Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“And imagine the sex… I bet he is amazing,” Bex basically purred.
“I can’t imagine the sex. Can you forget how to have sex? Because I forgot what sex is it’s been so loooonnnnnggggg.” There’s a slur to Willow’s tone followed by a loud cackling.
At that, I hung up, knowing I’d heard enough.
It was good to know that Willow could be chatty. And it confirmed my instincts my job scared her.
That I could handle.
It was the other that bothered me.
Knowing she had a dickhead in her past that seemed to fuck her over.
I was ready to crash her night when Lucas sent me a message about getting her home. While I’d rather it be me driving her, I reminded myself to give it a little more time. Instead, I drove to her place and watched as Lucas got her inside. After five minutes he came out, clocked me in my truck, and gave me a chin jerk to say all was well.
She sent a final text.
I’m home, the Uber was safe.
Knowing she was fucking with me showed she was willing to play with fire.
I watched her place until long after her lights went out, thinking over every word she spoke.
“You gonna join back in the rotation or should I get you a notepad to doodle hearts?” Ford’s question pulls me back to where all three guys are staring at me with wise-ass grins.
“Only if I can borrow your gel pens and glitter,” I counter, straddling the bench.
Major begins to remove the extra weight.
“I got this.”
“Don’t be a goddamned hero.” His grin turns into a scowl.
“Let’s see what I can do.”
“You have nothing to prove.”
“Then spot me.” I stretch my arms over my head and lie down, taking a deep breath before lifting the bar.
My arms burn with the added weight, but my body pushes through, finishing the set only a little winded.
“You good?” Major hands me a water.
“Yeah.”
“Hey, Romeo, what did you do?” Ace asks, glancing between me and his hand.
Ford crowds in, his lip curving to the side. “Shit, man, this thing is blowing up.”
It’s then I realize they have my phone. “Why the hell do you have my phone?”
“Better question is, why is the doctor so fired up?” Ace tosses it my way. It buzzes continuously with incoming messages layered on the screen.
I scroll to the first and can’t stop my smile as I read. My deliveries arrived.
Willow
You sent me lunch…
And groceries…
Again…
The delivery lady probably thought I was crazy… This is too much
Check the bag for Wolf’s toy.
The phone rings in my hand, and before I can say hello, she launches in, “You sent my dog a stuffed unicorn?”
“Seemed appropriate. You have a thing for mythical creatures.”
There’s a faint squeak and shuffling on the line. “Talon, why was there a Facetime call last night?”
“You called me.”
“I did not! Or at least I didn’t mean to. What did you hear?”
“Enough.”
“That was a privileged girl talk.”
“Fortunately, I’m skilled in girl gab.”
Her breath hitches, and I realize what that must have sounded like.
“Ace and Major’s fiancées lived with us.”
“In a bachelor pad?”
“Something like that.”
“Well then, you should know the sacrosanct of girl talk.”
I almost feel bad. “I hung up when you started talking about amazing sex.”
Ford laughs out loud while Ace clears his throat.
“Oh my God, who heard that? Where are you?”
“At the gym with the guys.”
“I can’t believe you said that out loud.”
“You asked.”
“You shouldn’t have listened,” she mumbles.
“How are you feeling?” I change the subject.
“Fine.”
“Not hungover?”
“Luckily, I don’t get hungover.”
“Good to know.”
“Or at least I was fine until I learned you listened to my private conversation.”
“Add it to my observation skills.”
“You’re shameless,” she snaps.
“I’ll take any advantage I can.”
“Like bribing my dog?”
“Wolf loves me. I give him bliss.”
“The phrase was blissful exhaustion.”
“Same thing.”
“Wait, did you say you’re at the gym?”
“I am.”
“You’re not released to work out.”
“Never stopped me before.”
“You could reverse all the progress. The original injury paired with the second need—"
“Babe, I know what I’m doing.”
“You’re putting my sign-off on your release in jeopardy.”
“Not a chance.”
“Cocky!”
“Confident.”
“Can you at least pretend you’re not doing upper body?”
“Sure, I can pretend.”
“I’m hanging up before my head explodes.”
“Enjoy your lunch.” I disconnect and prepare for the examination.
“You sent the dog a stuffed unicorn?” Ford groans in disappointment. “I’d deny a date with you on principle.”
“Are you trying to date her or the dog?” Major goads. “Because it’s a damn shame if you’re wooing a canine.”
“Hardy-har-har. Fucking hilarious.”
“Listen, no shame in admitting it.”
My friends are enjoying this way too much. “I got this under control.”
“Yeah, that why you left the house in the middle of the night?”
I should have known Ford would see me coming and going. After what happened with Rowan, he’s locked into our security monitors.
A collective chuckle sounds from Ace and Major.
I can’t even disagree that he’s hit a nerve. Not long now and I won’t be leaving the house in the middle of the night to watch another man take Willow home.