Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 106065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Except, Swedish and Danish were two different languages.
He sucked his teeth and leaned forward to rest his cigar in the ashtray. “All I heard was that you need a beating.”
“A Sadist with selective hearing—I’m shocked!”
Not that I would say no to a beating…
“I see you two are enjoying yourselves.”
Sloan!
I looked over toward the door and spotted Sloan coming out with a tray filled with condiments and glasses and drinks.
“Hi!” I scrambled off Greer’s lap and returned to my seat, which happened to be next to Sloan’s, and that was where I wanted to sit.
“I particularly enjoyed the part where Corey said he wants to redecorate his place,” Greer mentioned, to which I eyed him strangely. What was so enjoyable about that? “I’ll take that as confirmation of his not movin’ to fuckin’ Denver.”
Oh.
Crap.
Wake-up call. I clearly lived in a fantasy out here.
It was best to push past it. I wasn’t ready to face reality yet. “You’re gonna sit here next to me, right?” I glanced up at Sloan.
He must’ve liked what I said because the look in his eyes grew warmer, like it had earlier before we napped together. He liked me, and I liked him—I was sure of it. We had a spark!
Unless it was wishful thinking. I hoped not.
Oh! I stiffened and grabbed the armrests when I suddenly heard music. My gaze flew skyward of its own volition, and I spotted a soundbar a few feet away from the heater.
A country beat later, Archie walked out like some professional server, carrying four food baskets.
“Howdy, darlins. Time for some good ole homemade takeout.”
I grinned and bobbed my head to the rocky tune, kinda wishing I had a cowboy hat. Heck, this was a dancing song! I couldn’t sit still. I dug it hard. A song about tailgates, beer, keys to the country, and starry skies was just what I needed now.
Wait. I also needed this homemade takeout. “Holy cow!” So much cheesy goodness between two burger patties—and were those burger buns homemade?
“Jesus fuck, baby.” Greer was impressed too. “Ahh, this is gonna be good.”
So fucking good. And the fries, they had to be double-fried or something. Crispy and hot and salty.
“I think a toast to the boys is in order.” Sloan lifted his beer bottle at the same time as he placed a Coke can in front of me and popped it open. “To Archer, for everything you do, all your effort—I fall harder for you for every day that goes by. And to this little one right here—” He leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “You’re bringing my old Daddy heart back to life with every smile.”
“Hear, hear.” Greer tipped his bottle in agreement. “Couldn’t say it better myself.”
I managed a wobbly smile, unable to form a single syllable. Sloan’s words packed a punch, both in a wonderful and a painful way. Because he made me feel valued and special, and then… I mean, the love those three shared together. It made me feel sad. Happy for them, genuinely happy; nobody deserved the best more than Greer did, and I was sure Sloan and Archie did too. But that kind of connection was what I was supposed to share with Marcus.
We didn’t come fucking close. We never had.
“Thank you for your generous gift today too, Corey,” Archie added. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that you picked many items that children tend to love. I’m so glad you’re here with us.”
Okay, they had to stop. “It was nothing. Just wanted to show my gratitude.” I stuck a couple fries into my mouth. “I think we should change the topic to music and clubbing and kink and having fun, ’cause that’s what I want in my life now.”
“Clubbing,” Greer stated.
I shook my butt in my seat. “Yeah, you know. Shaking what your mama gave you. You have a sexy ass, Sir. Give the people what they want!”
Archie snickered and bit into his burger.
“Yeah, Greer.” Sloan agreed with me. “Give the people what they want.”
Greer snorted and picked up his burger. “Thank you for the compliment—my sexy ass appreciates it—but I leave the clubbing to you youngsters.” He paused with his burger in midair. “Not that I would mind seeing some of you youngsters shaking what your mamas gave you.” He shifted his gaze to Archie. “If you and Corey wanna hit up a club, I can be the perv in the corner just watching.”
Archie seemed to consider it, and he even sent me a playfully flirty look. “Tempting.”
I smirked. “Just say the word, gorgeous.”
“Oh-ho. Check out the flirt.” Greer grinned around a mouthful of food.
“I can’t remember the last time I went to a club and actually danced,” Archie chuckled. “It was before Kyla was born, that’s for sure.”
“Can’t fucking wait to see her tomorrow.” And so Greer changed the subject to babies. “But before then, we have work to do.” And then he changed it again, apparently. “Sixty members have checked the attendance box for the munch tomorrow, and we have a surprise in store. We figured we need some fun after yesterday.”