes alive around her.
Ian's truck engine rumbles beneath me, but it's nothing compared to the noise in my head. I'm fucking moving in with my woman. Jesus. My thoughts keep me occupied as we pile all the boxes into Ian and Sage's house.
Once we finish up, we head over to Rosie’s to wait for Eloise and Sage. My dumbass brother insists on waiting for them before we’re seated so we end up standing in the front of the restaurant twiddling our thumbs.
Finally, the girls walk in, and Sage flings herself at Ian, kissing him as if they haven't seen each other in ages.
“Hi,” Eloise says, glancing at the rest of us with a faint smile. “Sorry we’re late.”