Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
That was how the back-and-forth started between Reese, Danny, Mathis, and Shay, with Em trying to play ref, so it was easy to tune it all out and focus on Leighton. And the food.
I draped an arm across the top of his chair and kissed his temple. “Everything good?”
He nodded and licked hot sauce from his hand. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was till I sat down.” He chomped down on a bread roll and reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes.
I chuckled.
“By the way,” he said, swallowing his food. “If you notice I’m quiet, I’m just processing talking to Mary and Elise today. They shared a bunch of memories about Dad, and…yeah.”
I smiled and squeezed his leg under the table. “I figured it was something like that.”
He looked a little timid as he wiped his mouth, and he inched closer. “And maybe it’s something else too. Can we talk outside?”
I lifted my brows. “Now? Sure.”
He nodded and scooted out his chair.
All right, so right now. Very well.
I hoped everything was okay.
I put my napkin next to my plate and told Reese to keep an eye out. I didn’t need Danny stealing my roast beef.
“Where are you going, Uncle Bo?” Alex called.
“We’re gonna discuss your wish list for Christmas,” I replied. “We’ll be right back.”
She fist-pumped the air.
Kids were so gullible.
Once in the hallway, I stuck my feet into my boots and followed Leighton out on the porch. The cold felt damn good, and I took a deep breath. The darkness and the silence were nice too.
I exhaled and joined Leighton next to the railing and leaned back against it.
Had something come up during his talk with the Quinns today? I’d been busy at the time. Alex had asked me to…to…braid her hair.
Four YouTube tutorials later, I’d convinced her to opt for pigtails. Pigtails, I could do.
“Have I been reading you wrong today?” I asked. “I thought you looked peaceful in the truck.”
His good mood had improved my own. He had that effect.
He shook his head and chewed on the inside of his cheek. “No, I’m happy.”
But…?
He let out a breath and shifted toward me. “Mary’s pretty clear about wanting me to move to Washington—and…I mean, I don’t want that. This is my home.”
Thank fuck he’d continued right away, ’cause if he’d stopped somewhere in the middle, I would’ve had to brace myself.
“I have a good poker face, but I’m happy to hear it,” I admitted.
He quirked a little smirk and peered up at me. “Funny you should mention. You’re kinda hard to read lately.”
“Huh?” I was an open fucking book around this guy.
He pushed away from the railing and positioned himself in front of me instead. “Okay, it’s like this. Before we hooked up, I wasn’t really paying attention to your expressions and stuff. I guess I was focused on the fact that you’re so easy to talk to.”
“’Cause I can’t quit runnin’ my mouth around you,” I chuckled.
Amusement lit up in his eyes. “Dude, same. But I’m…you know, trying to navigate my first real relationship or whatever I’m supposed to call it—”
“No, that’s the word,” I stated. “Relationship. You’re stuck with me now.”
He better not back out. I’d flip my shit after all the mental gymnastics he’d forced me through—and he didn’t even know. He had no idea how my brain spun circles around me at night these days. I’d thought about past relationships, my sexuality, expectations, vulnerability, and the future.
I wasn’t sure I had any answers, except…I was crazy about this guy, and he had the ability to bring me to my knees.
“Okay,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “In that case…I’m gonna be honest. I don’t know if it’s too early to go there, but I was kinda bummed when you said you and Alex are probably going to San Diego for the holidays.”
Oh. Well, hell, if he wanted us in Washington with him, I’d make that happen with a phone call—
“I was gonna invite you tomorrow after I found the balls,” he finished.
I let out a breath in half a chuckle, and I scrubbed a hand over my mouth. Poor kid—no wonder he was holding back if he couldn’t read me. I may talk a fuck-ton around him, but body language was important too.
I owed Leighton. He’d been brave enough to take the initiative before, first expressing he wanted more with me, and now this.
It was my turn.
I hooked two fingers behind his belt and tugged him closer, between my legs. “These past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on two things. Not fucking up this thing between us, and…not fucking up your training.”
His mouth twisted into a rueful smile. “Let the record reflect that I still find your lunch rule dumb.”
I knew he did, but it was important to me. “You need to be the best operator you can be. I’m already gonna be worried sick when you graduate and start taking on fieldwork. We can have lunch together when you’re an operator. For now, I want you to study and create bonds with your fellow recruits. Some of them will become your colleagues. A few will even be part of your extended family.”