Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“You two get outta here. I've…” Ellis clears his throat, shifting uncomfortably on his feet as he corrects himself. “…we've got this. Promise.”
“Best behavior,” Atlas growls as Nora rushes back to the bedroom to put the finishing touches on her outfit. “I fucking mean it. My girl’s already nervous enough being away from James for the first time, so if either of you ruin it for her, I'll make you wish—”
“Heel, Fido. Officer Jackass and I might be oil and water, but we can put our differences aside for one night... for y'all. And if not, then he can go home.”
“You wish,” he says at the same time Atlas says, “No, he really can’t.”
“You're right. I do wish, but this isn't about me, Ellis. Think you can set your ego aside for one night?”
“Ego?” I try my best not to smile at the outrage in his voice. “What ego?”
I roll my eyes and walk into the living room with James on my hip, settling us both down onto the couch.
Nora breezes back into the room, prattling on like she never left. “The pediatrician's number is on the fridge, too, and—”
“Nora, babe, we got this. Go out with your man, eat good food, and have fun. Don't worry about us.”
“What she said,” Ellis mutters, still pouting with his arms crossed like a scolded child. “But not make-another-baby fun. Wrap that shit up.”
Atlas groans as Nora's cheeks flush as red as a strawberry, as she once again flits out of the room. “What in the hell is wrong with you, man?” Atlas growls, his eyes never leaving Nora’s retreating form.
“Oh, you’re just now realizing something's not right with this one?” I press my nose to the top of James's head and inhale his sweet baby smell. Although these days he’s edging into the stinky, sticky toddler smell. “Better late than never, I guess.”
“There's nothing wrong with me, Princess.”
I flip him off, discreetly of course, using the hand I'm rubbing James's back with.
“Real cute, Scar.”
My lips curl into a wicked grin. “That's the first smart thing I've heard you say all night.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose before throwing himself down onto the couch beside me, far too close for comfort. I try to inch away from him, but he just manspreads further. He’s so close I can practically feel the heat of his body next to mine.
“I mean it,” Atlas says, his glare flipping back and forth between the two of us. “Act right or...”
“Or what?” Ellis says, unable to stop himself from poking the proverbial bear.
“Or I'll enroll y’all in couple's therapy.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
It's obviously an empty threat, but Ellis on the other hand, explodes. “You can't do that—we're not... she's... I...”
“You're what?” Nora asks, walking back into the living room and leaning over the back of the couch to soak up some last-minute baby loving.
“Not a couple with Scarlet!” he shouts, outrage soaking his each and every word.
“Okay.” She draws the word out as though speaking to a child, which is apt, because he’s certainly acting like one.
“Are we just stating super obvious things?” She scrunches her nose. “Okay, my turn… my hair is red.”
“Dammit, Nora. I know your hair is—”
“So, we're not stating the obvious?” She plucks James from my arms and cuddles him to her chest. “Then what exactly are we doing?”
Ellis cuts his eyes toward Atlas and sighs in defeat, slumping back against the couch. “Nothing.”
She glances between the three of us before shaking her head. “Whatever. He's already had a bath, so no worries there. We usually eat around six, which I guess y’all already know.”
“Take a breath,” I murmur. “Everything’s going to be fine.”
Nora shoots me a grateful look. “He has dinner in the fridge with heating instructions. He’ll want a bottle at bedtime, which is usually between eight and nine. He'll sometimes get fussy and wake up around one or two, but usually settles down pretty quickly. He typically sleeps until seven. His bottle is prepped and ready in the fridge, along with instructions on how to heat it. Breakfast is easy—fruit and eggs.”
She wrings her hands together—something Atlas catches right away, sliding his hand into hers and squeezing gently. “Um... let’s see… he hates being swaddled but loves being rocked. I read to him every night but you totally don't—”
“Nora, babe, we've got this. Go, have fun. I'll check in periodically.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” I move to take James back but Ellis beats me to it, snuggling the little guy against his broad chest.
Not gonna lie, seeing him hold a baby does things to me. Stupid, fluttery things. The kind of things I’ll never, ever admit out loud, not even for a million bucks.
There are some things worth taking to your grave, after all.
SEVEN
ELLIS
There’s something about holding James when I know how badly Scarlet wants him that feels a lot like winning. Actually, it's better than winning, because uncle life is the best, and my little dude is cool as hell. So really, pissing her off is more like the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae.