Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“Yeah, if that’s okay. If this all goes as planned. In the worst-case scenario, you tell your family she got sick and go alone. That won’t give them enough time to invite naked Sara.”
Knox tosses his head back in laughter. “You’re the only naked woman I want or need, Corie girl.” He kisses me. “Go inside where it’s warm. I’m going to use the excuse that I was calling my sister.” He kisses me again, his smile wide.
“You need to tame that.” I point to his face.
“It’s going to be hard, but I’ll manage by the time I go back in.”
Another kiss, and I leave him to call his sister. Now, all we have to do is hope that Sloane is right, and the guys, including my brother, suggest I take her place.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Knox
* * *
If I’ve checked my phone once, I’ve checked it a thousand times. Sloane is supposed to be calling me, and the plan is for me to put her on speakerphone so that the guys can hear how sick she is. My leg bounces under the table as Baker deals the cards. It’s a bye week, and since I’m leaving tomorrow on our scheduled poker night, we’re doing it a day early. It was supposed to be at my place, but I played it off like I didn’t want to leave a mess the night before needing to go out of town, so Landry took one for the team and had us all over to his place. Not that he minds. Landry Reynolds is all about entertaining. I think it has something to do with all the leftovers he gets to keep at his place, but what do I know? Anyway, we needed Corie to be here for this to work, whch is why she’s on her way here from Sloane’s place. At least she’s supposed to be. So far, the plan is working, but we’re not through this yet.
Sloane was supposed to call ten minutes ago. I know she’s at her place, and I also know that my girl was with her. So, that makes me worry even more. Did something happen? Are they okay? Is Corie okay? My phone vibrates on the table before the panic can set in too deep. Turning the phone over, I see Sloane and instantly relax.
“It’s Sloane. I better get this,” I tell the guys. They all know what’s going on, that she’s supposed to be leaving with me tomorrow. It was their idea, and Sloane just ran with it. “Hey,” I answer, putting the phone on speaker so the guys can hear the conversation.
“Knox,” she croaks.
I play along. “Sloane? What’s wrong?”
“I’m sick. Strep throat.” She coughs, and I wince. She’s very convincing. “S-Sorry,” she says in her frog voice. “Can’t go,” she says, her words broken.
My shoulders fall, and I hope the look on my face says I’m disappointed that the plan she and the guys created didn’t work. “That’s okay. You get better. Take care of yourself,” I tell her.
“Yeah,” she mumbles, and the call ends.
“Well, there’s that,” I say, placing my phone face down on the table.
“Shit,” Baker mumbles. “That sucks.”
“Are you sure your girl can’t get out of whatever it is she’s doing?” Reid asks.
“Is she even real?” Landry asks. “You’re hiding her from us.”
“She’s real,” I assure him.
“And she’s not going to go off in a jealous rage?” Baker asks.
I shrug. “She knows she can trust me. She’s the only one I want. It is what it is. I hope that when I show up alone, I can convince my sister not to invite Sara, even at the last minute.”
“It’s not worth the risk, man,” Foster tells me. “Call Corie, see if she can help you.”
“Yes!” Reid agrees. “Baby Reynolds can save the day.”
“I can’t ask her on such short notice.” I shake my head as if the mere idea of asking her is off the table and out of bounds.
“Dude, that Sara girl is going to take all kinds of pictures and post them on social media,” Baker tells me.
“She’s grown up now,” I defend, even though I don’t want to. “I’m sure she’s matured.” It’s doubtful, and my sister knows damn well I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near Sara. She’s forcing my hand. My guess is that she picked up on my feelings for Corie at dinner or that Mom let it slip. Either way, I’m sure Everly has no idea the hoops I’m having to jump through to bring Corie with me.
Sloane, once again, is coming in clutch. I really do need to buy her a nice gift or something.
“I don’t know. She was once desperate enough to sneak into your house and climb into your bed naked. I wouldn’t bet on it,” Foster says.
“Reynolds, call your sister. Work your brotherly magic and see if she can help our boy,” Baker says.