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)
“Boston? Will you be back for the party on Saturday?”
He laughed. “I see Adelaide told you about it already.”
“She did.”
“Are you okay with having a coed party?”
“Hell yes. The more time I can spend with my girl, the better.”
Brody gagged. “Well, for my sake, I hope Brax comes through with his promise to invite some single women.”
That piqued my interest. “Oh yeah? You looking for a girlfriend, big brother?”
“Hell no. I’m looking to get laid. It’s been too long.”
I looked back at the parking lot even though Adelaide was no longer there. “I heard Jack was back in town, and he was at Sutton’s store the other day.”
He was silent for a few moments. “Yeah, he’s trying to make trouble for Sutton. Don’t repeat this to Addie, but I’ve been trying to get Sutton to put a restraining order on him.”
I had been about to walk back into the building, but at his words I came to a halt.
“What? Why?”
Brody sighed. “Listen, I don’t want to talk about this over the phone right now.”
“Brody, is Sutton in any kind of danger? Because if she is, you can’t ask me to keep that from Addie.”
“I don’t think she is. At least, not at the moment.”
I cursed. “Because that statement makes it all better.”
Chip waved at me from inside, and I sighed as I pulled the door open and went into my office. “I’m not letting this go, Brody.”
Brody groaned. “I didn’t think you would.”
Adelaide
The coed bachelor and bachelorette party-slash shower turned out to be a great idea. Our parents and grandparents were there, along with friends from both sides of the family. It was kind of like a one-and-done party.
Every time I looked over at Brody and Braxton sitting off to the side pouting, it made me giggle. They were not happy they hadn’t gotten their stripper-filled bachelor party.
Gannon tightened the arm he had around me, pulling me against his body. “What are you giggling about to yourself?”
I jerked my head in the direction of Brody and Braxton. They were sitting at a table together, drinking beer.
“Looks like the single women never made it,” Gannon said with a laugh.
Turning to look at him, I asked, “What single women?”
“Oh, I didn’t tell you? Brody told Braxton to invite some single women. Apparently, my brother needs a mindless hookup.”
“So do Sutton and Palmer. My God, those two are grumpy lately. Harlee is the only one who’s acting normal these days.”
“Well, she has Thomas, and I did see them coming from the backroom area a little while ago. They probably got lucky—unlike us. How long do we have to stay here, anyway?”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s only been an hour, Gannon. We can’t leave for another few hours at least.”
He groaned and dropped his head back.
I laughed. “But, I’d be down for sneaking away for some premarital sex.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that, or I’ll have another heart attack.”
My heart felt like it dropped out of my chest at the sound of my father’s voice.
“You sure have a way of walking up at the wrong time, sir,” Gannon said, attempting to hide his smile.
Dad shot him a dirty look and then turned to me. “Is anything wrong with Sutton?”
I glanced at Gannon, then back at my father. “No, why do you ask?”
“She seems…off. Distant, stressed, like she has a lot on her mind.”
I decided to diminish his worry. “Oh, if she seems distant, it’s probably just the big fall sale she has coming up. I overheard her asking Palmer if she might be able to help her and Harlee out at the store. She’s fine, Dad.”
He nodded, but I could still see the worry in his eyes. “I wish she’d find someone. I hope she hasn’t let her asshat ex make her think all men are like him.”
“I don’t think that’s the case at all,” I quickly said.
When he looked directly into my eyes, I knew I was about to lie to my own father. “You’d tell me if something was wrong, though, wouldn’t you?” he asked. “I mean, my health is fine. I can take it if there is something wrong.”
Reaching for his hand, I gave it a squeeze. “Daddy, everything’s okay. I promise you.”
He smiled, then leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, sweet girl. Now, you two go mingle. I can’t believe how many people are here to help celebrate your upcoming wedding.”
Gannon placed his hand on my lower back and guided me away. He leaned down and whispered, “I’m sorry you had to lie to him, but you did the right thing.”
Sighing, I nodded. “I just hate it, though. I haven’t had a chance to even talk to Sutton yet, but I need to make it a priority. Something’s off, Gannon.”
When he didn’t say anything, I turned and looked at him. “Do you know something you’re not telling me?”