Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 110278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
“Ready to go see the gang?” Slade asks.
“Yeah, maybe I’ll get to see Travis while we’re up there. I hate that he only gets to be here for a day,” I say with hopefulness.
“He’ll be back home before you know it.” He guides me out of the room toward the elevator that will lead us to Leo’s floor. When the elevator door opens, Travis steps out. He sees the hold Slade has on my waist and his eyes narrow.
“Well, this isn’t awkward at all,” I blow out. “If you two are going to fight, go somewhere else. I’ve had enough violence for one day.” I disentangle from Slade, letting them both know I won’t stand for it.
“Taylor,” Travis grunts out.
I roll my eyes. “I don’t want to hear it. If you hurt him, I’ll never forgive you. Slade, I love you. Please remember you two were friends at one point in time. Travis, you’re my brother, but I’m a woman, not a child that you need to shield everything from anymore.” With that final statement, I punch the elevator button and the doors close, leaving them standing there with their mouths hanging wide open.
NINETEEN
SLADE
“Did that just fucking happen?” I ask out loud, not to Travis in particular, for my ears mainly. We start walking to the exit so as not to cause a scene inside the hospital.
“Yep, I should kick your ass. Hell, I still may. You could have at least told me what was going on before I got home and had to see that shit for myself or hear about it from that dipshit, Bridger.” Travis is pissed. If I’m being honest, he has every right to be.
“You’re right. As much as it pains me to say it, we should have.” I push open the exit door and we step out into a small parking lot. “What Taylor and I both wanted was for you to stay focused while you were over there and not to worry about anything stateside. Believe me, as soon as you were home and safe, we were going to tell you,” I tell him. My stance is relaxed, but I’m not an idiot. I know what’s coming.
“That’s mighty high and mighty of y’all, thinking I can’t handle shit while I’m in the thick of things.” His hands are clenched.
“I’m giving you one chance to hit me, because, if I had a sister, I’d be in your same situation and do the same thing. But any more than that, I’m hitting back.” We took our conversation outside of the hospital and around the corner. Both of us knowing what the other expects. If the situation were reversed, my actions would mirror his.
No sooner than I say that, Bridger comes around the corner. “Oh, goodie. I’m here before the fun begins.”
“Shut up,” Travis and I say at the same time, neither of us wanting to hear his shit.
“What makes you think you’re good enough for my sister?” Travis barks out.
“I don’t think I am, but I’ll tell you one thing. I’ll make damn sure I give her everything I have to give and then some,” I reply.
We’re at a standstill, not saying a word, just two stubborn men. One Seal brother to another, each with good and bad qualities.
Travis’s gaze goes to Bridger. “Hey, I’m just here to watch. I’m sure Taylor would love to know you two are acting like heathens.” He shakes his head.
“Don’t start. I have plenty of dirt on you wanting a certain blonde-haired woman in our office,” I grunt.
“What the fuck ever. Get this over with so I can take you two idiots back to Taylor and take that certain blonde-haired woman home.” Bridger makes his way off, looking at home beside the brick building, leaning on it like he’s waiting for entry into a movie.
I brace myself, knowing what’s coming. “One hit, Travis.” I wait for him to get his one lick, but when he hits me in the jaw it’s harder than I anticipated. The knee to my stomach, though? That was a pussy ass move and has me hitting him in the jaw back.
Travis goes to knee me in the stomach again, but I’ve already grabbed him by the collar. I get a lick of my own in against his jaw before Bridger barks, “Enough! Travis, go take a walk.” The normally easygoing, calm one is pissed off; that’s something I don’t see all that often.
I hold my tongue, not saying a damn thing. Bridger is right, but I have one more thing to say before he takes a walk to calm the hell down. “I’m asking Taylor to marry me soon. I hope we’ll have your blessing, but I’m telling you now, even if we don’t, I’m still making her mine.”
Travis turns around, glares at me, shakes his head, and then leaves. I can’t read the look on his face. He doesn’t look upset; it’s a look of he’s not going back upstairs, but instead is walking down the street.