Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
“Calm down, both of you,” she orders.
“I am calm, darling,” Connor assures her. “I was merely issuing a warning.”
Everly whirls into the living room like a human tornado. Her twin follows like a summer breeze. “What’s all the ruckus about?” She hops behind Connor and Dred, puts them both in a headlock and rubs her face on their hair like a cat.
Victor observes the affection with a pleased smile.
“Flip asked Tally on a date, and she hasn’t responded yet,” Connor explains.
“Tally as in Tally Vander Zee? The coach’s daughter?” Everly’s eyes light up.
“That would be the one,” Dred confirms.
“She’s still in university,” Victor says.
Connor coughs to cover a laugh.
“She’s graduating this semester,” Dred explains.
“So she’s what, like, twenty-one?” Victor presses.
“She’ll be twenty-two this summer.” Connor side-eyes Everly.
“And you’re twenty-what?” Everly asks.
“I’m thirty.” I’ll be thirty-one before Tally is twenty-two.
“Ooohhh. The big three-oh.” Everly climbs over the back of the couch, wiggling between Connor and Dred. “But that’s less than a decade. Hollis is twelve years older than Hammer, and Roman is, like, ten years older than Lexi, right?”
“That’s correct.” Dred allows Everly to link their arms so the three of them become a human chain.
Victor deposits himself on the other side of Dred and does the same. They make a cute family.
“Why does it feel like less of a difference with Lexi and Roman?” Everly asks. Her head bobs from side to side, touching Connor’s shoulder, then Dred’s, like she’s channeling a windshield wiper.
“Life experience,” I suggest.
“Hmm…” She nods, contemplating. “How old is Kellan?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Connor says.
“Obviously I’m not thinking about it now.” Everly rolls her eyes. “But I’m not that far off from twenty. Then can I date a hockey player?”
“Only if you like your boyfriends with no teeth,” Connor says flatly.
“You have all your teeth,” Everly points out.
“Yes, well, no one has pried mine out with pliers.”
“Dred will let me date a hockey player.” She snuggles into Dred.
My phone pings with a message.
Everyone goes silent.
I exhale an anxious breath.
“Aren’t you going to look at it?” Victor asks.
“Give me a second.”
“Nut up, bro,” Everly replies cheerily.
“She’s definitely yours,” I say to Connor.
I open the message.
Tally
I would love to go on a date with you.
“Well? What did she say?” Victor seems to be on the edge of his seat.
“She said yes.”
Dred smiles. “See? I told you everything would be fine.”
“Shit, we’re playing Nashville tomorrow.”
“We’re not playing the following night, though.” Connor’s tone implies that I’m an idiot for not reaching this conclusion on my own.
“I’d like to take her out as soon as humanly possible.”
Connor nods to my phone. I flip him the bird.
“I love how sweet you two are with each other,” Dred deadpans.
Flip
I’m glad to hear that. Tomorrow is out because of the game. Are you still coming, and would you be free the day after for a date?
Tally
I have night class the next night, and then I volunteer at the cat shelter and have dance rehearsals the following night. But I’m free on Friday.
I can practically hear her biting her lip.
“She’s busy until Friday,” I inform them, since everyone seems to be waiting for the play-by-play.
“Are you busy that night?” Connor sips his tea. He looks ridiculous holding a china teacup in his massive hand.
I avoid a snarky comeback and type a message instead.
Flip
Friday is perfect. Does seven o’clock work for you?
Tally
Seven is great!
Flip
Perfect. Can’t wait.
Tally
Me neither.
Flip
Have a good night, Talls.
Tally
You, too.
Flip
Hey, Talls?
Tally
Yes?
Flip
In four days, I get to take you on our first official date.
Tally
I’m very excited for that.
Flip
Me, too.
Tally
And for the kiss at the end.
Flip
Right there with you.
I slide my phone back into my pocket.
“Well?” Everly holds up her hands. “What’s the deal?”
“Friday is a go.”
“Where are you taking her?” Victor asks.
“Somewhere nice,” Everly says. “Connor knows all the best places.”
“This is true,” Connor agrees. “You should consider buying her a dress.”
“I don’t know that you need to outfit Tally for your date.” Dred side-eyes Connor.
“I buy you dresses all the time.”
“You also bought me an entire lodge for Christmas, so it’s safe to say you consistently go overboard with the gift giving.”
“Connor loves buying things for Dred.” Everly hops off the couch. “What about flowers and candy instead of a dress? Something thoughtful and sweet. Like Connor always brings me and Victor treats when he has away games. And he leaves love notes for Dred in the library. One for every day he’s gone.”
I grin. “Man, you’re a sap for my best friend, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely.” He kisses Dred’s cheek.
“I will take all the help I can get with making this the best damn date Tally has ever been on.” I might be out of practice, but I’m sure dating is like riding a bike, practice makes perfect.
“And the best damn date you’ve ever been on, too,” Dred says with a smile.
“Exactly.”
Our lives are about to get a whole lot more complicated.