Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Let’s finish the game, so I can get the hell out of here. I don’t even know why I let you talk me into this, Brody,” I snapped back.
The three of them glanced between each other before looking back at me. “Dude, what’s going on with you?” Chip asked. “You better get whatever this is taken care of before you bring your ass back to work. You can’t be distracted like this on the job.”
Braxton snatched the ball from Brody’s hand, rushed down the gym court, and threw it into the basket.
Groaning, Brody headed over to the bench and grabbed a towel. “I’m done.”
I followed him while Chip and Braxton celebrated their win in the most obnoxious way they could. Jumping up and high fiving each other as they whooped and hollered. A few women off to the side smiled and whispered as they watched the four of us. Chip caught their attention and smiled back.
“Afternoon, ladies,” he said before he finally made his way over to us. “Thanks for the fun workout, gents, but it’s time for me to go hit the weights. Brax, you coming?” Chip asked.
Braxton stared at Chip with a befuddled look. “You actually think I’m going to work out next to you?”
Chip frowned. “Why not?”
“Oh, let’s see. Because you’re built like a fucking…”
The three of us leaned in closer to hear how Braxton was going to describe Chip.
“I’m built like what?” Chip asked on a laugh.
“I’m not working out with you. You’ll make me look like a lesser man.”
The three of us burst out laughing.
“If the shoe fits,” Chip said, slapping Braxton on the back.
Braxton smirked and pushed him away. “Fuck off, Chip.”
Chip was indeed a built motherfucker. He was on the wrestling team in high school and did some boxing while he was in the Navy. He’d moved back to Seaside not long before I’d gotten out of the service. From what I could tell, he enjoyed the single life and never had a problem getting women to go out with him.
“Later, losers!” Chip called out as he started for the weight room. One of the women he’d flirted with grabbed her bag, waved to her friends, and quickly followed.
“Bastard’s probably going to get lucky tonight,” Braxton huffed.
Brody sighed and started to pack up his own gym bag. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Brax. Or are you still pissed about the gossip column?”
I laughed when Braxton shot Brody a dirty look.
“I was treated unfairly in that damn article,” Braxton said. “Or whatever the hell you want to call it.”
Brody raised a single brow. “Did you snub Harlee at that wedding?”
Braxton opened his mouth and then shut it.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Fuck off, Brody. There’s more to the story.”
I smiled and shook my head, grabbing my bag. “There always is when it comes to gossip. I need to get going.”
Brody stopped me before I could start for the door. “Hey, before you take off, what are you doing tonight? We haven’t had a guys’ night in a long time. I was thinking of ordering some pizzas, maybe play a little poker.”
“Yes!” Braxton said with a fist pump. “Dude…pizza, beer, and poker. How can you say no to that?”
“I can’t tonight,” I said, feeling my cheeks get hot as I glanced over at Braxton.
“Why not?” he and Brody asked at the same time.
“I’m having dinner with your sister tonight at Pete’s, remember?”
Braxton nodded, but Brody huffed. “Dude, ever since Adelaide came back into town, you’ve been blowing us off. I’m surprised you even came to play today.”
I rubbed at the back of my neck. “I haven’t been blowing you off.”
My brother raised one brow. “Really? Last week when I asked if you wanted to grab lunch, what did you say?”
“I was already at lunch with Addie.”
“And the week before that, when I asked if you wanted to drive down to Portland with me to pick up some welding materials, what did you say?”
Sighing, I answered him. “I couldn’t go because Addie and I had plans.”
He nodded. “I get you had a near-death experience, but, dude, I’m your brother. I need my time with you too.”
Braxton laughed. “Now who sounds like the jealous one? Did you forget he was asking her tonight?”
Without looking at Braxton, my brother shot him the finger.
My brother’s face morphed into a wide grin. “Wait, that’s tonight? Hell, I’ve got my days mixed up.”
Braxton turned to me. “You talked to my dad, right?”
If there was one thing I knew, it was that I needed to ask permission from Keegan to marry his daughter. I’d dated her for four years, and I knew how traditional Keegan and Barbara were.
“Of course, I asked him,” I confirmed.
Braxton nodded. “Good, or he might have killed you.”
“Ha-ha,” I said.
“Does she have any idea?” Brody asked.
“I don’t think so.”