Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I scramble to the side. My ribs slam into a chair. Oof. I’m too old for this shit.
Somehow, I manage to get an arm through his legs and another arm around his neck and shoulder. We tussle until I get him right where I want him. In one quick burst of motion, I bring him over my shoulder and slam him onto the table.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Mom mumbles.
Banks squirms, sensing his mortality. I pin him to the table with my hand on his throat.
“I’m sorry,” he says, writhing around. “I’m sorry for putting birdseed in your backyard so the birds shit everywhere.”
My jaw clenches. I knew that was him.
“I’m sorry for borrowing your hammer drill and then losing it,” he says, gagging.
You little motherfucker.
I squeeze harder. Tears begin to fill his eyes.
“I’m sorry for … humiliating you … in front of the whole town … and Bianca,” he says, barely able to get the words out.
I grab him with both hands and lift him off the table. He’s clawing at my hands to let go as he lands on his back again.
“You never stop running your mouth,” I say, shaking him. “For once in your life, stop fucking talking.”
Jess and Maddox come in the back door. As soon as they see what’s happening, they start to laugh.
“Looks like we’re late to the party,” Jess says.
If I weren’t busy strangling Banks, I’d tell him that any man walking a chicken has no business laughing at anyone.
“Don’t antagonize them, Jess,” Mom says, sighing. “Are you boys hungry?”
“Help me,” Banks hisses before I increase the pressure again.
“Sure. Do you have ham?” Jess asks.
Maddox picks up Banks’s sandwich from the edge of the table. “I’ll have this one. It looks good.”
Banks continues to flail. Maddox takes a bite of his sandwich and comes closer to investigate.
“I think purple means he can’t breathe,” Maddox says, pointing at our brother.
I ease up enough to fade the purple to a shade of red.
“You’re going to promise me on our mother’s honor—”
“Don’t bring me into this,” Mom says.
“—that you aren’t going to pull this kind of shit anymore,” I say. “You’re going to mind your business. Right? You’ll promise that?”
I stare at him, warning him not to play games with me. Then I ease the pressure around his neck.
Banks hauls in a long, deep breath. Then another.
“Promise me,” I say, repositioning my fingers around him.
He stills. “Okay. I agree. I promise not to hook you up with rich, beautiful women ever again.” He smirks. “Good enough?”
I squeeze until he starts to choke again. He turns his head simultaneously as Dad comes into the room. “Dad!” he says hoarsely. “Help!”
“Oh hell, Foxx. What did he do now?” Dad asks.
Jess strolls up to the table and takes a bite of his sandwich. “Don’t stop them, Dad. This is good entertainment. I got a free meal and a show.”
Dad grins. “So I’m guessing Bianca left?”
Fuck.
I push hard against Banks one final time and then let him go. He wastes no time in rolling off the table and getting to Mom.
Jess smacks his lips. “Bianca is at your house?”
I glare at him. He grins back.
I hate all of them, I think.
“She said she was leaving last night,” Dad says, screwing with me. “I’m guessing that’s why Foxx is a little testy today.”
“As a matter of fact, I came over here with news.” I cross my arms over my chest. I might as well just tell them all at once and be done with it. “I’m getting married.”
Mom drops something. The clanging sound rattles through the room.
My heart begins to pound.
Maddox cocks his head to the side. “Did you just say you’re getting married?”
“Who is getting married?” Moss comes in, stopping in the doorway, confused. “What the hell did I miss in here?”
Jess takes another bite. “Foxx just tried to kill Banks.”
“Oh. That’s fair,” Moss says.
Mom shuffles around the island and stops by Dad. Her eyes are wide.
“Did you just say you’re getting married?” she asks as if she’s afraid to say the words.
“Who?” Moss asks.
“I might’ve missed something because I thought Foxx said he was getting married,” Maddox says. “But that can’t be right.”
I sigh, rolling my eyes. “I’m getting married. You heard right.”
“To whom?” Mom asks.
“If it’s to Bianca, I want an apology!” Banks yells.
I wipe my palms down the front of my jeans. I didn’t expect to be so nervous. I’m not used to feeling this way. It’s … strange.
“I’m marrying Bianca,” I say, warning Banks not to say another word. He holds up his hands. “As soon as possible. I was coming over here to see if you, Mother, could help me figure things out.”
She races across the room and pulls me into a hug. Jess chomps on his sandwich, amused. Moss pours a glass of tea, warning Banks to keep quiet. Maddox picks up a chair and takes a seat.