Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
“You know me, brother—I grew up strong and sexy on Ma’s food,” Ryan said. “As long as I get my steak and baked potatoes every now and then, I’ll listen to your fitness preaching on social.”
How reassuring.
“First of all, if I said what you just said, the whole family would call me conceited,” I replied. “Second of all, we have good genes. Don’t thank Ma’s cooking. It may be delicious, but it’s also the reason Pop needs to manage his blood pressure.”
He furrowed his brow. “In my defense, when I call myself sexy and a perfect ten, I’m just adorable. When you do it, you sound smarmy.”
What the fuck? Smarmy?
“But the flannel and the scruff work for you.” He patted my cheek, and I scowled and wrenched away. “You’re remindin’ me of the kid I grew up with who got all the girls without even trying.”
Nice. Punch me in the face and then put on a sparkly Band-Aid.
For the record, adorable wasn’t the word I’d use to describe a six-foot-three Marine slash bartender with one too many scars from close combat.
“Smarmy,” I muttered to myself as we reached Subcakes. “That’s some insult.”
“Not anymore,” he stressed. “You’re cute as a button now.”
Great, thanks. I was sure cute as a button would land Natalie Nolan.
“Hi, gentlemen! Welcome to Subcakes! What’re we in the mood for today?”
Right. Time for lunch. I wanted the grilled chicken on sourdough bread—with extra dressing, believe it or not—and I was sure my brother wanted a side salad with his triple cheese and steak on white bread.
I was graced by Ryan’s presence the following Friday too, shortly after Natalie and I had wrapped up. She was sticking around to power down from the weightlifting she’d done today, so she was on the treadmill taking a slow walk when Ryan walked in with one of his twin boys.
“Unca Ethan!” the boy yelled, tugging on Ryan’s hand.
Loud was the only volume he knew. They, I should say. Like father, like sons.
“Ryder or JJ!” I hollered back from behind the counter. It wasn’t like I could tell them apart.
The kid cracked up. “I’m Wydah! He can’t see, Daddy.”
“He’s so weird, in’he,” Ryan chuckled. “The whole world can clearly see you’re my Ryder.”
“Yeah!” Ryder was in agreement.
I smirked and rounded the counter to greet them properly. Well, the kid. Not Ryan. Fuck Ryan.
Smarmy, my fine ass.
Ryder took off down the aisle, and I got ready to catch him and his cocky grin. When he jumped, I scooped him up and positioned him on my hip.
“How are you, kiddo?” I flicked the brim of his Mariners ball cap. “Is Nana spoiling you all day while Daddy’s working out?”
Ryder snickered. “Wha’s’at?”
Never mind.
Ryan joined us and gave his boy a smooch on the cheek. “You be good for Uncle Ethan, you hear? Daddy’s gonna go get stronger than he already is.”
I gave him a look. “Do I look like a babysitter?”
“Nah, you look like an uncle.” He clapped me on the shoulder before abandoning my ass and heading for the changing rooms.
Dipshit.
What if I’d had private sessions?
“Where’s your membership card?” I called after him.
He hollered over his shoulder. “It’s okay—I know the owner!”
I suppressed a sigh and faced my nephew. “Can I interest you in an energy drink or two? Maybe four.”
He giggled and nodded furiously, having no clue what I was talking about.
Just as well. I was serving him a sugar-free juice box anyway. Even though I would love to see the results of a Ryan Quinn Jr. on caffeine.
“Where’re your brother and sister?” I asked.
“Home and Nana and Pop-Pop!”
Got it. JJ was presumably with our folks, while Abby was back home in San Francisco. She had school. These toddler wackadoos did not.
“All right, let’s go find a distraction for you before you find a reason to blow your nose on my T-shirt,” I said. “Have you met Uncle Gray’s auntie?”
He shook his head, then shrugged. “I dunno. I know many people.”
I laughed and walked him over to Natalie’s treadmill. She’d slowed down to a stop, so I wasn’t worried about interrupting her. Much.
She smiled curiously when she saw us coming over, so that was a good sign. And I figured showing up with a child helped.
“Ryder, this is Natalie,” I told him. “She’s Uncle Gray’s family.”
“Hi!” Ryder waved.
“Hi, sugar. It’s good to meet you.” Yeah, she definitely liked kids. She rounded the treadmill and joined my side way faster with Ryder here. “I take it your daddy’s Ryan?”
“My daddy’s my daddy.” He nodded.
I grinned.
Natalie laughed softly and patted her towel across her neck. “You’re adorable, aren’t you?”
Ryder smiled bashfully and tugged at his shirt. “Yeah…”
I chuckled. “You’re lucky. She’s never called me adorable. Or sugar.”
“Aww, you poor thing.” Natalie shook her head in amusement at me. “I didn’t know it was appropriate to call your PT adorable.”