Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Definitely get started.”
The buzz under my skin kicks up, not just because of him, but in excitement for what we’re about to do. I lock the door behind Morgan, then lead him to the Mustang.
“We’ll disassemble first. I have everything we need, but the most important part is to make sure we separate and label everything.”
“Yes, sir!” Morgan teases, then claps his hands together, rubbing them. It makes his T-shirt pull tight against his chest.
“You excited?” I quirk a brow.
“For sure. I haven’t done stuff like this in a long time. Not since I used to do it with you.”
I can’t pretend that doesn’t make me feel warm inside. I might not be able to give him a lot, and while this kind of work was never Morgan’s love like it is mine, he enjoys it, and it’s something just the two of us share.
“I love that I can put you to work for me, yet somehow make you think it’s fun. That’s part of my evil plan.”
“Well, you’re good at it.”
“Let’s do this.”
We find a process together, starting with doors and easy parts of the body to remove. Morgan asks questions, waiting for me to instruct him, which isn’t something he does in many areas of his life, but he’s never held back from doing it with me.
“How are your parents?” he asks.
“Doing great. Still happy as ever. I swear I’ve never met two people who fit together as well as they do. I can’t pretend Mom’s not always wondering when I’ll bring a man home, though.” I don’t know why I said that, why I even brought it up, but the only thing I’ve ever held back around Morgan is how I feel about him, so everything else just sorta slips out.
“You never have? Brought a guy home?” he asks, gaze on the task in front of him.
“I’ve had boyfriends, and they even met one or two, but no one serious.” I struggle to loosen a lug nut, but it’s not budging. “How did you and Bob meet?”
“Rob.” There’s a playful challenge to his voice that says he knows I did that on purpose.
“Oh, sorry. My mistake.”
“I’m sure it was.” Morgan chuckles. “At a fundraising gala.”
“Wow…never been to one of those. Guess I’m not fancy enough.”
This time I can’t help but look at him. He rolls his eyes. “Stop being a brat.”
“Hey, man. Enough with the name-calling. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
We settle into quiet for a moment, working. When Morgan heads to the counter to label, he asks, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why haven’t you ever been serious about someone? You’re the kind of person who wants what your parents have. You’re a good guy, great personality, smoking hot.”
Well, hell. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want the answer to that question. Not really. But then again, I also think he knows, he just won’t let himself believe it, see it. Sometimes that makes life easier. “Just haven’t found the right man, I guess. You know someone?”
“Not Rhett.”
“Jesus.” I groan, dropping my head back. “Are we gonna do this every time we spend time together?”
He turns to face me. “I hope not? That’s the best I have. I didn’t plan on saying it this time. It just happened.”
I sigh. “God knows, Rhett isn’t perfect. He has his faults, but he’s not the enemy.” In some ways, Rhett feels even more broken than Morgan and Easton to me. At least they see Gregory for who he really is. Rhett is almost like a child, clinging to that image of our parents we have when we’re young and feel like they can do no wrong.
“I don’t mean to ruin this. Us. Tonight. I just can’t keep myself under control when it comes to him.”
He and Rhett definitely have that in common…
“Should we go back to talking about how you called me smoking hot?”
Morgan laughs. “For real, man. That new muscle you have on you…and your face is kinda gruff and older. The years have been good to you.”
I roll my eyes. “Glad I look good old.”
“You’re not old.” He comes back to the car. “If you’re old, I’m old.”
“The years have been all right to you, I guess. I’m not sure if I’d say smoking hot, but…not bad.”
He playfully shoves me. “Asshole.”
“Do you want me to lie to you?” I’m lying right now, of course, because Morgan is and has always been the most beautiful man in the whole fucking world to me.
“Some best friend you are.” Morgan wraps his arm around me and kisses my temple. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Being you…and never being afraid to put me in my place, even when it’s annoying as shit.”
“I aim to please.” Inhaling, I take in the scent of him and try to hold on to this moment for when he’s gone. “Now, are we gonna get to work or what?”