Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 69534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
A cause that was now near and dear to my heart thanks to Searcy’s full explanation of her formative years, and how the Y had helped her so much along the way.
There was no way I’d ever skip this function ever again.
It was just too bad that tonight was not only the ball, but after the ball, I’d have to go into Dallas for an overnight shift at DFD—Dallas Fire Department.
Because the moment that Searcy stepped out in that dress…it was over for me.
If I didn’t have her at some point before I went into that shift, I might very well die.
“Holy shit,” I breathed.
“Do you like it?” she asked. “I had to go to a prom dress store for this. I about threw up when I saw the total.”
I’d offered to pay, of course.
Since she was doing me the favor by going.
However, she’d adamantly refused, and I’d let her.
Money was a weird topic right now with everything going on, and if she wanted to pay for her dress, that was fine.
As long as she didn’t try to pay for dinner or buy me anything, we’d be good.
“I fucking love it,” I said as I took her in in all her glory.
Long black dress that had a train behind her. Black shoes with red bottoms. Sparkles all over the dress.
Her hair was in a simple braided updo that looked complicated as hell, and her makeup was just shy of looking like she had none on at all.
Her eyes were green tonight, and her lashes looked long as fuck.
She wasn’t wearing fake ones, though.
I only knew that because she’d complained non-stop about how expensive lash extensions were, and even if she did have money now, she would never pay for them.
She’d gotten dressed at my house and had taken to leaving her more expensive stuff at my place since she didn’t want anyone at her own knowing what was going on.
Hell, even Kent and Anders had some stuff here for when they came over to hang out.
The house was looking rather lived-in lately.
The old place hadn’t felt like this since my dad had been alive.
“Ohh, that’s beautiful!”
Scottie’s voice had me turning to survey her.
She was home for the weekend, and she’d volunteered to go with us tonight as moral support.
I’d readily agreed since I didn’t want to leave Searcy alone at any point in the night, and if I had to talk to someone, I didn’t want Searcy having to deal with all the bureaucracy bullshit that came with these types of functions.
Not that I thought Searcy couldn’t handle it. She more than could.
But because I knew how shitty these functions were when you were forced to go, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
“You look stunning,” I said to my little sister.
Scottie beamed. “Thanks.”
I gestured to the door. “Y’all ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” Scottie said. “You?”
“I guess.”
Searcy snorted and slapped my shoulder as she moved past me.
She walked as confidently in an expensive pair of heels as she did in a pair of worn-out tennis shoes.
The two ladies made their way to my truck, and I helped both of them inside before slamming the door to my ol’ red Dodge.
“Should’ve cleaned out the dust,” I muttered as I looked into the passenger seat where Searcy was to see all the dirt and grime on the seat.
“It’s black.” She shrugged. “It’ll wipe off.”
I started the grumbly diesel up, and we were headed to the outskirts of Dallas where the event was being held at a convention center.
Why we couldn’t do this in Decatur, I didn’t know, but I wasn’t the one to plan this out.
Did it make sense that we would do it in the same town that we were trying to help? Yes.
But I was going anyway.
The drive took forty-five minutes, and by the time that we arrived at the event center, I was angry because I hated having to deal with stupid traffic.
“How’s Calliope doing?” Scottie asked.
I’d filled Scottie in on everything Calliope relayed when she’d arrived.
“Calm your tits, Hicks.” Searcy giggled as I put the truck in park and got out.
“They are calm,” I grumbled as I helped first Searcy out, then Scottie.
“They don’t appear calm,” Searcy teased as she tried to squeeze my nipple through my suit jacket.
I caught her around the waist and pulled her to me, laying a quick one on her before holding my arm out to both of them. “Let’s get this shit over with.”
“Don’t say that once we get inside,” Scottie mumbled.
“I’ll try,” I lied.
I’d say it if I wanted to.
“Sure you will,” Searcy countered. “Didn’t you try not to get so frustrated with Sweet Baby Ray, and then got all butt hurt after he came right up to me today and went into his pen without you having to chase him everywhere?”
“Whatever,” I grumbled. “That was just luck.”