Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“You should do one. I’ve listened to some of the ones you’ve guested on, and you always do well.” Del was dipping fries in house-made ranch, and Spencer was trying not to cringe at that combo.
They hadn’t been lying about the food being good—the onion rings, something he hadn’t eaten in maybe a decade, were perfection with a crispy batter, and the burger was thick and juicy with an amazing sauce. Del talked him into trying a milkshake full of real strawberries. Del, as usual, managed to pack away his own food as well as extras from his mom and Spencer.
“Got a long run tomorrow. I’ll burn it all off.” Del patted his nonexistent gut as they finished. And damn, he looked even more edible than the milkshake in that khaki dress uniform.
There was a brief tussle over the check with all three of them making a play for it. Spencer, however, had more experience being fast with his credit card than either of them.
“Do you want to come along while I take Mom home?” Del asked.
“Sure.” Spencer tried not to sound like he was desperate to get Del alone even though he totally was. He continued his role of trying to get Del’s mother talking while they drove to Chula Vista. She seemed happy enough to answer his questions, but she was reserved, hard to get a read on, a problem Spencer didn’t usually have with interview subjects. Usually, he was good at putting people at ease and reading their cues, but he was all kinds of off right then.
When they arrived at the small two-story apartment complex, they all got out of the truck—Spencer to move to the front seat, and Del to hover over his mother.
“You want me to walk you up?” he asked her.
“No, Junior. You and your friend are probably eager for time to talk, just the two of you.”
Del laughed. “Spencer’s the person I told you about—the one who broke up with me a few weeks ago.” He delivered this news matter-of-factly, and Spencer had to fight the urge to ask him what the hell he was getting at, telling her that.
“Oh.” His mother’s mouth formed a perfect circle. “I thought I had a feeling...”
“Figured you might.” Del hugged her. “He wants to win me back, but I told him he has to impress you first. How’d he do?”
Way to put the woman on the spot, Del, he tried to say with his eyes. And he was far more nervous about her response than he had any right to be.
“You call Junior Del,” she said instead of giving a direct answer. “Why is that?”
“Because that’s who he is to me. I like having something special to call him. He’s special to me.” Since Del had said no L-word talk, he left it at that.
“He is special,” she agreed. “I’m not the type to lecture. But just...take care of him? Okay?”
“I’d like to try.” Every ounce of Spencer’s longing came out in his words, and at last, she smiled. Del, infuriatingly, said nothing, and his expression remained unreadable.
“Good.” She had a big hug for Del and a shrewd look for him before walking away.
Del waited until they saw her unlock her second-floor unit before speaking. “What lot did you park at back on base?”
“What? That’s it? You’re just going to take me back to my car?”
“Chill, Spencer. I am one hundred percent capable of talking and driving at the same time. And it’s been a hell of a long day for me.”
“I’m sure.” Spencer softened his tone. “We could go to my hotel, let you rest...”
“We both know if I come up to your room, we’re fucking.” Del’s voice was firm as he pulled out of his mother’s parking lot. “And I’m still not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Because you’re still mad? I’m so, so sorry I hurt you, Del. That wasn’t my intention—”
“Yeah, it kind of was.” Del drummed his fingers against the steering wheel at a red light. “You intended to choose your story over me. Over us. And I’m more than a little worried about the next time you decide a story’s more important than what we have together.”
“It’s not going to happen. I told you. I’m giving up the book. I want us to be together. I want to put us first from here on out.”
“Yeah, well, I’m working on believing you about putting us first. And as for the other, I don’t think you should give up the book for me. That’s a recipe for resentment right there.”
“I’m not going to resent you. I couldn’t.” His voice shook as Del took the on ramp for Highway 75 faster than he was ready for. The sun was setting over the San Diego bay, and the scenery should have relaxed him, but he couldn’t let go of the tension coursing through him. This was too important.