Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“I know you’re delusional or drunk—maybe both.”
“Drunk on you, Mary-May-I.”
“God, can you stop the cheesy one-liners. What is Mary-May-I, seriously?”
“Isn’t that some kind of kid’s game shit?” I ask, my brow crinkling up in frustration. I need to figure out how to make her sweet again. I saw it at her mom’s. Now I just have to figure out how to keep her that way. I’ve never had to work to get a woman. This is a new experience for me, but I think I’m going to enjoy it.
“That’s Mother-May-I, doofus,” she grumbles.
“Well, hell, I don’t know. I didn’t play games as a kid.”
I fluff my pillow, recline back with my arm behind my pillow, and settle in. It was a rough day at practice. Coach is riding my ass harder than a sailor with a two-dollar hooker, that’s been out to sea for five years straight without leave. In hindsight, it was probably a bad move kissing Marigold in front of all her family. Although, if I think about it, my biggest mistake was probably grinding her against my cock.
I personally happen to think that was worth it.
“You didn’t play any games?”
“Nah, no time. Too busy trying to keep out of the reach of my mother’s latest boyfriend.”
“That doesn’t sound like fun. Why did you have to stay out of reach?” she asks, her voice soft.
I should change the subject. I don’t talk about my personal life with others. Most wouldn’t understand and to be frank, I rather not talk about that shit. I’ve spent a lifetime putting it behind me and I don’t like to revisit it.
“Most didn’t appreciate having kids around when they were trying to get their dick wet. They weren’t shy about teaching me the hard way to stay away either.”
“Didn’t your mom to tell them to get the hell out?”
“Mom wasn’t wired that way, honey,” I murmur, taking in how upset she sounds. That shouldn’t make me happy, but hell if it doesn’t. She’s not trying to pity my ass. She’s outraged and that feels fucking good.
“She’s a bitch, then.”
“Figured that out a while back, baby.”
“I’m sorry you had that, Slater,” she whispers.
“Have I mentioned I hate my name?”
She laughs and I smile because it’s a beautiful sound.
“I think I’ve picked up on that. My mom seems to love it… A.C.”
“Babe, your mom is crazy. You know that, right?”
“I guess you figured out the real reason she’s calling you A.C.,” I laugh.
“I knew that from the beginning,” I mutter. “I hate that damn show.”
That makes her giggle—which is fucking cute. “I never watched it.”
“Me either, but that’s all I’ve heard for as long as I can remember.”
“I can sympathize. Growing up all I heard was, Mary, Mary, quite contrary how does your garden grow?”
“Give me the names of every asshole that asked you that I’ll visit them. No one should know how your garden grows but me.”
There’s a moment of silence and then she all but cackles. “Oh my God, you nut.”
“I’m serious, baby.”
“You mean you’re a lunatic,” she argues.
“Nope. I’m a possessive motherfucker.”
“You have nothing here to be possessive of, Bat-Boy.”
“Babe.”
“I’m serious. We barely know each other.”
“You didn’t kiss me like you barely knew me, Marigold.”
“I don’t want a boyfriend, Slater,” she finally says, sounding defeated.
“That’s good because I’m not a boy.”
“You don’t give up, do you?”
“Not when what I want is worthwhile. If I gave up, I’d still be struggling to get by, not pushing myself to get scholarships and build a life I could be proud of.”
“Okay, Bat-Boy, how do you know I’m worthwhile? Let’s face it, you barely know me.”
“It’s a gut feeling and baby, that feeling has never let me down,” I counter. “You, Marigold Lucas, are important,” I admit. What I don’t tell her is that she feels like the missing piece in my life. Like she’s exactly where I belong.
“You have an answer for everything, don’t you?” she responds with a sigh.
“I try.”
“Okay, how about the fact that I don’t want a relationship. I’m not looking for one. I’ve got shit I want to do.”
“How will a relationship stop that?” I ask because I’m genuinely curious, and honestly if she’s willing to talk about it, I want to hear it. That doesn’t mean just about this. I could listen to Marigold talk all day and be happy. If that’s not a sign that this girl is special, then nothing is.
“No man wants to have a relationship with a woman who is traveling constantly and always on the go. Especially if that woman is working constantly and doesn’t have time to invest in a relationship.”
“I travel constantly and work constantly,” I point out.
“And you aren’t in a relationship either. You’re like Old McDonald on a Navy cruise.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I laugh because she’s being funny, though I’m almost positive she’s not trying.