Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“But I’m not in school,” he huffed.
“You will be soon, and I don’t want you to be behind.”
“Okay,” he groaned.
“I know this isn’t ideal, but it’s the best I can do right now.”
“I know. It’s okay.” He got up and started for the door. “We better get down there, or the guys will wipe out all the good stuff.”
He was right.
Food seemed to vanish into thin air when all the guys were around, and today, they were here in droves. I wasn’t sure what was going on. I’d never seen so many there at once. There were even some I’d only seen a couple of times, and they all seemed to be gathered in the kitchen.
I was a little apprehensive about going in with so many guys around, so I leaned down to Toby and said, “Let’s make this quick. Grab a biscuit and juice, and let’s take it back to the room.”
Clearly feeling the same sense of unease, Toby nodded, and we both started into the kitchen.
Hoping not to draw any unnecessary attention to myself or Toby, I kept my head low as I made my way over to the counter and poured myself a cup of coffee. Toby grabbed a sausage biscuit from the stove and a bottle of juice from the fridge. We were about to head for the door when Skid and Grim came over to us.
I’d only been around them a couple of times, but Skid seemed sweet and docile, whereas Grim was gruffer and demanding. Skid smiled as he asked, “Hey, how are you two making it?”
“Pretty good, actually. Toby’s tutor is coming today.” I looked up at Grim as I said, “Thank Jenna again for finding her.”
“Just glad it all worked out.”
“Me too.” I looked over at the table full of brothers. “Quite a crowd today. Is something going on?”
Before he could answer, Ghost walked into the kitchen looking dapper as ever. His long, white-blond hair was still damp from his shower, and he had the top half pulled back, revealing his piercing blue eyes. He was wearing a pair of dark jeans that hung low on his hips and a black T-shirt with his cut.
He glanced around the room as he made his way over to me. Without even acknowledging Skid or Grim, he looked down at me and asked, “Did you get your breakfast?”
“I got my coffee. I’m good.” I motioned my head over to Toby as I said, “He’s got his, too.”
“Good. Why don’t you two head over to the family room, and I’ll come check on you when I wrap up things here.”
“Sounds good.” As I started for the door, I smiled at Skid and Grim. “You guys have a good one.”
“You, too.”
By the time Toby and I got to the family room, it was after eight, and his tutor was already there waiting for him. She was a beautiful girl in her mid-twenties, and she had a bright smile, which drew Toby in from the start. He didn’t even hesitate when she suggested working at one of the back tables in the family room.
He simply followed her over, and they got to work.
I sat on the sofa across the room, watching as she pulled out the books she brought. I hadn’t been sitting there long when Bridget came over and plopped down beside me. “Hey, girlie. How’s it going?”
“It’s going.”
“I see Toby’s starting his tutoring.”
“He is.” I gave her a slight shrug. “It’s not exactly what he was hoping for, but it’s a start.”
“And it seems to be a good one.” Bridget smiled as she added, “He seems pretty taken with her.”
“Yeah, and I can’t really blame him. She’s a beautiful girl.” I took a sip of my coffee before adding, “Jenna was really sweet to work this all out for us.”
“Jenna is the best, and her daughter is just precious.”
“Yes, she makes me want a daughter.”
“Me too!”
Our attention was drawn to the door when Ghost and Goose walked in with Seven and Grim. They weren’t laughing or talking like usual, and they paid no mind to either of us. It was strange. It was like we were in the room with completely different guys. I thought I was the only one who’d noticed until Bridget glanced behind her, making sure none of them were within earshot before she whispered, “Is it just me, or does something feel off today?”
“It’s not just you. Something is definitely off.”
Since day one, the guys had been nothing but friendly to me and Toby, and they were the same with each other. They were always goofing around and telling stories, but today was different. The energy in the clubhouse had shifted, and I had no idea why.
I glanced over at Ghost, and he was pacing at the back door with his jaw clenched tight. Goose and Memphis were standing at the window, watching the parking lot like hawks, and I couldn’t help but wonder why. Bridget sounded equally curious as she whispered, “They’ve been acting strange all morning.”