Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Had he fucking heard of consolidating?
He was, in short, perfect with the cleanliness. But he had to be the untidiest neat freak out there.
And what did it say about me when I found that nonsense endearing?
Except for the crumbs in bed. I’d almost safeworded the other night when he’d brushed crumbs off his chest.
Animal.
I blew out a breath and grabbed a new trash bag from under the sink in the kitchen.
I was gonna miss him.
I wasn’t ready to go home.
River and Shay appeared around eleven, dressed in shorts, bed heads, and sleep lines.
“Well, good mornin’.” Reese smiled and lifted his coffee mug. “You snooze, you miss out on Lane’s breakfast.”
I chuckled. It wasn’t much to brag about, but the food filled our stomachs. The house was in good shape again, not counting the hallway where all the garbage was gathered in six trash bags. And with that done, I’d taken a quick shower before I’d pretended to know what I was doing in the kitchen. I’d cut up a bunch of fruit, I’d made toast, and I’d taken crispy bacon to a whole new level.
Now I could sit here on the patio and relax with a clear conscience.
“There’s coffee in the kitchen,” Ty said.
“Perfect,” River yawned.
Macklin and Walker appeared right after, hand in hand, both yawning and looking all kinds of in love.
To be honest, I was relieved to have that whole thing settled. So damn relieved. Yeah, it raised some concerns about where I would fit in, but this was why I kept one foot out the door. To minimize the hurt and instability. No matter the outcome, I’d be able to retreat to my place where everything was the way I needed it to be—and I had my family. Corey was my constant. More my brother than my cousin.
A few more good-mornings were exchanged, and Shay and Walker commented on how clean the house suddenly was after last night as they took their seats around the firepit. Macklin sat down on the floor between Walker’s feet, legs folded neatly under him.
“That’s all Lane.” Ty looked at me with a semi-unreadable expression. Something was going on in his mind; it was nothing hostile or worrisome, but it felt like he was trying to figure me out. I’d caught him looking like that a few times this morning already.
Maybe it had to do with the fact that we were leaving tomorrow.
Maybe this week had been nothing like he’d imagined either.
Trapped in his pensive gaze, I almost missed out on Macklin telling the others that he wasn’t surprised I’d cleaned up after the party. It was possible I’d tidied up at his place once or twice, something that made Shay and Reese chuckle.
I took a swig of my water and reached for another piece of pineapple. I’d bought it for cocktails, but we had plenty left. The lemons were all gone, though. Ty, River, and I had inhaled gin.
“So what are we doing today?” Macklin asked. “Walker and I are heading to Marco Island for some shopping in an hour, but we won’t be long.”
“Shopping, huh?” Walker smirked and ran his fingers through Macklin’s hair. “I thought we said coffee and somethin’ sweet.”
Macklin grinned up at his Master. “We can’t go home without souvenirs.”
I had enough souvenirs. Some awesome photos and memories I’d cherish for the rest of my life. That was all I wanted. I’d pick up something at the airport for Corey.
“I guess playtime between our subs is a pipe dream?” Reese wondered. “I haven’t gotten my live porn show.”
I chuckled and draped my legs over the armrest and sank down a bit in my chair. As attracted as I was to Shay, I would prefer to save that playtime for when we got home. My last twenty-four hours here…yeah, I wanted to spend every minute with Ty.
“You don’t know how sore my ass is,” Macklin said.
“He knows,” Shay grumbled. “He just doesn’t care.”
Reese merely smiled.
I’d just blurt it out, then. “How about when we get home? Since you’ve coerced me into joining your community, I need a reason to visit your haunted mansion in Mclean.”
“It’s settled.” Reese nodded firmly. “We’ll find a date.”
River rejoined us with coffee for himself, Shay, and Walker. “Let’s take it easy today. I don’t foresee my headache leavin’ anytime soon.”
“Amen,” Ty yawned.
All that yawning was contagious. Plus, the morning was catching up to me. Between swimming, cleaning, and preparing breakfast, I’d forgotten to chill. Hell, I could go for a nap—if only the boat wasn’t too hot in the middle of the day.
“I know we just woke up, but I wanna nap,” Shay said.
I flicked a glance at Ty. “Me too.”
He was already watching me. “All right—so I propose we get together for a bite to eat when Walker and Macklin return. Maybe they can bring takeout…?”