Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“And you?” I prodded. I knew perfectly well how happy he was, but I needed to hear it from time to time, especially when I felt bad about taking him away from the house and his friends, although I expected we’d visit a ton.
“I’m more than okay.” Jonas draped an arm around my shoulders, squeezing me close. “Like Eric said about the bedroom painting, it’s time. For all of us. A new chapter.”
“It is.” I let my head fall against him, inhaling the scents of grass, grilled meats, and my Jonas. “John wants to come work on the property tomorrow even though the rest of the crew is taking the day off.”
“I’m glad we can keep him busy.” Jonas exhaled, gaze swiveling to the other party where the football team was horsing around, building a pyramid out of plastic cups. “He’s going to take Scotty leaving super hard.”
“He is.” I made puppy-dog eyes at Jonas. “It’s hard to be away from your best friend.”
“Is your sad tone for John or your upcoming business trip?”
“I’m going to miss you.” I wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing in taking a short-term commentator gig for some of the summer races, but Jonas had been nothing other than super supportive.
“I’m going to miss you as well, but I also know you’re going to do great.”
“And the money isn’t bad. That will help the house project.” I aimed to match his pragmatic tone. Finances had absolutely played a role, but so had Mark O’Shay welcoming me warmly when I came out to him. He and his family had sent Jonas and me a pretty wall hanging as a housewarming gift, and while I doubted every coming out would go as smoothly, so far, people continued to surprise me. Brian. Joey. Mark. Gradually, more people in racing knew, and the world continued to turn.
“It will do you good to be around your racing family.” Jonas patted my knee.
“Huh.” I considered his statement. I appreciated Mark’s support and the support of Brian, Joey, and my former team, but I couldn’t say as I thought of any of them as family. “Work-family, maybe. But this, this right here, this is my family.” I gestured around the party. “Starting with you. I searched and searched for a place where I could fit in, and it turns out it’s right here with you.”
“We do fit.” He shifted so our hips bumped. “And I love you so much, baby.”
“Please don’t kiss.” Wren popped up right as Jonas leaned in. “This party has way too much kissing already.” Wren made a dismissive gesture. “And Jonas needs to go check on Maren. She’s ill.”
“What’s wrong?” Instantly entering nurse mode, Jonas leaped up and followed Wren toward the pop-up canopy with me close behind.
“Maren’s been to the bathroom like ten times. She’s pale, shaky, and refuses to allow me to check her vital signs.”
I also wouldn’t let Wren check my vital signs, but I made a suitably concerned noise as we arrived at the pop-up canopy where Maren was slumped in a lawn chair, dabbing at her face with a wet napkin. Her always pale skin had a whitish-green tinge to it.
“Maren, honey, you okay?” Jonas crouched next to her. “Wren thinks you might be sick.”
“Oh my God, can’t a girl throw up in the bushes around here?” Maren made a dramatic noise as every head in hearing radius swiveled toward us. Eric hurried over, followed by his friend Tate. At least we had no shortage of first responders here.
“So, you are sick!” Wren gave a triumphant cackle.
“No, I’m pregnant.” Maren slumped lower in the chair as a chorus of gasps sounded.
Eric turned decidedly green himself, and no wonder. He was about to be a grandpa before he was forty-five, and I couldn’t wait to be in Mount Hope to see it.