Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“Pushing in what way?” Macklin asked.
“Preparations for spring, mostly.” No matter how tired he was, Archie clearly loved whatever spring meant for him too. His blue eyes lit up a bit. “We’re almost done with the planting beds, and two hens are hatching soon—”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s—that’s great,” Macklin said. “But is this a temporary thing, or is he just piling more chores on you?”
Archie knitted his brows together. “What do you mean? Of course I’m taking on more chores permanently. I didn’t start out doing everything—we’re easing into things.”
I cocked my head, and I couldn’t help but ask, “Have you told him you’re tired?”
“That.” Macklin pointed at me. “Because I’ve known Greer almost ten years, and he wouldn’t exhaust you for no reason. He would, however, push you to be more honest if he feels you’re not communicating properly. Are you taking on those extra chores with a smile on your face?”
Judging by the look on Archie’s face, something was dawning on him. Doubt, realization, more doubt, then resignation flitted by in his expression, until he palmed his face and groaned.
Macklin chuckled. “He knows you’re fucking spent, Arch. But he’s gonna keep adding shit to your plate till you do what you’re supposed to—which is tell him.”
Yup, always tell the Owners. I’d learned that much! It was possible I told Daddy and Master too much, ’cause I often rambled in the car about everything and nothing, though they seemed to like it.
Archie blew out a breath. “I should go call him.” He checked his watch.
“Did you drive here?” Macklin wondered.
Archie shook his head. “I came in with Master this morning—with Kyla. He told me to—” He snorted and rolled his eyes. “Now I can see it. Some of the tasks he’s given me are so unlike him. He told me to clean Corey’s place, which I only do when the kids have been there. Otherwise, Corey and Sloan make sure it’s presentable.”
And I thought Daddy’s house was far away. No wonder Greer and his family were keeping Corey’s condo in town, because Winchester, where their farm was…? It was a solid ninety-minute drive.
“Or maybe I should wait.” Archie hesitated. “Master’s had a long day. I bet he’s napping with Kyla at Corey’s. I don’t want to wake him—”
“That’s exactly what you’re gonna do,” Macklin told him. “Trust me, it’s one of the toughest things to learn as a slave, but there are times when you gotta put yourself before him, and that time is now. And I bet my restaurant he’ll agree with me.”
“I’ll bet Macklin’s restaurant also,” I interjected. I was very confident in this matter because I’d read so many entries online from our founding members, and it was all about how the Owner’s desires went before the sub’s, but the sub’s needs came before the Owner’s. So, yeah.
“Oh, you do, huh?” Macklin chuckled and threw an arm around my shoulders. I smiled impishly and nodded, to which he turned back to Archie. “There you have it. You go call Greer—ask him to come pick you up earlier—”
“Whoa, what?” Archie protested. “I’m not leaving you—”
“Why not?” Macklin shrugged. “I have a new assistant right here.”
Uh-oh! That was me! I just had to talk to Cam first and make sure he was okay with it.
CHAPTER 12
Santiago Jones
As entertaining as it had been to watch Gael on camera, it had nothing on this. About two weeks had passed since I’d first introduced myself to him, and I remembered him needing the frigid cold from outside to keep from becoming too overwhelmed. He’d needed to freeze, shiver, and shake in order to process what I was telling him. He’d stammered and blushed and hesitated.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and traces of Gael’s timidity obviously lingered. It’d be weird if they didn’t; two weeks was nothing. Besides, I loved that blush—and every shy grin. But watching him now at the bar with Tate and Cam revealed the boy he’d been before Caleb. He was carefree and chatty, reveling in his budding friendships, and he looked at Tate as if he were the older, cooler boy at school. Not unlike how Gael observed Shay and Macklin.
One by one, the subs had left with two containers of pasta, with over-the-shoulder goodbyes about when to meet up next time, see you on Thursday, I’ll DM you online, see you at the Academy event, and so on. And now, Gael was one of them. He was making plans with people.
For this, I had zero issues staying in the background. It made me so fucking happy to watch him thrive.
Dean and I kept Gael’s two food containers on our table. We’d promised not to open them.
Macklin had offered us a table in one of the dining rooms after the class, but we were very content right here. The bar offered lounge furniture instead, rock music, the cheese plate was incredible, and the wine was nearby. Dean had offered to drive, so this guy was on his fourth glass of red.