Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Five minutes?”
“That’s being generous. That’s how worked up I am right now.”
“Thank you.” I smile up at him. I can only imagine the dopey look on my face.
“We’ve talked about this. Don’t thank me for something that we both enjoy.”
We hear voices, and with a shared look, we take off running to the front of the house. I rush up the steps to the porch swing. He leans over, kisses me one more time, and disappears into the house.
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
Brooks
I’ve always looked forward to this annual trip with my dad and my brothers. It’s been a tradition for as long as I can remember. It’s always a good time, but this year it's hitting a little differently. It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with my family. I do. However, now I also want to spend time with her.
I had to work all last weekend, and my only time with her was our quick rendezvous on the side of Orrin’s house. That’s not enough. She was busy all week, and we only managed dinner in Harris at the food trucks. She insisted she had to go home and get caught up on edits, and I didn’t argue. I know that’s her job, but dammit, I miss her.
I look around the campfire at my brothers, and I realize it’s not just me who’s focusing on his phone, on his girl. Orrin is smiling down at his phone. I’m sure texting Jade. Declan is talking to his daughter, which is the only woman currently in his life, saying goodnight, and then there’s Deacon. He’s a new addition to this year’s trip. Dad insisted that since he was marrying Ramsey, he was one of us now, and guess what? He’s on his phone too.
I’m man enough to admit I’m jealous of them. They’re openly talking to their women, telling them goodnight and that they love them, and I’m gripping my phone like it’s my lifeline, but I can’t call her. Not while Deacon is talking to Ramsey and Blakely is talking to Declan.
I can’t call her out in the open where my brothers, her brother, and my dad can hear me. We’re supposed to be a secret. I hate that we are, but I respect her wishes. However, with each passing day, it’s harder and harder not to shout to the world how incredible she is.
Last weekend we could have gotten caught at Orrin’s, and although I should have cared, I didn’t. I didn’t want anyone to see her, but for the rest of it, I couldn’t care less. My need for her is too strong to care.
“Oh, and guess what?” Blakely asks, her voice loud through the phone, and I smile. I love my niece. “Palmer’s taking my picture. Rams and Piper are doing my hair and Jade’s doing my makeup. It’s so fun, Daddy!” she exclaims.
I knew Blakely was calling from Palmer’s phone. Declan didn’t recognize the number, but Blakely told him that since Rams was flirting with Deacon, Palmer said she could use hers. We all got a laugh out of that, even Deacon.
I stand and pretend to be grabbing a drink out of the cooler that’s behind Declan and chance a peek at his phone. I try not to let my disappointment show when I don’t see anyone but my niece smiling back at me.
“Oh! Uncle Brooks. Hi.” Blakely gets closer to the phone and waves. She’s so close, all I can see is her nose. I shake my head. “Did you hear that Palmer is taking my picture?”
“I heard, sweetheart,” I tell her.
“We all heard you, Blake,” Maverick calls out.
“It’s so fun!” she says again, making us all laugh.
I stare at my niece over my brother’s shoulder. I’m ready to turn and go back to my seat when my girl appears on the screen. My. Girl. My eyes take her in like a man who’s been stranded in the desert for hours and was just handed a bottle of water. She hands my niece a juice box and smiles at her like she’s her own flesh and blood.
“What do you say, squirt?” Declan asks his daughter.
“Thank you, Palmer.”
“You’re welcome.” Palmer’s eyes finally look into the phone, and they land on me. They soften, and she waves. “Hey,” she says softly.
Declan turns to look at me over his shoulder, but I ignore him and focus on her. “You ladies having a good time?” I ask. I keep my tone even as if we were discussing the weather.
“So much fun,” Blakely answers for her.
“There you go.” Palmer grins. “Girls’ weekends are the best, huh, Blake?” she asks, wrapping her arms around my niece and hugging her. Blakely giggles and I can’t help but smile.
“Blake!” I hear someone call. “It’s hair time!” Piper appears in the background holding up a can of hairspray. “Hey, guys, I need to steal the star of the shoot,” Piper tells us.