Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Not my favorite Neil Diamond song, but I’ll give you the point on the board for the word connection.”
Jukes lightly chuckles before kicking his chin to the screen. “Everything good?”
“Mmm,” is hummed in more contemplation than definiteness, “I see a bit more tooth wear on his back molars than I’m comfortable with; however, it’s not enough that requires additional examining at this time.” Carefully sliding out the device precedes me concluding, “I will say let’s check back in in three months instead of six. Your wisdom teeth are also beginning to come in, so I want us to keep an eye on that as well to avoid other issues or complications.”
“Hear that, bro?” Bronny cockily boasts. “I’m gettin’ wise.”
“Yet not wise enough to keep your underage dick off the internet.”
“It was gonna be on Snap not the internet!”
The exhale of exasperation that escapes Jukes leads to my intervening again. “We will discuss rules and boundaries and expectations – for both when Thayne is home and when he’s not – over dinner.”
There’s no denying the relief or excitement that Bronny is anxiously trying to hide. “Can we get ‘za? I been cravin’ that ish since I’ve been here and we ain’t had it one time.”
“Really?” grunts his big brother in amusement as much as annoyance. “Is saying the word pizza just too much mouth movement?”
“From the guy they call tendy because goaltender and net minder are too long?” I tease at the same time I power down my equipment.
“Gooaaaallllll for Gilly!” obnoxiously squawks the teenager.
“Don’t make me take back those boots I jus’ bought you,” threatens Thayne on a playful glare that’s followed by him smiling in my direction, “or the ones I just bought you.”
“You bought me boots?!”
“Dalvegan green,” is bashfully spoken. “Thought you might wear ‘em on game days.”
Buying me boots without asking?
Thoughtful.
Signing me up to help raise a teen without talking it out first?
Less thoughtful.
Even if we both know I want to help.
Plan on helping.
“I gotta take a leak before we leave,” Bronny announces upon my body moving backwards to create space for him to exit the chair.
“Down the hall to the right. Door is on the left,” I inform post removing my mask. “And don’t forget to wash your hands.”
“I always wash my hands.”
Thayne and I present sarcastic expressions in tandem.
“Whatever…” murmurs the young guy on his way out of the room.
Thayne waits until I’ve finished putting away my equipment to timidly ask, “Am I hearin’ the tuneskie right, Gillybean?” Him slyly creeping closer is attached to another sheepish investigation. “You’re gonna help me take care of Bronny fulltime?”
“Yes.” Winding my arms around his midsection, the second he’s within reach is mindlessly done. “Of course.” His smile lighting up leads to mine doing the same. “But I meant what I said, Thayne. We will make decisions and rules and plays, together, going forth, especially when it comes to how we co-guardian Bronny. I’m working really hard to let my voice be heard. I don’t want it drowned out again. Got it?”
“Like a game winning save, baby.”
Small giggles escaping me are smothered out by his mouth lovingly landing on mine. Both of his hands possessively cup my face, letting just the tips of his fingers dig into the edges of my neck, anchoring me to him.
This moment.
This monumental decision there’s no coming back from.
Light whimpers grow in intensity each time his tongue laps mine yet increase in quantity when he accelerates the speed.
Gently guides me back until my ass bumps against the seat.
Swipes left and right, left and right, harder and harder as though convincing my scrub covered thighs to part wide.
Or simply wide enough to accommodate his large frame that’s now wedging itself between them.
Okay, banging at the office probably isn’t the right example to be setting for the teen we’re about to have complete responsibility for, but I feel we could toothpaste lid twist it into a life lesson.
Maybe one about spontaneous hookups being something special for your special person?
All of a sudden, a throat clearing sound convinces us to split apart, prompting me to give a loving, scolding speech about the importance of closed doors and knocking, when the sight of the individual responsible for the noise stuns me silent.
Shit.
“Hm,” Dad cheekily chuckles to himself, “is that a new technique for cleaning teeth?”
“Ohmyg-”
“I don’t think the human tongue is sterile enough for that,” teasingly adds my mom.
“Wh-”
“That’d be a dog,” Thayne needlessly joins in the conversation.
“No!” Both hands scramble to push my boyfriend off of me at the same time I squeak, “That’s a myth!” Tugging my hot pink scrubs back into the correct position is accompanied by me huffing, “A huge, disgusting, misleading myth!”
“Uh-huh and your tongue in his mouth is…?” Dad playfully pokes alongside the whirling around of his almond brown skinned finger.
“Not something you were supposed to see,” escapes in a flustered mumble and nose scrunch.