Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“I know what we should do,” I decide by the time we’re in the truck. It’s an idea that’s been picking at the back of my mind since I woke up this morning. Maybe even before then. Maybe it started when I picked Easton up yesterday in front of her house. “We should bring her something. Like soup.”
He doesn’t bother busting my balls, the way I thought he might. Like he would make a joke about me wanting to see her and looking for any excuse to do it. “Good idea. We can check on her. There’s a diner along the way. They have good chicken noodle soup, don’t they?”
“Yeah. Look at us. Being a little helpful and stuff. Caring about other people.” I have to laugh, since that is pretty far away from the front of my mind. But from the outside, that’s probably how it looks. Going into the diner, ordering a large soup to go, asking for extra cracker packets and everything. She is lucky to have people like us, trying to look out for her.
It’s hard not to laugh even at myself.
“So you said she owes you a favor,” I muse once we’re on the road again, with Easton holding the soup in his lap.
“Slow down,” he mutters. “I don’t need this shit spilling all over me.”
“Then you better hold it more carefully.” I can’t help jerking the wheel to make the truck lurch, and the sound he makes while he tries to keep the container closed makes me choke back my enjoyment. I don’t need him punching me while I’m navigating traffic. “See? You’ve gotta be careful.”
“Fuck off. And yeah, she knows she owes me a favor.”
“When are you cashing in?”
“I’m not sure. You know me, though. I don’t like to wait.” I do know him, which is why I asked. Mom used to always beg him not to spend his birthday money all at once, because there was always something else he wanted and would end up begging her to buy a few days after he blew his cash on whatever sparkly thing had caught his attention. Not that I’m much more patient than he is.
Pulling up in front of the house, we exchange a look. “Remember. We’re just two nice young men visiting a friend,” I murmur, unbuckling my belt. “It’s a good thing grandmas love us.”
“She just seemed happy Emma was finally making friends,” he points out. “But it helps that it’s so easy to charm old ladies.”
“And you’ve had plenty of practice from the hospital.” I’m still snickering at the way he rolls his eyes by the time we reach the front porch. But before I have a chance to ring the doorbell, the door opens.
It’s clear from the touch of lipstick Lois wears that she’s on her way somewhere. “Hello, boys!” She greets us with a wide smile. “I didn’t think I would see you again this soon.”
“I hope you’re not disappointed,” I reply with a grin and a wink.
“You need to watch out with that smile of yours,” she warns, wagging a finger. “You are a charming devil.”
Easton holds up the bag he’s carried since we left the diner. “We figured Emma’s not feeling well, so we brought her some chicken noodle soup.”
“Your timing couldn’t be better.” She picks up a purse, then checks inside while she explains, “I’m on my way out. Big bingo tournament.”
This afternoon keeps getting better. “Be careful. I hear those bingo tournaments can be pretty cutthroat.”
She might as well give us permission to do whatever we want to do. Like a sheep opening the door a little wider so the wolf can come in and make himself comfortable.
“We’re not trying to hold you up,” I tell her as we enter the house. No, the sooner she leaves, the better.
“I do want to make sure I get my lucky seat.” She points down the hall. “Emma is the second door on the right. She should be working on something for school, but she’s been working all day. She could use the break. I have to go. The senior center bus is here to pick me up.” She points toward the window.
“We’ll take good care of her,” Easton promises. I would promise, too, but I’m a little too distracted by the way my dick won’t stop twitching in anticipation. All to ourselves—and something tells me this bingo tournament is going to last a while. It’s enough to make my imagination work overtime, which it’s doing as Lois calls out to Emma that she’s leaving.
“But at least I know you have someone to keep you company. And boys,” she adds on her way out the door, “please, make yourselves at home. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
It is too easy.
Emma will be wondering what her grandma was talking about when she said there would be someone to keep her company, and I have waited long enough to see her today. So I waste no time going to her room and tapping on the door before swinging it open.