Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I never knew you were such a matchmaker,” Clint teased.
“Those of us who can’t do, teach. That makes sense in this context, right?”
Clint snickered. “Yeah, I think so. I know what you mean, regardless.” He opened his mouth to ask why Colby couldn’t do, but his cell rang. He tugged it out of his pocket to see August’s name on the screen. They’d texted a bit yesterday, August thanking him for taking them to Movies with Goats. “Give me a sec,” he said to Colby, and answered the call. “Hey, you.”
“Hey. I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” August said.
“Nah, I’m good. What’s up?”
Colby cocked a brow, and Clint was fairly certain that meant he could hear August through the phone.
“I just dropped Reese off at the farm for the first time. I know it’s soon, but Wyatt called and invited him. He was pretty stoked to go. It’s early, but if you’re not busy, I was thinking I’d bring some doughnuts over. Or we can do something later if you’re still in bed or something. Also, we don’t have to do anything at all if you’re not interested. I’m rambling. I don’t know why I’m rambling.”
Clint didn’t either, but it was cute as hell.
While he loved the idea of spending time with August, just the two of them, he didn’t want to be a dick and bail on Colby. “I’d love to b—ouch. Shit.” Pain shot through his shin where Colby had kicked him. Colby gave him a look that said, Go, dumbass, or at least that’s how Clint read it. “I’d love to. I’m on my way home right now.”
“You sure?” August asked. “And why did you say ouch?”
“It’s nothing, and yeah, I’m sure. I think I’ll beat you there, but if not, I’ll just be a couple of minutes behind.” They ended the call, and he said to Colby, “Did you have to kick me?”
“Are you complaining?”
He thought about the fact that he’d get some alone time with August. “No. I guess not.” Clint stood and reached for his wallet to get money for Colby.
“I don’t need it. You can buy the next two times. I get an extra meal out of today, so I’m not complaining either.”
Clint chuckled. He appreciated Colby doing this for him. “Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Go have fun.”
“We’re just friends,” Clint said again, but the whole drive home, he felt a flutter in his stomach that a person didn’t typically feel for someone they weren’t interested in. When he pulled up and saw August’s SUV there, the feeling intensified. “What the fuck is wrong with me?” he whispered, then killed the engine and got out.
As he did, August climbed out of his vehicle too, a pink box in his hands.
“I sure hope you got me an apple fritter,” Clint teased.
“I was hoping those were still your favorite.” August smiled. He was wearing a tight V-neck shirt that did amazing things for his arms and chest. His jeans were tight enough that Clint definitely noticed a bulge, not that he was looking. He did suddenly feel a little discomfort below his belt, though. “What?” August asked.
“What, what?” Clint countered.
“You’re looking at me funny.”
Which was his cue that he needed to chill the fuck out. “Sorry. Let’s go in.” He nodded toward the house, and August followed. Sweetie and Midnight attacked them the second they came in the door, of course. “You’d think I was gone for days.”
“To them, you were gone forever.” He handed Clint the box, then knelt and gave the dogs some love. Clint didn’t trust anyone who wasn’t a dog person, and August was certainly that.
“Do you drink coffee? I can put a pot on.”
“No, thanks.” August followed him to the kitchen.
“Water? Orange juice?”
“Juice works.” August sat on one of the stools at the bar while Clint poured them two glasses. His hair was still wet, likely not having dried yet from a shower that morning. Did he wake with his hair sleep-mussed every morning? What did an adult August look like when he first got out of bed?
Clint grabbed napkins, figuring they didn’t need to bother with plates, and took the seat beside him. August opened the box, which Clint now saw was filled with nothing but old-fashioned chocolate and apple fritters. “I see your favorite is the same too.”
“Eh, I’m a creature of habit, I guess.”
They each plucked one from the box and bit into the sweet treat. “You nervous about how things will go for Reese today?”
“Not really. He’ll be fine. I could tell by his excitement how much he wanted to do it. I’m mostly just thankful. I’m trying not to count my chickens before they hatch, but he’s been more like his old self the past few days.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“What about you?” August asked. “I feel like we’re always focused on me.”