Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
“Yes, he did.”
“Well, shit.”
“Yup, I’m pretty sure I might not make it out of here alive.” Aynslee laughed, causing Jordan to smile. God, he missed her. “No, he’s a big teddy bear. Put me on speakerphone again.”
Jordan did as she asked and put the phone on the bar as she said, “Hi, Mom and Dad!” “Hello, darling,” Tully said with a small smile playing on her lips.
“Aynslee Kathleen,” Bowie said, his eyes still glued to Jordan. He was pretty sure he was going to die today.
“Dad, stop. I have sex. I’m thirty-one, what do you expect?” But Bowie didn’t budge until Tully slapped his chest.
“Stop, you’re scaring him,” she said in a mock whisper before turning back to the phone. “He seems nice.”
“He is. Jordan is wonderful, Mom. I’m glad you’re meeting.” Jordan smiled as he said, “I wish you were here.”
“Me too, but I’m buying crotchless panties, so I’ll let you guys be,” she said teasingly. Jordan cringed at her words, but he also became hard as a rock. He was glad he was
sitting behind the bar, because this woman drove him mad. “And, Daddy, please don’t kill him. I like him a whole lot.”
“I’ll try,” Bowie answered, receiving another smack from Tully.
“He’ll be good, and you be good too. For Christ’s sake, crotchless, Aynslee!” Tully exclaimed. She then reached over to take Jordan’s hand. “We’ll take care of him, feed him good, and he’ll meet the rest of the family.”
“Oh, for the love of God, please don’t do that to him.”
Bowie let out a big laugh as he said, “But he won’t be family until that happens. He’ll be fine, we promise.”
Something moved in Jordan’s chest. It felt good to know they already considered him
family.
* * *
“Oh, God, Jordan, I hope you still like me after you meet those crazy folks.” “I’m sure I will.”
“So you think. Call me later?” “Absolutely.”
As he talked more with her parents, Jordan learned that even though Aynslee looked like
her dad, she was more like her mother. Tully was loud, funny, and made Jordan laugh just as hard as Aynslee did. He loved her instantly, and when he met the whole Shaw clan, he felt right at home. They were loud and very loving—though he wasn’t too sure about Flynn and Brady. He ate amazing food, played with all the kids, got interrogated by Aynslee’s sisters, and even met the bat-shit-crazy Aunt Fern. Everything Aynslee had said about her klepto aunt was true—she tried to steal his wallet and phone off the counter, but Tully stopped her and told Jordan to put his things in his pocket.
He was having a great time, and when he got a call from Coach Bacter, things became a thousand times better.
“Yes, I’m ready. Thank you,” Jordan said, before turning off his phone. “Everything okay, honey?”
Jordan smiled over at Tully as he nodded. “Great, I just have to call your daughter,” he said, dialing her number. He usually would have called his dad first, but he couldn’t wait to tell Aynslee his news.
“Hello,” she said quickly. “Are you calling to break up with me?”
“Hell no, your family is awesome. I’ve got something great to tell you.” “What is it?”
“I’m playing tomorrow,” he said, the biggest grin imaginable on his face. “Oh, my God! Seriously? I’m so happy for you!”
“Thanks, I’m so excited.”
“I bet. That’s awesome, baby. You’re gonna kick ass.” “Damn right. Can you get a flight here?”
“Shit, I don’t know. I’ll try, but I have a meeting with some teachers for a new plan we are working on.”
Jordan’s smile fell. “No, I completely understand. It’s fine.” “No, it’s not. I’m sorry. I suck. Let me see what I can do.”
“No, you don’t,” he said with a heavy heart. “Corny as it may sound, you’ll be in my
heart.”
* * *
“Oh, that’s not fair!” she laughed. “Are you are least serving some pie with that guilt?” Jordan snorted as he shook his head. “I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. I was trying
to be romantic!” he said, his face turning bright red. “Aw, I really do like you a lot.”
Jordan’s mouth pulled up at the sides as he closed his eyes, wanting to tell her that like
was so far from what he was feeling. He was completely and hopelessly in love with this woman. “I feel the exact same way. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, have fun.” “Wish you were here.” “Me too. Bye, baby.”
Ending the call, Jordan let out a long sigh. “You’re playing tomorrow?”
Jordan turned toward Aynslee’s mom.
“Yes, ma’am. I was hoping she could be there.” “I think she likes you a lot.”
“I love her,” Jordan admitted.
Tully smiled widely at him as she nodded. “I can tell.”
“Things are a little crazy right now, but I promise I’m doing everything I can to make her
happy.”
“That’s all I can ask for.”