Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Not to mention, Canaan loved the contact from him. The texts were mainly to-the-point things like about remembering sunscreen and a hat or which of them should pick up a case of water, but the ones that veered into asking how the tire store went or debating the best places to stop for road trip snacks made Canaan feel almost like this was real. Renzo was already the best fake boyfriend ever, and they hadn’t even gotten started yet.
“I put coffee on. Think you can bring him in? I’m sure I can rustle up a spare travel mug for your friend.”
“Grandpa,” Canaan groaned. “I’m twenty-six. You don’t need to meet my...people.”
“I don’t need to meet your friend. I want to.” Grandpa settled himself in his favorite chair. “And I’m not too sure about this...thing you have going for sailors.”
“It’s not a thing.”
“You have to remember that these men, SEALs especially, are already married to the navy. And I’m not sure you want the navy life long-term.”
“I’m not looking for long-term.” No way was he explaining to his grandpa that his thing for navy guys was all about banging and not so much on the happily ever after. Guys like him didn’t get happily ever afters, at least not yet. He essentially still lived at home, worked a crap job, and was struggling through school at an age when most people were graduated and on with their lives. Maybe things would be different in a few years, maybe the shitty luck he’d had with Damian would prove a fluke, but right now there was no sense in betting on forever.
“You could. And anyway, yes, I’d like to meet your friend.”
“We’ll see.” Canaan softened his tone. He was damn lucky to have a grandfather who took such an interest in his life, and he knew it. And ever since Grandma passed, he worried constantly about his grandfather’s health—he’d had some scary heart stuff a few years back and Canaan wasn’t about to lose him too. “And are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Hey, I’ve got my wheels, don’t I? Might head to a casino, have some real fun.”
“Grandpa...”
“Your friend is here.” Grandpa gestured at the driveway, and Canaan rushed out to greet Renzo, who was getting out of the truck.
“Hey.” Damn. A few days and he’d forgotten just how hot Renzo was. Especially in faded jeans and a close-fitting T-shirt with an energy drink slogan on it. He wished they were hugging friends so he could see if Renzo smelled as good as he looked. Wait. He’d have reason to touch him all weekend long. Yeah. This was gonna be good.
“You ready?” Renzo stretched, all his muscles rippling, and Canaan almost forgot what he was supposed to be asking.
“Yeah, I am. But...um...my grandpa made coffee. Do you want some for the road? He’d kinda like to meet you, but feel free to say no.” He kicked at a stray dirt clump on the driveway.
“Sure thing.” Renzo gave an easy shrug.
“You’re up for that?” Canaan had totally not been expecting that reaction.
“Yeah, no problem.” Renzo headed for the little sidewalk that led to the front door. “I’m supposed to be the boyfriend this weekend, right? A real boyfriend wouldn’t have an issue meeting the folks.”
“Oh, how wrong you’d be about that,” Canaan muttered as he followed, trying to stop his heart from the eager rhythm it had started. “You ever been the boyfriend before? For reals I mean?”
“I’m a fast learner.” Renzo gave him a cheeky smile that brought out all his dimples as he followed Canaan into the house. Grandpa got out of his chair to greet them.
“Renzo, this is my grandfather, Frank Finley.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Finley.” Renzo extended his hand.
“Canaan says you’re in the navy?” Grandpa sounded several shades less suspicious than he’d been earlier. Renzo’s deferential demeanor undoubtedly had something to do with that.
“Yes, sir. Petty Officer First Class. I’m a SEAL. You ever serve yourself, sir?”
“Vietnam. I was about to be drafted, so I went navy first. Did my time on the Constellation in the engine room. Settled here after with a pretty little local girl I met when we were in port.”
“Legendary ship.” Renzo nodded. Canaan had never expected to meet someone better than Damian with older adults, but Renzo easily had him beat. “Good rate too. I was going to go machinist if I didn’t pass the BUD/S training for SEALs.”
“You special forces men see a lot of deployments recently?”
“Yes, sir.” Renzo sounded more than a little proud of this fact. “They keep us busy. Love it.”
Grandpa shot Canaan a pointed look before returning his attention to Renzo. “Mmm-hmm. Coffee’s hot.”
He led the way into the kitchen where Grandpa had already laid out travel mugs for the two of them. Sizing up Renzo, Grandpa nodded at him. “Black?”