Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“They’re so cute. I never saw anyone handle birds like that,” Angel says as I slide between the branches of a huckleberry bush to peek onto the yard where we keep all our chickens.
“Don’t you worry, it won’t bite,” Rooster says, and I can imagine his wide smile even before I spot his big mohawk. It’s dyed red, as if it being naturally ginger wasn’t enough for him. The youngest member of our motorcycle club is reckless, a bit silly, and maybe too nice of a person to sell drugs and scare old ladies with his appearance alone. But he’s Harvey’s son, a legacy member, so it’s none of my business to question his place.
The worst thing though? He flirts with everyone, hoping something sticks.
And when Angel smiles before stroking the chicken in Rooster’s arms, my insides simmer. The fuck does that red-haired kid think he’s doing?
“Her name’s Cabbage, because that’s her favorite food. Are you vegetarian?” Rooster is taller than Angel, especially with the mohawk, and while he’s on the slim side, the lean muscles of his arms are exposed by the white shirt with no sleeves. The top is already stained, and he’s wearing it with cowboy boots, but Angel doesn’t seem to mind and stands even closer as he pets the chicken.
“Mostly plant-based, but I do eat meat when it makes sense. I hope I won’t find Cabbage on my plate anytime soon?”
Rooster steps back and places the bird on the ground. “No way. She’s my partner. Look!”
I can’t fucking believe it. He’s trying to woo my Angel the same way he does with girls! I don’t get to even think any of this through, and Rooster is already in a handstand. One whistle later, Cabbage the Chicken leaps up, flapping her wings to perch on the sole of his foot.
And, predictably, Angel loves it.
“That’s one well-trained chicken!” He doesn’t just smile. He laughs with such glee, sunshine can’t compete with the brightness of his voice. His eyes wrinkling, lips stretched widely, he’s the picture of joy when he claps at Rooster’s efforts, and I swear his gaze darts to the bastard's stomach when Rooster’s top pools down at his armpits.
Just like when I first licked him, I don’t think and act on instinct.
“I trained her with real juicy worms,” Rooster says, voice strained with effort, but by the time he finishes his sentence, I’m already there.
I push him over as Cabbage flops away with a cluck. “The fuck do you think you’re doing?” I ask, physically aware of Angel’s presence. His gaze burns with disapproval, but I can’t stand by and do nothing when Rooster’s trying to coerce him into his grasp.
“What—have you been here this whole time?” Angel chokes out, his wide eyes bluer than the cloud-painted sky above.
Rooster scowls at me, picking himself up from the ground “What the fuck, man?”
I look between them in frustration, unsure whom to answer first, but I’m pissed off with Rooster, so I go with that. “‘Pet the chicken’? Really? Why don’t you just go all out and ask him to stroke your cock, huh?”
Angel’s mouth drops, and the shade of Rooster’s face soon rivals his hair. “I’m not even gay, man. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Oh really? I’ve seen the way he watches guys when he thinks no one sees him, and I don’t trust him one—
“What the hell?” Angel shoves at my chest, his pretty pink mouth twisted into a scowl that shows all of his nice teeth. “You were gone for three days! No hello, no how are you doing? You couldn’t even knock when you left cleaning supplies on my doorstep, and now you’re angry I’m talking to someone else?”
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, I sizzle under Angel’s scrutiny when Rooster smirks and pulls out a cigarette. “Yeah, Creep, you’ve not pissed on his leg, so I don’t get—”
I push his chest in frustration. “You, shut up!” I turn toward Angel but still can’t make myself meet his eyes.
“Is this… the shoelace I lost?” he asks, and I hurriedly hide my left hand behind my back. “I was… hmm…”
I watch his feet as he steps closer, the missing shoelace replaced with a basic white one. “You just left me on my own. I don’t know anyone here, and you disappeared. I counted on you, and you weren’t there!” Another push. “I waited. Even got the tea you like from Brigid, so I’d have it on hand when you finally show up. But you never did, until now! How dare you chastise him when he’s just keeping me company?”
He… counted on me? I was pretty sure he preferred to be left alone, so he could make friends with nice people.
Rooster watches me inquisitively and grabs Cabbage as if she’s a chicken-shaped shield. Bastard.