Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Stop making fun of your brother. Those slides used to scare you too,” Emerson said in a warning tone, and Audrey fell silent while Sam stuck out his tongue to get the last word in.
But their bickering wasn’t enough to douse his mood. His weekend had been pretty fucking awesome as well. After he put the kids to bed, he almost asked Rhys to sleep with him, but he’d ultimately decided against it. They probably both needed the space to consider what had transpired between them. Plus, was he ready to risk the kids knowing and being confused? Well, at least Sam.
Rhys had been so sweet and patient—and freaking hot—as Emerson fumbled his way through his first time with a man. He didn’t make him feel like an amateur, only sexy and deserving while he set his body on fire. Emerson definitely needed more of that, more of him. But he’d be lying if he didn’t admit he almost wanted Rhys too much, and that scared the shit out of him.
Sam bolted out of the car first, but Audrey stayed seated with her hand on the door handle. It was another long moment before he noticed she was trembling. “Audrey, what’s—”
“I’m sorry I told him,” she said in a rush. “I hope you don’t hate me.”
“Honey, I could never hate you.” Emerson’s heart was pounding because he knew what was coming; it was the thing he feared, but hoped he was wrong. “Now explain what you mean.”
“About the kiss,” she mumbled, keeping her gaze trained on the floor, where her book bag was lodged between her knees. “I was upset about you and Neil hanging out, and I wanted it to be—”
“When was this?” he implored, trying to sound normal instead of panicked and pissed. “When did you tell him?”
“After you left for the game.”
Emerson’s brain reeled with snapshots from their weekend. How Rhys had gone out with a friend that night, then came to Emerson’s room…and the rest was history.
“Oh my God, you didn’t know?” She looked stricken, her eyes filling with tears. “But you said everything was great. And Rhys said that everything would be okay.”
Emerson reached out with a shaky hand, knowing now was the time to switch into responsible parent mode before she became hysterical. He could swallow down his nausea until he got her into the building. She was only a kid and didn’t need the guilt or pressure on her shoulders, but damn if she hadn’t just rocked his world.
“It’s okay.” He made himself say the words through a strained voice as she threw herself into his arms and dug her face into his shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted you to have a chance.” She sounded wrecked.
“It wasn’t fair to ask you to keep a secret. It’s totally my fault.” Emerson squeezed her tighter, more so to hold the pieces of himself together. “I was only trying to give him time. But maybe that wasn’t the greatest idea.”
Time to remember on his own or come to the same conclusion.
But wasn’t that what happened? Obviously not.
He only came to his room after Audrey told him.
Still, he came and obviously wanted him. Right? Fuck, his brain felt like it was on a jerky carnival ride. Could he trust his own instincts? He suddenly wasn’t so sure.
“Is everything gonna be okay?” she asked in such an earnest voice that a lump formed in his throat.
“Of course. Rhys will never not be in our lives,” he replied, trying to sound hopeful and more parental but probably failing miserably. “He’s part of our family and will always be my best friend.”
“Really?” She sat back and wiped her eyes, seeming relieved. He wasn’t sure if it was because she wasn’t in trouble or because he’d promised that Rhys would be sticking around. She didn’t need any more loss in her life.
“How about worrying about your own stuff and letting Rhys and me work it out for ourselves, okay?”
“It’s a deal,” she said absently as she waved at some kid on the sidewalk, her face flushed rosy pink.
“Kevin?” he asked, trying to keep his voice even. Fuck, he’d almost forgotten about her crush.
She shrugged, already closing herself off from any intruding questions. “Gotta go.”
Then she was out of the car, leaving him to wade through the destruction from the bombshell she’d just dropped.
He arrived at work without even remembering how he got there, he was so preoccupied.
Thankfully he was able to immerse himself in his morning workload and lost track of time until Neil was suddenly standing near his desk, holding a bag from their favorite deli. “I have a lobster roll with your name on it.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” He pushed back from his desk and accepted Neil’s offering as he sat down in the seat opposite his desk and opened the bag. “On me next time.”