Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Brooks.” Palmer sighs. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be in town, close to you and the hospital if something happens.”
“Son,” Dad speaks up. “I’ll stay with her. We’re all going. Your mom and me, your brothers, and your sisters.” Dad never adds the in-law to sisters. Our wives are family. End of story. “I won’t let her out of my sight.”
Palmer smiles at my dad, and he winks. “I promise I feel great. No contractions, and it’s better than sitting home alone in case something happens when all our friends and family will be at Willow Park.”
“Dad?” Brooks asks. There’s resignation in his voice and also a hint of warning. Not that he needs to warn our father. Maybe someone needs to remind Brooks that there are nine of us boys and Blakely. This isn’t my parents’ first rodeo when it comes to babies coming into the world.
“I’ll be with her until you get there.”
“I hate that I have to work late,” Brooks grumbles. “I’m trying to pick up shifts because I know I’m going to need the time off when the baby comes.”
“I know, big guy,” Palmer tells him. “I’ll be sure to save you a seat right next to mine.”
“Don’t let her carry chairs, and she shouldn’t be sitting on the ground,” Brooks says to whoever will listen.
“Brooks.” Mom says his name with that same gentle touch she’s always used with us growing up. “Relax. Palmer and your baby girl will be just fine. Finish your shift, save lives, and then come and join your family. Palmer won’t lift a finger except to eat that funnel cake she’s been talking about.”
Brooks laughs. “Wait until I get there, beautiful. I’ll make sure you get your funnel cake.”
I know there was something about them doing food truck dates in Harris when they were dating, so I assume funnel cakes were their thing.
“I promise.” Palmer wipes beneath her eyes. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Palmer taps the screen on her phone and places it on the table in front of her. “Thanks for the assist,” she tells my parents.
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
“What time are we leaving?” I ask.
“The first movie starts at seven.”
“How many are there?” I ask my mom.
“Three. The first is kid friendly. We figured, once Brooks gets there, we’ll bring Blakely home with us, so Declan and Kennedy can stay later.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Kennedy tells my mom.
Mom waves her off. “We’re too old to stay up that late.” She laughs. “We’re happy to do it. Soon you’ll have two to run after, and trust me, you’ll need these kinds of breaks.”
Kennedy places her hand over her baby bump, and she, too, has tears in her eyes. “I love you both. All of you.” Her gaze scans the room.
Palmer, Jade, Kennedy, Maverick, Merrick, Archer, and I are all here. The others have confirmed via text that they’re in. Orrin and Declan are both at work like Brooks. When you run your own business, there’s no such thing as nine-to-five hours.
“I still can’t believe you let Rush take Blake,” I grumble playfully. “Now I’m going to have to work harder to be her favorite uncle today,” I tease.
“That’s between you and my daughter,” she jokes.
“Is Alyssa coming with us tonight?” Palmer asks.
“I’m not sure. I need to call her and see. I assume so.”
“Oh, I hope she does,” Mom says.
“Me too.” Kennedy smiles, and I know she’s remembering our conversation from a few weeks ago.
Surprisingly my family has left me alone about pursuing my best friend romantically. Not that it matters. They planted the seed, and it’s all that I can think about. Not just when I’m with her, but all day long I weigh the risks and the rewards in my mind. I’ve stepped up my flirting. I touch her every fucking chance I get. And her reactions, her body’s reaction to me, tells me that she wants me. At least, I think that’s what they're telling me. Hell, maybe I’m making it all up in my head. At this point, I don’t really know.
What I do know is that I’m in love with her. I know that she’s all I think about, and there are so many pros and only one con. Losing her. Lifting my hand, I rub my chest at the ache that presents itself, just thinking of losing Alyssa.
“You better call her,” Mom says.
“On it.” I stand and walk out of the room. I hear everyone whispering about how I had to leave to make the call. I know the assumptions they’re making, and they’re not wrong. I’m not above laying on the charm to convince her to come with us. Not that I think she’s going to say no, but I want her there with me. With my family. So, yeah, I’ll charm her if I have to. Bribe her? Whatever it takes.