Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
"Right." I agree to those two things, but I don’t make any promises after that. There are a plethora of other options I can do to Nick. Already have half a dozen playing out in my mind. "Stay put," I order her before hopping out of the truck. I give Frank a chin nod as I make my way to the passenger door, opening it for my girl.
"Hi," Ellie chirps.
"You're back." Frank comes down the porch steps to wrap Ellie in a hug. He closes his eyes for a second as he holds her close. It hits me how hard it has to be for Frank to have lost the woman he loved. I've seen pictures of Ellie's mom around the house. They bear a striking resemblance.
"I'm back." She drops her head back. "To pack a bag."
"I like the sound of that better than you slipping off in the night."
"Things are changing, Dad," she tells him; there is a hitch in her voice.
"I'm always ready for whatever you have up your sleeves, sweetheart."
"Hey, Els," Nick says from the porch. He's got a fucking nickname for her? Or is he trying to piss me off? It doesn't matter because I'm already pissed.
“Hey.” Ellie smartly only gives him a wave as she steps back toward me. She might get off on my jealousy, but she’s not going to poke at it, not right now. I wrap my arm around her, tucking her into my side. I don’t miss the smirk Frank covers quickly. He gets it.
“My parents told me you were home so I wanted to swing by. It’s been too long. Been deployed for the last three years. Thought we could catch up on old times.” I swear this motherfucker has a death wish. He just doesn’t realize I’d be more than happy to grant it.
“You’ve been gone for three years? I didn’t even realize it was that long.” That smile Nick was wearing that was aimed at my girl drops from his face real quick when he realizes Ellie hadn’t noticed that he was gone. I’m gonna reward my little fox for that later.
“You do always get lost in that head of yours.” He smirks as he says it like it’s a tease, but the slight shake of his head no tells me otherwise.
“We can’t all have a brilliant mind like Ellie.”
“He thinks my aloofness is cute.” Ellie points her thumb at me.
“Aloofness can get you killed.”
“Talking out of the side of your mouth to Ellie can get you killed.”
Nick stands up straighter at my comment. I don’t think he’s been in the Marines for the past year. He’d be in better shape.
“He’s protective.” Ellie pats my chest. “Stand down.”
Frank merely watches the show, enjoying it.
“That’s what my Ro is for. If I get lost in my head, he’s quick to help guide me back and keep me safe.”
Well, shit. I want to puff out my chest at that. My girl really is getting it. I'll stand down for now.
"Like a guard dog?" Nick smirks, and I know he's trying to taunt me. I don't play little boy games. Ellie, however, tenses, her spine stiffening.
“Did you just call him a dog?” Ellie calls him right out.
“I was only teasing.” He shifts on his feet. “It’s great that you, uh, have someone watching over you.”
“He does more than watch over me.” Ellie's words drip with sticky sweetness.
“Right.” Nick runs a hand through his hair. I keep quiet, seeing as that is what is irking him right now. I didn’t take his bait, but I don’t think he knew Ellie would come for it. "So if you're around later, you—"
"Nope." Ellie pops the P. "Got plans. We're heading out."
“Maybe another time then.” I’ll give the asshole one thing, he’s persistent.
“Not gonna happen.” I scoop Ellie up into my arms and begin to carry her toward the house. I not only do it to show Nick that she’s mine but because I know she’ll get a kick out of it. She’ll probably call me barbaric or some shit like that, but deep down inside, I know she’s loving every damn second.
“You can’t just pick me up like a doll and carry me around.” Her settling into me says otherwise, but I’ll go with it.
“I can, and I just did.”
“I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye to Nick. He’s going to think I’m rude.” She knows damn well she doesn’t give two shits what Nick thinks.
I, however, am now putting Nick on my radar. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll make himself disappear. He won’t want me doing it for him.
Chapter Twenty
ELLIE
There isn’t a bunch of guilt when you actually say goodbye and not give everyone the slip. Dad was extra happy that I’d packed up like a normal person and gave him hugs goodbye. It’s strange, but I feel lighter because of it.