Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Sage finds me perched on a step stool, attempting to sort her pots from mine. "What are you doing hiding out in here?" she asks.
"I’m just trying to keep the packing going," I eventually say, instead of spilling my full anxiety.
"I’ll cover my half of the rent until you get another roommate," Sage unexpectedly offers, and I realize she thinks I’m still upset over her moving out. Oh no. I have a whole new worry now that Atlas Hot just walked back into my life and turned it into a hot mess. "I’m the one moving out without notice, after all." It's a generous offer, but I know she earns about the same as I do.
"That's not fair," I reply, shaking my head, hoping to reassure her. "I’ll find someone to move in."
Atlas saunters in, and his words leave me speechless. "Are you looking for a roommate?" I nod my head, already dreading what he might say next. "I could move in," he suggests. My jaw nearly hits the floor. Here I am, trying to figure out how to avoid him, and he’s offering a solution that would fix my economic problem while putting my heart in imminent danger.
The apartment falls silent, and it's like time itself pauses. Atlas stands there, hands in pockets, calm and casually handsome, as everyone turns to him like he just announced he's growing a third eye.
Ian is the first to recover. "Really? Move in with Eloise?" he asks as a smirk appears on his face.
Sage's expression switches from guilty to giddy. "Weezy, that's perfect!" she squeals, hugging Winnie tight as the dog puts on her best show of trembling in distress. The little diva doesn’t like someone else being the center of attention.
Atlas shrugs as though living with me is the easiest decision of his life. "I’ve been looking to get out of Beckett's place anyway."
“I’ll second that,” Beckett cuts in, grumbling under his breath about ungrateful asshole brothers. “It’s time you got out of my guest bedroom.”
"What do you say?" Sage looks like she’s about to self-combust.
I’m speechless, wondering when I stepped into the Twilight Zone. “Uh—” I clear my throat and stiffen my spine. “That would be great.”
"It's settled then?" Beckett asks, rapidly moving to finalize things before I can even comprehend what I'm agreeing to. His somewhat frantic tone suggests he's eager to pass his brother on to someone else.
“Hell yes.” Atlas doesn’t hesitate. "Beans keeps eating my shoes," he finally says, rolling his eyes. “And Pork farts so much, I need a goddamn gas mask.” His shoulders shake with laughter, a deep, contagious sound that fills the room the same way he does.
Beckett frowns. "You left them next to his toy box. And for the record, Pork has a delicate system."
“Delicate my ass.” While Atlas and Beckett debate the wiener dog’s digestive system, I lean back against the counter, wondering where things went so crazy.
Beckett’s excitement blasts through the room when I offer to move in with Eloise. Sage and Ian exchange a look. Ian’s holding back a smirk like I’ve taken on more than I can handle. But he doesn't know shit. What none of them know is this isn't just a bid to escape Beckett's but maybe something more.
Eloise gently tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a small gesture that seems to illuminate her heart-shaped face.
I recall how I relentlessly teased Ian when he fell madly in love with Sage at their very first meeting.
Now, it seems the universe has decided to teach me a lesson.
The moment I saw Eloise, unfamiliar feelings hit me like a tidal wave. My heart skipped a beat, my cock turned to stone, and a flurry of emotions rushed through me, leaving my mind and body jumbled messes.
I can barely focus on the conversation as her bright smile and sparkling eyes take center stage in my thoughts, each detail of her appearance unraveling my composure and sending my mind into a whirlwind.
Ian stands between Beckett and Dawson with his arms folded, clearly evaluating if I've lost my mind. To hell with them.
"It makes sense," I begin once more, speaking faster with each word. "I'll cover Sage's portion of the rent while I'm here.” Then I list all the reasons I'd make a great roommate. “A woman shouldn’t be living alone in this area.” That's a bit of a stretch. This is one of the safest towns in the entire state. "Plus, I'm handy with tools and a whiz in the kitchen."
I try to play it cool, but I know my brothers can see right through me. My neck is heating up like I'm in a goddamn inferno. Eloise stares at me with shock in her eyes, and my heart pounds as I fear she’s going to refuse my suggestion.
Eloise isn't saying a word, just looking at me like she's trying to decide if I'm joking or maybe a little insane.