Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Boyd’s eyes bore into me, his mind rolling. “Simms, I may not have the details, but I do know you don’t always have to be the damn hero.”
“Hero is my middle name.”
He hangs his head, rubbing the back of his neck for a few seconds before focusing back to me. “The time comes you’re needed, be careful.”
“Always.”
I slap him on the shoulder and head back to the bullpen.
I’m ready to get to my woman.
Tomorrow, we’ll deal with the rest.
30
WILLOW
I wait with bated breath as the hourglass twirls. Seconds seem like a lifetime. There’s a reset and the screen transitions into the dashboard.
My eyes squeeze shut. “I can’t.” Panic sets in.
“You look like Wyatt when he’s about to burst.” Bex is too calm.
I peer at the phone screen through a hooded lid. Facetime is blurry, but I can make out the glass of wine in her hand.
“Are you drinking?”
“This is stressful.”
“Ditto.” Lucas toasts his beer bottle in the split screen.
“What is wrong with you two? This is important.”
“We already know the results, Wills.”
Our professors and Abe recommended a series of exams.
Lucas and Bex took theirs earlier today and have been patiently waiting for me to share the results.
I take a deep breath and peek at the computer screen.
Passed.
My arms pump in the air, feet kicking out from the chair. “Yes!”
They cheer me on, both turning their phones to show their same results.
“I’m taking the rest of this weekend off.”
“You deserve it, Bex. And you, too, Lucas.”
“Plan on it, Wills. I have a date tonight.”
“With who? Your hand?” Bex cracks up at her joke.
“Not tonight, Becky. Rina prefers my mouth to my hand.”
My jaw drops before I cringe. “Too much information!”
“What? All those times you tormented me with girl talk and I can’t tell you about how this woman can ride my co—”
“Lucas, do not finish that sentence.”
“Hate to break it to you, but I know your men aren’t virgins.”
Bex barks out a laugh, taking a healthy sip of her wine. “I am not allowed to discuss sex with ‘Lo.”
“That’s because it’s gross!”
“It’s not gross, it’s amazing. Every single time.”
My stomach turns. “I hate you sometimes.”
“Rina’s the hottie from Tom’s, right?” she asks Lucas.
“Yeah.”
“Who knows, this may actually go somewhere.”
“Not sure if Rina is long-term material, but it’s fun for now.”
“That is such a guy thing to say.”
“Some women actually like casual sex, especially with me,” he declares with a wink.
“Getting off the phone now,” I announce.
“Pretty soon, you’ll be getting off on something else.”
“Stop!”
“It’s fun to fuck with you.”
“Bye.”
“See you tomorrow at Wyatt’s game,” Bex shouts before cutting the call.
I practically skip down the hall, taking off in a sprint when I spot Talon’s profile at the mouth of the kitchen. Wolf barks to announce my arrival and Talon braces as I launch myself at him.
“Passed!”
He heaves me up, wrapping my legs around his waist, and kisses me hard and fast. I’m slightly disappointed when he pulls away then realize we’re not alone.
One glance at the men around the kitchen and it’s obvious I’ve interrupted something important.
“Is everything okay?”
“All good,” Ford clips.
All of their expressions are troubled. I clamber down from Talon and face Ford, Major, and Ace.
“Harley doing okay?” I knew these first few weeks were hard adjusting. The times I’ve visited, she was handling things like a pro, but that doesn’t mean she’s not feeling pressure.
“Harley and Maverick are great.”
“Jewls and the boys?”
Major nods.
“Rowan’s not overwhelmed, is she?”
Ford shakes his head.
“The parents? Brothers? Sisters?”
“Everyone is good, Princess,” Talon soothes.
“Then what’s going on?”
“Nothing to worry about. Let’s go out to dinner.”
“I want to cook, play with my dog, take a long bath… normal things that don’t include my nose in a book or glued to a screen.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
My instincts are screaming at me. “Talon Simms, what is wrong?”
He opens his mouth, but Ford beats him to it. “Max can’t make the wedding.”
My heart sinks; this is not what I was expecting.
“Why?”
“He’s got a project that has him tied up.”
“Rowan will be crushed. The wedding is next week.”
“She knew this was a possibility, but yeah, she’ll be crushed.”
“Hollywood will understand.” Talon runs his hand along my back.
“No bride needs this kind of stress. What can I do to help soften the blow?”
Ford gives me a grateful smile. “I’ll handle it.”
“Princess, we’re going for a run. Take your bath. You don’t feel like cooking, I’ll grill. Whatever you want. When we get back, we’ll celebrate your pre-exam.”
“Nope, nada… no more celebrating me. I still don’t know if I can drink after last weekend.”
“Not my call to get on stage with the queens and challenge to a dance-off. Mom watches the video daily.”
All men chuckle and my skin heats. “Talon! It was a bachelorette party and you weren’t supposed to be there. Much less video!”
He leans down and skims his lips across my neck. “Sorry I ruined that dress when we got home.”