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)
“Entertaining this crowd comes with a price.”
“I’ll pitch in.”
“Not necessary, it’s covered.”
I’ve been around Hotch enough to know his scowl speaks for itself. This conversation isn’t over, but he’s done sparring in front of the group. He’ll find a way to contribute and there will be no argument.
“Another weekend of celebrations.” Gill, Jewls’ dad, joins us carrying Levi.
The other dads crowd in as well.
“I’m glad it’s a fucking celebration. Beats the alternative.”
My dad has the same mix of anger and concern he wore the weeks he was here after the abduction. “Although, I have a feeling we will be back soon enough for another wedding shower.”
I tip my chin in acknowledgement. “Let me get her through the licensing exam.”
“You’re shitting me. Again? Does this mean Drake and I need to get money ready?” Sam blows out a breath.
Drake and Sam may be pains in the ass, but they’re great fucking financial advisors. Ford, Ace, Major, and I chose to invest with them years ago, and they’ve made us a lot of money.
“If my son keeps dropping thirteen-hundred dollars on shoes, I’d say he’ll need funds.”
“You shitting me? Didn’t take you for a footwear fashionista.”
“Your mom honed in on them pretty damn quick. Hard to miss.”
“You dropped that kinda cash on a pair of shoes? I thought my brother was the only idiot in this group.” Sam steps out of reach right before Major can slap him.
If Sam knew the appreciation Willow showed Friday night, he’d know I’m not an idiot. He’d also understand why I’ll gladly spend that fucking money over and over. Instead, I answer his original question.
“We’ll talk soon about loosening up some money.”
“Fucking crazy.” The twins share a smirk.
“Willow know your plan?” Dad asks with a wide grin.
“Not yet.”
“You waiting until after the licensing exam on that, too?”
“Hell no. Not waiting until mid-June. These last two weeks have been shit for her and the timing wasn’t right.”
“Your mom and I agree she’s a smart girl. Better not wait too long.”
His implication doesn’t go unnoticed with the group. “She’s not going anywhere.”
“Something Dad and I should know?” Chase asks expectantly.
Common sense tells me I should talk to Willow first. But it won’t hurt to share my plans with her Dad and Chase. They may be the best allies when she flips out.
“I’m building a house.”
Chase’s eyes widen. “When?”
“I have a lot ready to go.
“You bought a lot to build a house and didn’t tell my sister? That’s highly presuming.”
I grin at his response. “Bought the lot when we moved here. It’s in this neighborhood.”
He scans Ace, Major, and Ford, giving a quick nod. “That makes sense. Not surprised you all bought together. But what about Willow?”
“Technically, the choice is hers. She wants something else, we’ll go a different direction.”
“Any reason you’re moving at the speed of light.”
“Not sure you’re one to lecture me on timing.”
He glowers. “My situation is different.”
“Touché. How about if I said I’d waited long enough?”
“Dad, you know about this?”
All attention goes to Sterling, who has been unusually quiet through the exchange. “Figured it was coming.”
“Didn’t hide my intentions,” I counter.
“No, but when my gorgeous, highly-intelligent, ambitious, and driven daughter hooks up with an inked-up muscle-head who’s way too cocky for his own good, I looked into you.” His description earns a laugh from the group. Even my dad seems amused.
“I could have saved you the time and money.”
He shrugs indifferently. “I fucked up once when it came to Willow, wasn’t willing to chance anything.”
“She’s taken care of.”
“Yeah, figured that out the night in the hospital.”
A loud shriek followed by a cry has all heads spinning to the patio deck.
“Here we go.” Without a beat, Ace is on the move.
Ford, Major, and I follow with less urgency. The girls warned us this may happen. Apparently, Jewls discovered Harley had been eyeing some kind of baby sleeper that is all the rage with new moms. Jay denied her interest because of the astronomical cost.
I offered to buy it outright, Ford and Major doing the same.
Tom beat us to it.
Shayla dug into her contacts and found one at wholesale price. She mentioned it at the bar one night, and he handed her his credit card and told her to ‘fucking buy that baby the damn sleeper.’
When we get to the party of women, Jay is leaned over an empty bassinet, running her fingers along the edge while crying. Her mom, Amanda, scoots her chair, giving Ace room to lift Harley into his arms. She sobs, mumbling about Tom being a big teddy bear.
He rolls his eyes but doesn’t say a word.
I tuck Willow to my side. “Isn’t that sweet?”
“Jay bawling her eyes out over a baby bed?”
She tilts her face to mine. “It’s the sentiment. It’s a Baby Snoo, not a bed.”
“Whatever.”
“With all your friends having babies, you should try to understand these things.”