Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 147789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“Sorry,” Kreed said, forcing his eyes from Aaron. He rolled the window the rest of the way up so he could hear.
“You know it’s midnight,” Mitch grumbled, and no, Kreed hadn’t considered that when he’d called, but that did make it better that he’d missed the call earlier.
“No amount of beauty sleep’s gonna help, princess,” he shot back.
“Har, har, har. What do you want, Sinacola?”
“I’m returning your call.”
“That was like…five hours ago. Clearly, it’s not urgent. I’d be dead by now if I’d needed you. Just call me when you get wherever you’re going,” Mitch shot back and Kreed smiled. Mitch just never gave him any kind of break at all.
“Nah man, tell me. My guy’s driving. We’re going to dinner. It’ll be a late night. What’s going on?” Kreed asked. Aaron reached down to raise his window, helping to plunge the car into silence.
“Your guy, huh?” Mitch chuckled at him. Of course that would be what Mitch caught on to.
“Yeah, you got a problem with that?” Kreed questioned, looking over at Aaron, hoping he couldn’t hear Mitch’s words. Aaron was just coming around, opening up to the idea of them in a relationship, and he didn’t want him to close back up because of some ill-timed words, not understanding this was just the way he and Knox communicated with each other.
“I got a bigger problem with you calling so late and waking my ass up.” Mitch let out a loud yawn.
“Then get on with it; we’re almost to town. What’s going on? Catch me up.”
“Let’s see. Okay, well, the bureau’s upped security on the victims. They’re worried about copycats. It hit the news, and the fanatics are coming out in droves, so watch yourself. We’re gonna stick around Dallas for a while longer.”
“That was only a matter of time. I haven’t turned on the news, so I haven’t seen it.”
“It’s all over the place. It’s taken on a life of its own. Every station’s clamoring for information. People hate that church, but some are playing devil’s advocate. Shit’s getting touchy.”
“Hey, Kreed,” he heard Colt’s voice in the background.
“Where are you at that Colt’s in bed with you? What the hell’s going on there? Now I know why you wanted to stick around a little longer,” Kreed teased.
“Fuck you. I came downstairs when you called. I didn’t wanna wake up Cody, ass.”
“Tell him I’m sending him a text,” Colt hollered.
“Don’t,” Mitch yelled.
“Too late. I just sent it.” Colt sounded smug.
“I’m telling Jace about your bacon fetish,” Mitch threatened.
“Fetish now? You already sold me out. That ship’s sailed, Knox,” Colt said in the background.
Kreed’s phone vibrated, and he pulled the phone away from his ear long enough to open the attachment which turned out to be a selfie of Colt with Cody, both with big smiles. Colt had his arm slung around Cody and his fingers spread to give a peace sign. The most interesting thing about the whole picture was Mitch’s image captured several feet behind Colt, scowling toward the duo. Kreed chuckled, knowing exactly why Colt wanted him to see that picture.
He put the phone back to his ear quickly and could feel the giant smile on his face as he said, “Put Colt on the phone.”
“Fuck you. Call him yourself,” Mitch said and hung up on him. Kreed lowered the phone, laughing.
“What happened?” Aaron asked.
“Mitch and Colt have that love-hate thing going on. They get so possessive. You saw it while we were there. Well, Colt took a picture with Cody where they were all huddled up together. Mitch is in the background, and his pissed off, jealous face is captured in the photo. Photographic evidence that Colt won that round.” Kreed’s phone started ringing, and he glanced down to see Colt’s name come up on caller ID. He answered to Colt’s hysterical laughter.
“That’s greatness,” Kreed said.
“Yeah. I might have to blow it up and hang it in my house or save it for special occasions when I know Knox is coming over.”
“What were you doing?”
“I just took a selfie with Cody for his family. They’re big football fans. Then I saw Mitch’s face when I was scrolling through the pictures. Oh my God. It was too much,” Colt explained between laughing fits. The guy was really tickled, and it was contagious. Kreed was solidly laughing now while trying to listen and holding off a curious Aaron’s attempts to find out what was being said.
“Y’all laugh all you want. I’m going back to fuckin’ bed. I need my sleep since I’m the one keeping you safe,” Mitch called out, his voice trailing off at the end as though he were leaving the room.
“No way. Did he just take his toys and go home? And still try to use the protection card?” Kreed asked.
“Yeah, he gets his panties in a wad every time I show that picture. It might be my most prized possession now.”
“Yeah, that’s too funny. Make copies of that. Don’t lose it. I gotta roll. We just pulled into the parking lot of that bar.”
“Y’all have a good time.”
“Thanks for the laugh. That’s awesome.” Kreed opened his door.
Aaron was already out and rounding the car. He was there, wanting to know what was going on. Colt disconnected the call, and Kreed switched back to the picture, lifted the phone, and showed Aaron, because that picture was worth a thousand words. It took about as long as it took him to slam the door shut and move around Aaron before his guy burst out a laugh.
“Colt’s giving him hell, isn’t he?”
“Seems like. Deserved though. Come on. Let’s get this date started.” Kreed placed his hands on Aaron’s hips and turned him toward the door. Dinner needed to come first because Aaron’s mood definitely adjusted when there was food placed in front of him. Then they’d be dancing. If he got lucky and used his words correctly, maybe he could even talk his guy into some dark corner or bathroom sex.
~~~
“You’re sexy,” Kreed whispered in Aaron’s ear as he cupped Aaron’s ass, grinding him against his hardened arousal.