Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Her eyes roll and she makes a scoffing sound. “You’re so judgmental, Jax.”
Cato and I exchange a surprised look. She is fucking Hank. And I never thought of myself as judgmental. That’s for the likes of people like my father and Ned Townsend, not me.
“He’s always been kind of a douchebag,” I say slowly, “but if—”
“He’s good to me,” Brie throws back, crossing her arms over her chest. “And Atlas likes him. That should account for something.”
Her brother, Atlas, has only shown his face in town three, maybe four times since he joined the Marines right out of high school. When he does visit, it’s always been brief. I’m pretty sure the last time he saw Hank was when Brie was around twelve. Everyone likes a twelve-year-old kid. Back then, I liked Hank too. It wasn’t until high school that I decided I didn’t like the guy.
“It does, honey,” Cato placates when Brie starts to scowl. “We believe you.”
“If he’s going to date you, then I need to have a sit-down with him and remind him who he answers to if he breaks your heart.” I lift a brow at her, daring her to challenge. “Since Atlas isn’t around, those big brother duties go to me.”
“I’m older than you, dumbass.” She flashes me a triumphant grin. “Remember?”
“By a month, smartass. I’m bigger. Remember?”
“Oh jeez,” Cato complains. “Here we go again. Are you sure you two aren’t related?”
“If we were, that would have made that kiss in the ninth grade really awkward,” Brie says, chuckling.
“You two are freaks.” Cato waves off our comments. “Come out with us tonight. Jax and I are going to Focus to have a few drinks and catch up since he’s been so busy lately. Bring your new boy toy, Hank. We can all hang out and give him a proper interrogation to make sure he’s treating our girl right. It’ll kill two birds with one stone.”
It was tough giving up a night to spend with Dante, but Cato is my best friend and I have been neglecting him lately. Based on the guilty flash in Brie’s eyes, I know she’s thinking the same.
“Fine,” she huffs in resignation. “We’ll go, but you can better believe when one of you starts dating, they are so getting the deputy third degree from me.”
I snigger, imagining her trying to intimidate Dante. She’s already half in love with his charming ass. Hell, so am I.
“What are you over there giggling about, Bell?” she demands, looking every bit the part of fierce cop.
“Nothing, ma’am. Nothing at all.”
I should tell Cato to stop buying me shots, but after the week of hell I’ve had, I pretend it’s only my first shot rather than my fourth. I’m enjoying myself, listening to Cato complain about the cat infestation at the fish market. He claims he’s going to have a talking to Brooks Reyes who owns it, but I know it’s all false bravado. Brooks is big and brutish. Quiet and broody. Not an approachable man at all.
“Have you seen the hottie who plans to build the Wolffish Luxury Condos?” Cato asks, fanning himself. “Super fine. Like he can be my daddy any day of the week.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “I haven’t met him, no. How did you meet him?”
“At the grocery store!” He sips his fruity drink and smiles. “Rhett. Even his name is hot. Anyway, he was tall and sexy. All polished and put together in a big city, fancy kind of way we don’t see around here often.”
Like Dante.
“Sounds like he made quite an impression. Did he ask you out?” The doors open to the bar and Hank walks in with Brie on his arm.
Cato waves them over to us and says, “No. I even had my good pants on.”
“All your pants are the good pants.”
“Right?” Cato preens.
“What are you cheesing about?” Brie teases, leaning in to kiss Cato on the cheek.
“Just explaining to Jax how no one can resist me in any pair of pants because my butt looks that good.” Cato sticks his hand out. “Hi, Brie’s boyfriend.”
Hank laughs, shaking his hand. “Hey, man.”
I also shake hands with Hank, though mine is a bit firmer, laced with warning. Our eyes meet and his fierce expression tells me what I need to know. He likes her and doesn’t want to fuck it up. Good. Brie’s a great girl who deserves someone who’ll treat her right.
Kian walks over to us, bringing Cato and me another round. His stare lingers at my mouth, making me wonder if I have something on it. It’s then I realize I’m smiling. I guess I’ve missed Cato more than I realized.
“Gah, guys, it’s like middle school all over again,” Kian jokes, giving Hank a little wave. “Except Cato. He’s the baby.”
Hank orders drinks for himself and Brie. Everyone is chattering, so when Kian returns, their attention isn’t on us. He bumps my shoulder with his.