Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 74882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“The last two. It’s going to be crowded,” I say with a groan, surveying the big group.
Everyone is here. Even Alejandro and Toro. That damn dog may have missed me, but we both know he found a new amigo while I was gone. We have around thirty cots in the back, and nearly as many people. It’ll be a rough night for sure. Especially with Toro’s rank ass in there with us, dropping fart bombs in the close quarters.
I walk Doris over to my abuela, who’s sitting with a few other old folks. She immediately starts in on her son Henry, pointing to Damian, who blushes at the attention. I stop Dale before he can join them.
“How come you never correct her?” I ask, frowning.
Dale’s usual smile falls and he seems older. “We lost Henry in the Gulf War. It’s been thirty years since we buried him. Lately, Doris doesn’t remember that he passed. Always asks about him.” He looks over at Damian, who is playfully trying to kiss Carson. “For some reason, she thinks Damian is Henry and I can’t bring it in me to watch her heart break again.”
Oh.
“I’m sorry,” I say in a gruff tone. “For your loss.”
“Henry’s gone.” He smiles at me. “I’ve learned to live my life without him, because I’ve had to.”
His comment hits me in the gut. My chest aches as I think about Dad. The last time I spoke to him, it was probably five months before his stroke. I stopped in for a few days to visit in between flights. He asked a lot about Mamá and the hotel. It would always make me feel guilty whenever he would ask about his ex-wife, knowing I was the reason for their split. They fought over my dreams. Dad won. Mamá moved on.
When he had his stroke, I expected him to bounce back.
He never recovered.
“How do you learn to live without someone who meant everything to you?” I ask, hating how small my voice sounds.
“You let go of the guilt, son,” Dale says, reaching up to squeeze my shoulder. “It gets easier after that.”
Chapter 11
Sheridan
“You’re doing it again.”
“Mmm?”
Damian cackles. “Well, at least tell me if it’s good. Is he hung? Does he taste delicious?”
Snapping out of my fantasy, I jerk my head to glower at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“And I don’t know every shade of pleather pants ever made.” He snorts. “You can’t fool me. We’re besties now, Sherrie, so spill.”
“Sheridan,” I grumble, which only makes him laugh. “And I wasn’t thinking of sucking his dick.”
His grin grows wide and wolfish. “Bet you are now...”
Ugh. Damn him.
“I know I am,” Lawton complains. “I have to work with him. It’s best if I don’t have to actively think about his yummy dick.”
Oh, God. These two are insane.
“On a scale of average Joe to holy-shit-it’s-the-king-of-cocks, what do you think he is?” Damian taps at his ruby red painted lips with a rainbow fingernail. “I felt it and he’s totally packing a monster. But the king of all cocks? I’d need to inspect it closer.”
When he licks his lips, I roll my eyes at him. “You’re such a spaz.”
“Do you need someone to help take a look because I’ll volunteer if his girlfriend says no?” Lawton asks Damian, sending them both into a fit of laughter.
“I’m not his girlfriend,” I grumble, but neither of them listens.
The lights flicker and Kyle groans from the booth he’s sitting in with Estefania.
“Don’t take that tone with me, mister,” Damian calls to him. “You know the rules. I don’t make them, I just abide by them.”
“Damian, you totally made the rules. Like literally an hour ago.” I shake my head in exasperation when he waves me off.
“That was forever ago, honey, and I’ve had way too many shots to remember something so ancient.” He prances around pouring another shot of the cheap tequila that sort of grows on you into the five of our shot glasses. “Now drink. Every time the lights flicker, we drink.”
I suck down the third shot I’ve consumed this hour. Camilo has been making his rounds with Carson, talking to everyone while we slowly drink ourselves into a stupor. I’m thankful I have the alcohol because the hurricane is barreling our way and it stresses me out.
“Okay, girlfriends, I don’t know about you two, but I need to fix my makeup. Come on, girls.” Damian stands, clapping his hands at me. “Chop-chop.”
I laugh at his antics. Lawton just shakes his head as he slides from his chair and walks over to where Carson and Camilo are now standing. All three men absently pick food off a plate on the table as they talk. As Damian begs Estefania to go with us, I get caught staring at Eduardo. I don’t think he’s sat down the entire day. Just worked his ass off in the kitchen to feed everyone and fuss over them. My heart does a little squeeze in my chest. I’m not used to these squeezes. It’s uncomfortable.