Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Renting a limo for the night means I can focus on my love. She sits next to me, with her knees touching mine. I hand her a flute of champagne and touch my glass to hers.
“To us,” I say.
“To us.”
By the time we get downtown, we’ve had two glasses, and she has to grip my arm for support. “Don’t let go of me,” she begs.
“Never.”
The photographers yell my name, and Kelsey freezes. I don’t know if she’ll ever get used to this or not, but she’s promised to try, and I’ve promised to make it as easy on her as possible. If at any time she doesn’t want her photo taken at an event, we can use the rear entrance. What I can’t stop are the people on the streets. She’s taken to wearing sunglasses or a hat most of the time.
I slip my arm around her and kiss her temple softly. “Are we good?” I keep my voice low so only she can hear me. One word from her and we’ll leave. She nods.
We pose, take a couple of steps, pose again, and take a few more steps. We do this until we’re safely inside the grand ballroom of the hotel.
“This place is magical,” Kelsey says. I happen to agree. Red ribbons and white lights adorn the entirety of the room. In one corner, there’s a massive Christmas tree, and in the other, a string quartet plays holiday music.
Right off, we see Peyton and Noah, and head to them. “The turnout is more than the organizers expected,” Peyton says after we exchange pleasantries.
“Everyone comes out when it’s time to help the kids at Christmas,” Kelsey adds. “My boss paid for a table as well, and we donated a ton of books to the center.”
“When does your book come out?” Noah asks me.
I shake my head and look at Kelsey. “Jonathan is playing around with a spring or summer release. He hasn’t decided yet, but it’s much sooner than planned. Originally it was going to be a year from now.”
“A tour?” I ask. “This is the first you’re mentioning it.”
“Well, I’m not your editor. Russ is. It’s his job.”
I hate that she’s not my editor, but I get it. She wanted to push as much of me aside as she could then. Russ is a great guy, but he’s not my Kelsey, who is the only reason I ever thought about writing the book to begin with.
“Will you go on this tour with me?”
Kelsey nods. “Of course.”
“What if I want to go?” Noah asks.
“I mean, I know we’re lovers, but sometimes you have to stay home.”
Peyton snorts. “I knew it!” She fake punches Noah in the arm. Instead of dodging her, he pulls her into his arms and whispers something into her ear. Within seconds, she’s a completely different person. I have no idea what he said to her, but the way she shifts, and her demeanor changes, makes me wonder what his magic words are.
Maybe it’s the way he loves her and she him or the fact that they grew up together. They just know what each other needs and when. It’s something I’ll have to ask him at practice this coming week. I like to think Kelsey looks at me the same way, more so when I whisper into her ear. Although, the only thing I seem to whisper are naughty thoughts.
For all I know, Noah’s doing the same thing.
The four of us find our seats and are happy to see Julius and Autumn at our table. They look haggard. “Hey,” Julius says when we sit down.
“Everything okay?” Peyton asks Autumn.
She yawns and nods. “The baby’s teething and thinks in the middle of the night is the best time to let us know about it. We’re taking shifts, but he wakes Reggie and Roxy up, so we have a bed full of squirrely arms and legs.”
“I used to do that,” Kelsey says. “There’s a magic comfort that comes from sleeping with your mom. She’s the only one who can cuddle away the pain.”
“I agree,” Peyton says. “Although Oliver is at the stage where everyone and everything is his, so if I try to hug my mom or dad, he butts in. What’s funny is if my dad tries to even touch my mom, Oliver lets him know he’s not allowed to do it.”
“I met him at the game,” Kelsey says. “He’s adorable. Can I ask why there’s such an age gap though?”
“Oliver isn’t a James yet. My parents are adopting him,” Peyton tells her. “He’s been with my parents for a year.”
“Oh, I heard your sister got married,” Autumn says.
Peyton nods. “Yes, she and Ben got married in Beaumont while he was in the hospital.”
“Wait, I know Ben,” I interject. “Why was he in the hospital?”
Peyton looks at Noah, who then looks at me. “Remember when I shaved my head on Instagram live?”