Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Ignoring his loud belch and him pounding on his chest like Tarzan, he ignores what I asked and says, “Let’s do shots, and text Melanie to get her ass over here.”
“How about we wait for Ammo to come home and see what he thinks.” I smile at him, because Nuke is a mess, but I completely adore him.
Not sure if it’s because I see parts of myself in him, or what. But Nuke’s been hurt, deeply. He has a sadness he covers up with laughter, and self-medicating, but it’s there, and all I want to do is give him a hug and tell him it’s gonna be okay.
Thank God, I found Ammo. That could easily be me in ten years, locking myself up in my house, drinking away my pain and loneliness.
“Courtney, you are a beautiful, rock goddess, way too young to be this much of a bummer…now pick your poison.” Nuke walks over to Ammo’s liquor closet and starts lining up booze.
“Wait, Nuke, what are we doing?”
“We’re partying, isn’t it obvious?” He sets down a bottle of George Clooney’s tequila that he’s found in the cabinet.
“No. No way. We are not having a party. Melanie was one thing…and…them.” I look over at the girls who are taking selfies and fight my eye roll.
“Court, I’ll make you a deal.” He grins and tosses an arm around my shoulder. “If I can pick your favorite shot, then you have to party with me, deal?” He grins down at me, then motions to the numerous bottles lined up on the island as I raise an eyebrow at him and smirk.
“Fine.” Since he has every type of alcohol except for my newly acquired taste, I’ll get out of this deal easily.
“Okay.” He takes a dramatic breath, and I can’t help but smile. The man’s been up for God knows how many nights, and he’s still freakin hot. He just screams fucked-up bad boy and begs for the right woman to come save him. Melanie needs to be careful.
“Let me see…” He walks over to the bottles, his eyes scanning all of them, then looking at me.
“And done.” He pretends like he’s playing the drums when he says he’s done while a lock of his black hair falls over one eye.
“Well?” I say, challenging.
“It’s…” He moves toward the expensive bottle of bourbon, then spins and opens the freezer, pulling out Ammo’s green bottle of Jäger.
“This, baby girl, is your poison. Now prepare to drink with me.” He throws his head back and howls, like a freakin’ lone wolf calling for his pack.
“Oh my God.” I look at him. “You cheated. How did you know?” I slap at his arm as he laughs harder and starts to pour us two giant shots.
“Court, it’s not hard. You’re in love with Ammo, and Ammo loves Jägermeister.” He hands me my shot as I blink at him. I haven’t even admitted that to Marshall, yet Nuke knows?
“What?” He grins at me.
“I just…I don’t know what I’m trying to say.” My cheeks immediately heat up.
“Ah. So, you haven’t told him you love him yet?” My heart skips at his words, as I clink his glass and shoot the dark brown spicy liquor, before I say.
“I…have a hard time expressing myself.”
“Me too. Drink, it helps.” He leans his hip on the counter as I give up. He’s a bad influence but right now. Maybe he’s right… All of a sudden I’m kind of raw and I can’t deal with any of this sober.
“Ammo told you he loves you, hasn’t he?” His dark eyes turn suddenly serious, and this is what I mean about Nuke. He’s all jokes until he’s not, then it’s like he can read your mind.
“Well?” He reaches for his shot.
“He has.” I clear my throat as I breathe out, bringing the next shot to my lips. Nuke cocks his head, his eyes narrowing.
“Huh. So, I’ve known Marshall for twenty years, and I’ve never seen him like this…be careful with his heart.” My eyes dart from the Jäger to his, and I suddenly shiver. Why does he sound so ominous? I shoot the entire second shot feeling the licorice taste go to work.
“What does that mean?”
“Yo? Nuke. Where you at?” Loud voices break into what feels like a really big moment. Like Nuke is acting like I’m going to be the one to fuck this up? Which is absurd, and if he wasn’t walking away from me right now, I’d tell him that.
“Courtney.” Nuke calls out over his shoulder, “Get Melanie over here.” And then he’s gone, and I take a deep breath and try to think.
Okay, first, I need to go upstairs and change.
Second, I need to get Melanie over here, and not for Nuke…I need her.
And third…I glance over at the two girls who are now snorting cocaine on Ammo’s kitchen table. Third…I need to hope that this weird feeling that’s taking over me is nothing.