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)
Or maybe…I don’t know…they were just grateful their friend was actually happy and not just fakin’ it to fit in?
She used to do that shit a lot.
Definitely with them.
Not anymore.
Now, she has opinions and preferences and is less afraid when she doesn’t want to just go with the flow.
Man, I swear seeing her confidence grow makes me grow.
My heart as much as my dick.
Somethin’ that doesn’t always have the best timin’.
Like now.
These pants are a bit too snug for that.
Fucking and not tearin’ ‘em in the truck was Cup level of impressive.
“What was The Battle of Agincourt?” barely finishes leaving Kira’s lip before my tendy reflexes take over again.
“Thayne,” she excitedly states with a finger jab. “You’re up on your own this time.”
“It was a fight in the Hundred Years’ War-”
“Which was actually a one hundred and sixteen years,” interjects the man who thought he had this one in the bag.
“-and it was significant ‘cause it showed how the English longbow could really tear shit up against the knights.”
“Correct,” Lionel sighs before the host of the game can.
“How did you know that?” Gilly quickly investigates, intrigue doing crossovers in her gaze. “I didn’t think you were big into non-music related history.”
“I’m big into being a good teammate,” I warmly retort. “And Snowman is an avid history buff. We’re talkin’ knows more about old battles than I do old music.”
“How are we defining old?” Béchir good naturedly pipes up. “And be careful how you answer because the wrong one will get you banished to the kids’ table.”
Snickers spread around the room prior to my girlfriend announcing, “Jukes may be young on paper, but he’s mature at heart.”
“Thanks for the compliment, Gillybean.”
“Ughhhhh,” Aly huffs at the same time she picks up her wineglass, “if you two get anymore adorable, Pixar will and should sue.”
More laughter fills the space allowing me to expel a small exhale of relief.
We’re in the second period.
Second verse.
Let’s keep these vibes going just like they were in the first.
“Next question,” Kira proclaims during her dive back into the box for a random card. This time when she pulls it out, she reads, “Category is literature.”
“Most books have too many words in them,” Allerick jokingly comments, “so I’m already out of the running for the answer.”
Our chuckles are faint enough to still hear the host ask, “This USA Today Bestselling Author of historical and contemporary romances’ first three novels were Night Song, Vivid, and Indigo. Who are they?”
Aly’s mouth and hand twitch in tandem, yet she doesn’t commit.
Nor does Ciara.
Or Alexis.
She doesn’t even appear to have understood the question.
All of sudden, my girlfriend slowly lifts her paddle to throw out a guess, “Beverly Jenkins?”
“That’s correct!” squeals Kira in utter shock.
“Damnit!” barks Aly in frustration. “I knew I knew that one!”
“I swore you were gonna get it!” our host eagerly concurs. “You love black romances!”
“Beverly is like the GOAT!” Gilly’s other best friend gushes.
Curiosity has me dropping my gaze down to the woman I’m holding hands with. “Telenovelas I know.” Her stare shifts to mine. “But romance novels? Is that new?”
“Kind of…” The tiny cringe she flashes creates a small ache in my chest. “I like just started to give them a chance. I don’t know that I’m that into them, but I don’t not enjoy them.” Nervousness instantaneously takes over. “They’re not like the only thing I read or that I will be reading or that I’m open to reading.”
Supporting her new choice to try something different is effortless as well occurs with a crooked grin. “Baby, I’m not gonna judge you for readin’ whatever you wanna read. You like it? I’ll love it.”
She lets the corner of her lip kick upward. “You really wanna finish that lyric, don’t you?”
“I may die if I don’t.”
Our small snickering exchange is interrupted by the best friend she beat out for the point, “When did you read Beverly?” Her neck slightly cranes forward, pulling my love’s focus in that direction. “And why? You never mentioned being open to the books before.”
“You didn’t ever ask me to be,” Gilly quietly defends while toying with her jukebox necklace that she rarely takes off.
Only when and if work requires it.
Great practice for wearin’ a wedding ring, aye?
“Who did?” Kira chimes in, her own interest flourishing. “Who asked you to read one of her books?”
“One of my newer friends, Joey.”
“Cap’s wife?” pushes past my lips without hesitation.
My girl momentarily drifts her attention back to me. “Yeah.”
“Why?”
“They were reading Indigo – okay, he’s been reading, she’s been listening, which is easier with a baby she says – and asked had I ever read it or anything by Beverly and then gushed about how much she enjoyed the writing and how he couldn’t stop praising the writing and then offhandedly asked would I be interested in reading the next novel from her with them.”