Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 136048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Jonah laughs with exasperation. “Do you have any idea how much of that needs to be unpacked? Like first, what the hell do you mean you’re going back to work in a few days? You only just got stabbed. It should be months before you head back there. You need to heal properly. And second, Knight. Don’t think I didn’t notice how you just glossed right over your explanation earlier. Because what the hell do you mean you’re living together? How long have you two been involved?”
My face scrunches as I try to figure out a timeline. “Ummm, I don’t know. I suppose it all kinda started at that sham of an anniversary dinner Mom threw a few months ago. Knight drove me home after that, and it just kinda . . . grew.”
“Grew?”
“Yep. Grew.”
“Wonderful,” he mutters. “And I’m assuming that because you’re still breathing, Mom doesn’t have even the smallest idea.”
“Nope. And it’s going to stay that way.”
“You’re asking for trouble,” he tells me. “Have you even considered how fucking awkward shit will be at family dinners after you inevitably break up?”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I mutter. “But we’re not breaking up anytime soon. This thing between us, it’s serious. I’m in love with him, and he’s in love with me. Not to mention, he’s an overly possessive grumpy caveman. Even if I tried to break up with him, he’s not about to let me go anywhere. Me and Knight . . . It’s just something you’re going to have to learn to get comfortable with, because neither of us has any intention of stepping away from this.”
“Shit. It’s really that serious?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, fuck. Who would have known that any man would actually want to subject himself to your bullshit? I was going to put your name down at the local pound to be the number one contact for every cat that came through the door to help you get a head start on your inevitable cat-lady lifestyle.”
“Yeah, and I was about to have you subscribed to every dildo manufacturer in the country because you’re obviously a little bitch who likes to take a big dick or two.”
“I hate you.”
“Hate you too, big brother.”
Jonah laughs, but the sound quickly fades. “Listen, I, ummm . . . I’m really glad that you’re doing okay. It’s shit that the cops haven’t found the guy who hurt you, but I’m proud of you for not letting this destroy you. If anything, you sound stronger, and I don’t know if that has anything to do with having Knight in your life, but if it’s as serious as you say it is, and you really are in love with your uncle, then you know you have my full support. All I’ve ever wanted was to see you happy.”
“Thanks, Jonah,” I whisper, a small smile playing on my lips as I think about this new life I’ve started building with Knight, and while it terrifies me to completely hand my heart over to him and make myself vulnerable, there’s nothing I want more. “I’m really happy.”
“Good. I’m glad,” he says. “But would it also kill you to pick up the phone every now and then to give your big brother a call? Hell, doesn’t even have to be a call. A text would do.”
“You’re not getting soft on me, are you?”
“No,” he mutters. “I just think it’d be nice if we didn’t act like such strangers all the time. You know, for the twins, of course.”
“Right. For the twins.”
Jonah laughs, and just as the call goes quiet, a brilliant warmth spreads through my chest. “Hey, Jonah?” I say, my lips quirking into a small smile. “You’re a dork, but I really love you.”
He scoffs. “Nawww. Don’t hit me with that shit because then I’m going to feel compelled to say it back, and you know those words just seem to get stuck in my throat.”
“I know. It’s because you’re an emotionally crippled ape who is incapable of understanding and communicating grown-up emotions. It really baffles me how you managed to get Emily to not only marry you but procreate. Hats off to her. She must be a saint to put up with your shit.”
“Ha. Ha.”
I grin to myself. There’s nothing I love more than giving Jonah a hard time.
“Alright, I’ve gotta go. Some of us actually have jobs to go to and don’t get to spend all day fucking around on the couch doing nothing.”
I roll my eyes, not prepared to let on just how much that jab stung. I’d do anything to get off this damn couch and get back to work, but it’s only a few more days away. “Fine. I’ll talk to you later,” I tell him. “Maybe the girls could call when they get home from daycare and tell me all about their day.”