Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 123877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123877 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Julian’s freshly glowing face turned to Beckett as he finished with one shoe. “I can’t believe I slept the whole way. I don’t normally sleep like that.”
“You needed it,” Beckett answered, lifting the gearshift into park. “You’ll probably do a lot of that over the next few days. It’s supposed to be part of your recovery. Or something like that.”
“You learn that on the University of Google?” Julian teased, chiding him with a cute quirk to the corner of his mouth. “You’re too good to me.”
“Ha Ha. I wanted to know how best to support you. Stop making fun of me.” Smiling broadly, Beckett pushed open his truck door and stepped out, glad to be on stable ground again. Long drives always made him appreciate being outside any chance he got. Julian bent over in the seat, working the crease in his fitted slacks.
“I haven’t met anyone’s parents before. Do I look okay?” he asked, still bent over but cocking his head in Beckett’s direction. The stalling tactic made Beckett smile. Julian was so damned endearing with his rare displays of insecurity.
The front porch door swung shut with a clap. Marly came out to stand beside Randy. His mother had started down the steps. Beckett placed a hand on the top of the truck and an arm over the edge of the door. He leaned in, talking quietly so no one else could hear. “You always look gorgeous. I don’t think you could look anything other than amazing. Now, come on. They’re coming toward us.”
He shut the door, not giving Julian a chance to put this off any further, and started around the hood. If he could get to Julian’s door first, then maybe he could offer some emotional support for his nervous guy.
His parents had other plans. They had hotfooted it to his truck. Beckett had been deemed chopped liver for how they cut him off without more than a glance, getting to Julian’s door first. His father pulled it open wide, putting Julian in the spotlight and on full display.
Julian may have been the main attraction, but like normal, Woofer bounded around the house, drawing everyone’s attention toward the rambunctious, speedy dog as he happily darted for Beckett’s truck. At least someone wanted to see him.
Julian placed one foot on the ground then the other, sliding from the seat. As he stood, Beckett saw the exact moment Woofer realized Julian was there.
The dog came to an abrupt skidding halt then altered his course, speeding straight for Julian. Beckett pointed to the dog. Like the parting of the Red Sea, his parents and Randy and his girlfriend stepped apart, giving Woofer a straight line to Julian. Seconds before Woofer made contact, he launched himself off his back paws, his front paws aimed straight at Julian. Julian caught the large dog’s weight with an oomph and stumbled back into the open truck door. Woofer wasn’t put off in the least, whining excitedly and licking straight across Julian’s lips.
It might have been the sweetest reunion ever. Woofer danced at Julian’s feet. His tail tucked between his legs, mewling and whimpering in his excitement. His non-dog-loving guy instantly bent down, forgetting everyone else, giving Woofer all the love he’d missed.
“He’s found his owner,” his father said proudly as Julian gave the wiggling dog a good, thorough rub down.
“He’s so happy to see you,” his mother added, her beaming smile lighting her face. She stepped around his father to give Beckett a hug. “How was your drive? I’m glad you got here before dark.”
“It was good,” he said, wrapping an arm around his mom as he made the introduction he’d wanted to make for so long now. “I think Julian’s gonna stay the week if I have anything to say about it. Mom, Dad, this is Julian. Julian, this is my mother and father. Call them Mom and Dad, everyone does.”
Julian tried to wrangle an excited Woofer and pay proper attention to his parents, but he had to finally stand up and ignore the overly happy dog to shake his father’s hand.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Julian said as Woofer refused to be ignored and leaped between them to keep the attention focused on him.
“Place, Woofer,” Beckett said firmly, and for a few seconds, the dog did follow the command, dropping to his seat. His tail whipping back and forth. Beckett had no idea Woofer had missed Julian so badly.
“I’ve never seen him like this,” Randy said, standing at a distance.
“Like I’ve always said, he’s the worst emotional support animal ever,” Julian teased as his mother came forward, bypassing Julian’s outstretched hand to give him a tight motherly hug.
Just as quickly as she bent forward for the hug, she reared back, her palms going to Julian’s cheeks. Beckett could only grin at Julian’s confusion as his own nervous energy pumped through him. He loved his mom unconditionally, but she regularly startled people with her simple way of reading them.