Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Mom,” Trav complains, and it’s the first time I’ve ever heard him sound small.
“Your mother is delightful, Travis.” Mamá practically tackles Trav. Which is funny because she is a small little thing. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. I’m Regina.”
Trav swallows hard.
Then my mother turns to me. “Dylan, my boy.”
“Hi, Mamá.” We hug.
“Everyone’s out the back already. Go, go, meet and mingle. I’m going to talk to Cindy a little longer.”
I take Trav’s hand to go outside, but Cindy’s voice trails after us.
“We’re planning your wedding.”
Trav’s shoulders tighten, and his jaw hardens.
Then we hear our mothers’ laughter.
“Today is going to be torture,” Trav says.
He’s right about that.
“We only have to stay a few hours.”
Trav nods. “A few hours. No more.”
Epilogue
Trav
From the minute we hit the backyard and I lock eyes with my cousin, I know the next few hours are going to be more torturous than I’m anticipating.
“Heard wedding bells are in the air,” Gideon says from where he’s seated next to his fiancée, Evah. They’re by themselves at an outdoor dining table that’s piled high with food. It all looks delicious, but my stomach is in knots.
I knew marriage might have been brought up today, but we’ve been here a total of two minutes.
“Ha ha, very funny, you dick.”
Some of Dylan’s relatives turn to glare at me. Crap.
I quickly take a seat next to Gideon and give him a one-armed hug. This guy is practically my brother, seeing as he’s an only child and my siblings don’t live in California. Plus, our moms are close.
“Ignore Gideon,” Evah says. “Having recently done the whole meet the giant, intrusive family thing, if you need any pointers on surviving it, let me know.”
“Going to introduce us?” Gideon glances up at Dylan, who hasn’t sat down yet.
“Oh, right. Gid, Evah, this is Dylan. Dylan, Gideon and his fiancée, who is too good for him.” Okay, maybe I’ll eat some food after all, if for nothing than to stop the panic clawing at my chest.
My cousin shakes hands with Dylan, who’s standing over me, and I’ve never felt so boxed in before. Not by him. Not by anyone.
I don’t even know why I’m panicking. It’s not like I haven’t joked with Dylan before about us getting married. But … I dunno. It’s different when there’s an actual possibility of it one day.
“Ooh, wings.” I grab for the chicken and take a big bite.
“They’re not wings. They’re—”
With one bite, my whole mouth is on fire. “Holy shit, spicy.”
“Pollo al carbon. Mamá makes them with extra jalapeños.”
I cough and splutter, but hey, I’m not freaking out anymore. I’m too busy trying not to die.
Dylan reaches over me for some tortilla chips. “Here. Eat these. They’ll help.”
I munch on them, but my mouth still feels like it’s on fire.
A man who looks like an older version of Dylan and twenty pounds heavier approaches and says something to Dylan in Spanish that I don’t understand. Maybe I should get Ghost to teach me what he knows if I’m going to be with Dylan.
For all I know he said, the stupid meathead is stupid.
Dylan replies in Spanish and laughs.
Okay, I’m definitely going to need to learn it.
“Papá, this is Trav.”
I stand while holding back a cough and hold out my hand. “Sir,” I choke out.
Dylan’s dad chuckles. “I was just telling my son he should have warned you about the chicken.”
“I tried,” Dylan says. “But as you can see, he’s used to inhaling his food.” He gestures to my body.
I smile politely even though my eyes are watering. I probably look crazy. Or high. Maybe both.
“It’s great to finally meet you. But I’m going to steal my son away for a bit.”
“Go for it.” My voice still sounds like I have a mouth full of gravel.
“I’ll introduce you to my brother and sister later,” Dylan says. “Try not to die from chili poisoning in the meantime?”
“What’s safe to eat that won’t make me sweat more than doing recruitment drills in full gear?”
“Try the veggie fajitas.”
“Mm, vegetables. You sure know how to make my mouth water.”
“Trust me. They’re delicious.” He kisses my cheek before following his dad, and I can sense every pair of eyes on me.
I drop back into my seat and hang my head. “Could you pretend to be me for the next couple of hours, please?”
“Are you blushing?” Gideon asks. “It looks like you’re blushing. You. Travis West. Mr. Badass Motherfucker.”
“Shh, I don’t want any of Dylan’s family to know any of that,” I whisper. “And I’m not blushing. It’s the spicy food.”
“Damn. You really are in love with this guy, aren’t you? You’re all … not like yourself. You’re usually in control, and nothing fazes you.”
At first, I think my cousin is actually going to be sympathetic.
“This is so awesome.” Gideon takes out his phone.
“What are you doing?”