Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
The warmth in my chest unfurls as I replay his words.
You already know I’ve found my woman, right?
We haven’t spoken about forever, but at times like this, it doesn’t feel like an impossible dream.
Not today, maybe, but in a matter of months or years…
“Don’t bother with Kayla what’s-her-face anymore,” he says, standing. “I know you think she’s your friend and you owe her for this job, but all she does is trample you.”
“She doesn’t mean to. I guess.”
“Doesn’t she?” He lets the question hang in the air. “Salem, she knows exactly what she’s doing. The more you feel like you’re not good enough, the more you rely on her to make you good enough. It’s toxic as hell.”
I want to tell him he’s wrong, but he isn’t.
Truth be told, Kayla Persephone shouldn’t scare me.
It’s all in my head, and it has been for so long, this feeling I’m just not good enough.
As Patton picks up a squealing Arlo and carries him from the room, I find my bag. I just wish I wasn’t feeling down going into the family dinner.
How will a broke single mom look like she’s remotely good enough for him?
I hold in a massive sigh.
The trouble is, I want to give Arlo and Patton everything they deserve. If I could reach up and catch the moon with my bare hands and offer it to them so they know how much I care, I’d do it in an instant.
But everything good takes time, and good things come to those who wait.
In the meantime, let’s meet the fam and knock their socks off.
20
WILD CARD (PATTON)
Apparently, despite being a member of this family for three damn decades, I had no idea just how much shit my brothers are capable of hurling at me.
Just showing up with Salem on my arm opens the floodgates.
“I never thought you’d be into the secretary type.” Archer shrugs and laughs, popping open another beer as he leans against the front step. The porch leads into the backyard, where a pristine lawn and garden meets a swimming pool in the nicer weather. Right now, it’s still covered for winter and the grass is brown.
“Yeah, man, I would’ve thought you’d give Miss Willis a chance.” Dexter grins. “She’s been hitting on you for years.”
“I’m not into secretaries. For fuck’s sake,” I growl, leaning against the aged wood and taking a deep breath. “You guys can knock it off. It just happened.”
Inside, somewhere, I hope Salem’s holding her own. Not fending off a similar assault of teasing questions from my mother, though she wouldn’t be half as bad as these piranhas.
Mom has a moral backbone and she isn’t nearly so obnoxious. That’s more than I can say for the two leering ass-vampires in front of me.
“Sex doesn’t just happen, Pat,” Dexter says. “First you gotta take off her clothes.”
“Or she does,” Archer interjects. “Let’s not assume little brother knows everything just yet.”
“His first big boy relationship. How sweet.”
“Get fucked. Both of you. With a rusty screwdriver,” I mutter.
“Yeah, and how fucked is she to be with you? What did you do to her, Pat?” Dexter asks. He hasn’t stopped beaming his smarmy grin ever since we walked through the door, arm in arm. “I always thought she was nice and levelheaded. But I guess some chicks have a few hidden buttons, if the right screwball comes around and pushes them just right—”
“Enough,” I snarl.
“Dex is right, I just can’t see it. Salem’s smart, organized, and easy on the eyes, and she’s with you?” Archer squints at me. “Did you pay her?”
“Boys!” Juniper’s nose wrinkles as she steps out on the porch. “You’re talking this much crap before dinner? Can we be civilized for one evening?”
“He deserves it,” Dexter says, receiving a smack across the head for his trouble.
Thankfully, Junie isn’t pulling any punches tonight.
I owe her.
“While I don’t doubt Patton’s been a royal pain in the ass in the past,” she says, giving me a narrow-eyed look I definitely deserve, “he’s bringing a girl around for the first time. So be nice.”
“You don’t need to whisper,” I say. “I’m right here.”
“Oh, I know. I need someone around who can enjoy a dessert that’s not eighty percent cocoa.” Smiling, Junie holds out a tray of her usual delectable cupcakes. “The two on the end are for Dex. They have about as much sweetness as he does, which is absolutely none right now. The rest are for the fam and our guests.” She holds up a finger. “If you guys can play nice.”
“Aw, Junie.” Archer grabs the fattest cupcake on the end, stuffing it into his mouth. “We always play nice. Stick around and learn.”
“Well, I’m just glad Patton found someone who likes him,” she continues.
Ouch.
I nab a cupcake, happy for the distraction. “I’m still right here, you know.”
“Yes, you are,” Junie says, leveling a finger at me. “And you listen to me, Mr. Patton. If you even consider breaking that poor girl’s heart, I will cut off your balls and put them in a cake.”