Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Shaking my head, I start laying out chicken breasts and seasoning them. Nana used to strip the meat off of a whole chicken for this recipe, but since I don’t have one, I’m going to try it this way. And if Remy questions me, I’m going to stuff one of these raw globs of chicken in his pie hole.
The three of us work together efficiently. The boys discuss their schedule for upcoming fights at The Castle and who they want to entice into their ring of chaos. Which local underground fighter will bring in the heavy bettors. I’m rarely allowed to go there on fight nights, so I only half-listen to their conversation.
“Didn’t Murphy used to fight up there sometimes?” I ask.
“His wife won’t let him anymore,” Remy says.
“Smart woman,” I mutter.
“That’s not true.” Griff elbows my brother. “Molly doesn’t realize you’re kidding.”
“Guys, I really don’t care.” I flip the faucet on with my elbow and scrub the chicken slime off my hands. Why didn’t I find some rubber gloves or something before messing with raw chicken? Yuck. “Just trying to make conversation. What about Jake? Does he still fight up there? Or is he wifed up too?”
“No woman will have his horn-dog ass,” Remy quips. Griff just rolls his eyes. My brother shrugs. “Jake would say the same thing.”
Griff chuckles. “True.”
“You know of any promising young athletes at school?” Remy asks me.
“Pfft.” I snort. “No. Most of the guys in my class would probably pee themselves before the cage door shut behind them. Besides, they’re all too busy playing video games. Actual physical activity might put them into cardiac arrest.”
We continue like that for a while. For once, Remy doesn’t try to shut me out of the conversation. Not that it’s a secret he and Griff spend a lot of nights organizing bare-knuckle cage fights and supervising the spectators who come to bet on the fighters, but they rarely openly talk about it in front of me.
Maybe this is a good sign? That Remy realizes I’m not a little kid that he has to hide stuff from. And that I’m old enough to date his best friend.
Yeah, that last one’s probably a stretch.
The savory aromas of sage and garlic still linger in the air as I clear the last of the dishes from the table a few hours later.
“Thank you, Molly.” Remy catches my hand in one of his. With his free hand, he pats his stomach. “I’d help you but I’m too stuffed to move.” His teasing expression slips. “Nana would be so proud. You nailed her recipe.” He touches his fingertips to his lips and blows a quick kiss.
Happiness streaks through me. “Thanks.”
I can’t help glancing across the table at Griff. His eyes lock with mine. Electricity seems to crackle between us. So many unspoken desires flicker in his eyes.
Remy cocks his head and stares up at me. “You all right?”
“I’m fine.” I sigh as I collect my plate, utensils, and the now empty breadbasket. Griff’s never going to tell Remy about us, is he? Tonight would have been a perfect opportunity. We could have got it out in the open and not have had to hide how we feel.
Griff stands and picks up his plate. “You shouldn’t do the clean up after all that cooking.” He shoots a glare at my brother.
“What?” Remy shrugs. “I helped.”
“Sure you did.” Griff rolls his eyes.
“Can we still do movie night?” I ask. “Something scary?”
“Yeah.” Remy slips his phone out of his pocket and flicks the screen on. “Whatever you want.”
“Nothing with clowns, though.” Griff elbows Remy as he walks past him. “We got our own Bozo right here.”
“Har. Har.” Remy swats at Griff but doesn’t take his eyes off his phone.
Laughing, I carry my stuff into the kitchen and set everything on the counter.
“Thanks,” I whisper to Griff as he sets his plate and utensils next to mine.
“Not a problem.” He touches my shoulder. “Dinner was so good. Thank you.”
A happy warmth spreads from my chest to my cheeks. “You’re welcome. It’s nice to have both of you home for a change.”
Griff starts rinsing the plates. “Yeah, I’m shocked he left the bar early.”
I open the dishwasher and accept a rinsed plate from Griff.
“What do you want to watch?” Griff asks.
“Well, I guess you ruled out It or any other clown movies.”
He chuckles. “I’m surprised you even want to watch one, since you spook so easily.” It’s said with concern, not cruelty, so I don’t bristle.
I stop and straighten, a damp dish still in my hands. “But you’re here to protect me.” Then reality crashes through my fantasies. I can’t exactly toss a blanket over our laps and snuggle against Griff, using his strong body as a shield every time something on screen scares me. Not with Remy sitting right next to us.