Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Her head falls back in laughter, and I want to capture the sound so I can always listen to it. Foster grins, proud of himself for making her laugh, and while I appreciate the fact that she’s happy, I’m also really fucking annoyed that it’s because of him. I know that’s a contradiction, but it is what it is.
“When do you start?” Reid asks.
“Monday.”
“Nice.” He nods. “Welcome to the Rampage family.”
Landry grumbles under his breath, and we all laugh. The guys keep saying it to get a rise out of him. It’s just too damn easy.
Corie smiles again, and I watch as she shivers.
“We should start a fire,” I say, standing and tossing my empty water bottle into the outdoor trash can.
“It is getting chilly out here,” Sloane agrees.
I start my journey down the steps to the fire pit to get it started. I’d offer her the hoodie in my truck, but that’s pushing it. Besides, she lives here. She can go up to her room and grab one of her own. This is the only way I can ensure she’s warm without making it obvious.
By the time I have the fire lit, they’ve all joined me. Everyone takes a seat, but we’re still short two. I’m honestly surprised Landry has not taken care of that now that she’s home and Sloane is always here. I would mention it to him, but if there’s a chance for her to be on my lap, I’m keeping my mouth shut.
“All right, boys, who wants me?” Sloane asks.
Landry groans because Sloane is like a sister to him. “Not it,” he says, holding his hands up.
“I got you,” Foster says, patting his leg.
Sloane wastes no time making herself at home on his lap. The two start talking, and I look away, searching for Corie. She’s standing a few feet away. I stare until she feels my gaze and turns to face me. It’s mere seconds, but it’s long enough for one of the other guys to offer, and I’ll be the only one she’s sitting with tonight.
This is the last time. That’s what I tell myself as I hold my hand out for her, even though I know it’s complete bullshit. A lie doesn’t matter if you only lie to yourself, right? She steps lightly and settles on my lap with a nervous laugh. I glance at Landry, and he’s scrolling through his phone. My eyes dart around the fire, and no one seems to be paying too much attention to the fact that she’s on my lap again.
Where she belongs.
“What’s it gonna be?” Sloane asks. “Truth or Dare or Name that Tune?”
“Never have I ever is always a good one,” Landry adds.
“Name that Tune,” Baker votes. “Baby Reynolds, you’re going down,” he says, rubbing his hands together.
“You really think that you can beat me?” Corie asks him.
“I’ve been working on my playlist,” he tells her.
“All right, big man, let’s see what you’ve got,” Corie taunts.
“Let’s see,” Baker says, scrolling through his phone. “Got it.” He nods, and there’s a smile on his face. He thinks he’s going to stump her with this one.
The first notes of the song play, and Corie wiggles in my lap as she shouts, “‘The Ballad of Jayne.’ LA Guns!”
“Fuck,” Baker mutters.
“Your turn, Corie,” Sloane says with glee.
My phone is already in my hand. I type in the code and hand it to her. She looks over her shoulder at me and grins as she scrolls, looking for the perfect choice. “Here we go,” she says as she hits Play. The song plays for five seconds and cuts off without anyone guessing. “Well?” she says, and I can hear in her voice that she’s pumped that she has them stumped.
“Beckett, my man, a hint,” Foster says.
“No way.” Corie turns and places her hand over my mouth, and I can’t help it. I lick her palm. Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t drop her hand as she turns back to glance at Foster on the other side of the fire. “That’s cheating. He can see the phone.”
“Fine, phone a friend,” Foster mutters.
“We’re all right here, genius.” Reid laughs. “I admit defeat on this one, Corie. Tell us what it is.”
“Is everyone throwing in the towel?” she asks.
“I think we need to change the rules,” Landry suggests. “If we don’t get it from the first five seconds, we should get a hint.”
“Nope. That’s not how it works. When we started this game years ago, we agreed it was only five seconds. Besides, we’re not keeping score, so you don’t get to hear more of the song. I can play the same five seconds again,” she offers.
“Fine. Play it,” Landry says. He sits up in his chair and leans his elbows on his knees as if that will help him hear it better. “Turn it up, too.”