Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
When we got close to the house, I motioned my head forward and announced, “It’s just up ahead.”
Cricket leaned forward and looked at all the houses on the block. They were far from fancy. The neighborhood was filled with mostly working-class folks who minded their own. It was one of the things I liked most about the area. It was far enough from the busy streets that it was quiet, but it was still close enough to the clubhouse that I could get there fast if anything went sideways.
My house was one of the larger on the block. It was a three-bedroom with a small front porch and decent-sized back yard. Most of the homes in the area were kept up, but they were older and in need of some TLC, especially mine. I’d done some remodeling and painting, and while it looked a hell of a lot better, it could still use some work. I parked out front and killed the engine. “Here we are. Home sweet home.”
“It’s nice.”
“Come on and check it out.”
Cricket nodded, then opened the door, and Toby stayed glued to her side as she started up to the porch. I grabbed a couple of their bags and met them at the front door. I unlocked it and pushed it open, motioning for them to go inside. “Make yourselves at home.”
Cricket’s eyes were wide with curiosity as she stepped across the threshold. Her eyes darted around the room like she was casing the place, and Toby was right there by her side, taking it all in. I dropped the bags near the hallway and gave them a quick tour.
“It’s not much. The living room’s in here.” I gestured to the couch, TV, and coffee table. “Kitchen’s through there. You can help yourselves to whatever’s in the fridge.”
I led them down the hall, showing them the bathroom and the first guest bedroom. “It’s up to you guys, but I figured Toby could stay in here. It’s right across from the bathroom, and it’s closest to the kitchen for those late-night snacks.”
Toby looked around for a minute, then glanced up at his mother. “I get my own room?”
“You sure do.” Cricket pointed to the back of the room. “And look, you’ve got your own walk-in closet.”
“Cool.”
Toby walked over and collapsed on the bed, quickly kicking off his shoes. Seeing that he was content, I looked over to Cricket and said, “Your room is just down the hall.”
She nodded and followed me down to her room. As I opened the door, I told her, “You’ve got a walk-in closet, too, and it has its own bathroom. There’s also a lock on the door if you need it.”
“This is amazing, Sutton. It’s even better than I imagined.”
Her eyes met mine for a second, then dropped to the floor. She mumbled a quiet “thank you” and stepped inside the room, silently running her fingers over the edges of each piece of furniture like she was making sure they were real. I could see that she needed some time to settle in, so I stepped out into the hall and said, “I’ll go grab the rest of your things.”
She was still looking around the room when I headed back out to the truck. I started gathering the various boxes and brought them into the garage. I’d just started stacking them in the corner when I heard the rumble of Goose’s bike pulling up in the drive. I glanced back as he parked and swaggered over, that usual cocky grin plastered on his face.
“Hey, brother. What’s going on?”
“Nothing much. Just moving the last of this stuff.” I lowered the last box on the stack as I told him, “Cricket and Toby are inside. They’re checking things over and settling in.”
“I can’t believe it. I mean, I knew you were thinking about doing this, but I didn’t think you’d actually do it.” Goose glanced around at all the boxes. “Hell, you’re gonna be a regular Mr. Susie Homemaker.”
I didn’t bite.
I just nodded and kept moving. “Yeah, whatever.”
Goose helped me grab the last of the luggage and followed me inside. We’d barely gotten through the front door when Cricket appeared with a smile on her face. She reached over and took the larger bag from my hand, leaving me with a few of the small bags and a box. “I was hoping you were getting those.”
“I think this is the last of it.” I dropped the other bags on the counter. “I left the boxes in the garage. I figured we could get to those tomorrow.”
“Okay. That sounds good.”
When she started down the hall with her bag, Goose stepped forward and asked, “You need a hand with that?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got it.”
Once she was out of earshot, Goose leaned over to me and asked, “You really gonna leave them tonight?”