Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“You aren’t listenin’,” Wyatt said, his hand reached around to pat Scout on the chest. “Tell him.”
The guys had never understood the work demands of my industry. My workload was dependent on the vibrant popularity of my career. Last year, I hit A-list status. The last contract I’d signed for Titan’s Fall tripled my income.
“I overwork, but you know I gotta strike while the iron’s hot. At any point, I could become irrelevant, and it’ll all be over.”
Which didn’t seem all that bad right now.
I shifted the gear to reverse from the parking spot. It barely came to a stop before I shifted again and pressed the gas petal. I kept my eyes peeled for the landmarks, trying to understand what I was missing in the directions.
“I think this iron’s smokin’ hot because you’ve been sayin’ those same words for the last three years and nothin’s cooled off. Besides, Linda came over to the house a few nights ago to see my mom. She wants me to tell you to answer the phone and slow down or she’s comin’ to New York.”
Linda. The poster woman for every stereotype given about Texas mothers. When we all first met, she was our little league team mom, and my mom’s best friend since they were in grade school. She’d taken me on as her own child after my mom lost her battle with breast cancer. She made comfort food better than anyone else, all while raising a pack of children, maintaining a clean home, and staying current with all the gossip in her small town. I had no doubt she’d fly across the world to be by my side if she felt something was off.
“Don’t ever let her get on a plane. She’d not be happy with what she found,” I said truthfully.
“Linda told me that you’re datin’ some famous model. She showed me her picture. What I want to know is, does she have any hot siblin’s?” Wyatt asked, changing the subject as quickly as his mind worked. “Linda said she’s a Miss Universe turned influencer and walked the Victoria Secret stage. Does she wear those white diamond wings anywhere else?”
“You’re dumb,” Scout answered for me.
My laughter had to do with the entire exchange. In all honesty, I had no idea what online tabloid might have paired me with anyone. The entire acting community was way too ambitious. Leaks were given only for publicity, no truth needed, and monogamy was laughable.
In all these years, I had never officially come out. Ten years ago, during my modeling career, I almost had. I fancied myself in love with one of the other guys, but ultimately, public opinion swayed the decision more than living my authenticity. Market research wasn’t needed to know my fans came from middle America, and they’d drop me like a rock if they knew the truth.
“Okay, that’s not the first time I’ve heard I’m dumb, so I’m guessin’ that might be true, but spill the deets.” Boy, Wyatt was something else. He never stopped. The guy had so much confidence that nothing slowed him down.
“Are we goin’ around in a circle?” Scout asked, looking over one shoulder then the other. “We are.”
“Yeah,” I said, bringing the Jeep to a slow stop in the middle of the quiet Main Street. “It says the liquor store’s around here somewhere, but I can’t find it.”
“Go again. I’ll watch too.”
Wyatt plopped back in the seat, disgruntled. “That diamond bra. I searched it on YouTube. It’s a game changer.”
“Is he serious?” I asked Scout. “He doesn’t remember I’m into ass? Seems something he should know by now.”
“I remember,” Scout murmured, pointing toward the left hand turn I had made the first time around.
“Doesn’t mean you don’t have a beard. And honestly, that self-lubricatin’ thing females do is handy,” Wyatt said, lifting up in the seat again to make sure they heard.
“Well, here’s the truth. I think the woman Linda might’ve shown you struggles to keep her clothes on. Google that shit then tell me if you think she wears those damn wings.”
“Hey. You missed the turn.” Scout pointed to one of two left-hand entrances. “I don’t think it’s tellin’ you to go down the street. I think it’s tellin’ us to take the alley.”
I came to a stop again, glancing between the side-by-side openings. The alley led directly to the rear of the strip of leased spaces on Main Street, but the other road was the entrance to a small housing addition. They’d just traveled on that side of the street to make a full circle in front of the saloon.
“Back up. Maybe there’s somethin’ down there,” Wyatt piped in, standing, holding on to the roll bar as if he’d see the area better. I did as instructed, reversing to take the first turn. The road was barely put together, causing them to slowly bump and bounce as they went.