Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 97767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“True,” I admit, leaning back and crossing my arms. “I seriously couldn’t care less what we watch. I just want to be here with you.”
She looks at me then, really looks at me, and something shifts in her expression. The tenderness in her eyes is enough to make my chest tighten, and for a brief moment, I forget about the game, the travel, and even the dog’s continued silent loathing.
“Okay,” she says, her voice quiet but steady. “Let’s order food.”
And just like that, the world feels a little bit lighter.
“What are you in the mood for?” I ask, pulling out my phone to scroll through the delivery apps. “Pizza? Thai? Or do we just go all in and order burgers with fries and milkshakes?”
Silently, I apologize to my nutritionist for pre-smelling like bacon burger, tapping away at my screen while Austin continues to stroke Gio’s naked body.
“Burgers sound good,” she says. “Can we get sweet potato fries?”
“On it,” I reply, pulling up the menu for our favorite burger place.
“Oh. And extra pickles,” she says, giving me a playful nudge with her foot. “And lots of secret sauce packets.”
“Got it.”
After placing the order, I set the phone down on the coffee table and lean back into the couch. “Food’s on the way.” I sigh, looking forward to our late night snack. “Have you seen Nova lately?”
Austin’s face lights up at the mention of my sister. “I ran into her at the coffee shop yesterday. She was bitching about the date she was on Tuesday night.”
“Sounds about right,” I say, grinning.
Austin’s eyes widen. “Did she tell you he spent half the night talking about his ‘crypto empire.’ I thought she was going to lose it.”
“She told me the same thing. I have no idea why she’s going to dinner with these dudes.” I shake my head. “Apparently, he called her ‘babe’ within five minutes of sitting down. Who does that?”
“It’s called Love Bombing and it’s a thing,” Austin informs me, fingers plucking at the tufts on Gio’s head.
I frown, shaking my head. “So basically, it’s manipulation with extra steps?”
“Pretty much,” she says, nodding. “Classic red flag behavior. Nova probably realized that right after he called her ‘babe.’”
“She did,” I say, chuckling. “She told me she almost walked out when he tried signing her up for his multi-level marketing scheme.”
“People are still signing up for those?”
Dang.
Austin’s laugh is warm and soft, her shoulders shaking just enough to make Gio lift his head and glare at me for disrupting his peace.
Austin nods. “I don’t think Nova falls for it because she’s naive. I think she’s just looking for someone to love her.”
That hits me square in the chest. I sit there, processing her words as Gio shifts on Austin’s lap, curling into a ball. “Yeah,” I say finally, my voice quieter now. “I know.”
“She told me a little about that,” Austin says gently. “How hard it’s been since your mom passed. How it feels like she’s been trying to fill a void.”
I glance away, my jaw tightening. “She doesn’t talk to me about that stuff. She just jokes around, acts like she’s fine.”
“She doesn’t want to worry you. You’re busy and she looks up to you even though you’re the same age,” Austin says softly, her fingers still stroking Gio. “But she’s trying, Gio. She’s putting herself out there, even if she picks the wrong guys sometimes. She just... wants to feel wanted.”
The knot in my chest tightens. “I hate that she feels like she has to do that. Like she has to chase after these idiots who don’t deserve her.”
“I think she’ll figure it out,” Austin says, her voice steady. “She’s smart. She’s just learning what she deserves—and that takes time.”
“She’s been through enough already. I just want her to be happy.”
Austin smiles at me, a warm, understanding look that makes me feel like I’m doing at least one thing right. For a moment, we sit there in the quiet, the weight of the conversation settling around us.
“Next time she goes on a date,” Austin snorts. “Maybe we should double-team it,” she says with a grin. “I’ll vet him, and you can glare at him from across the room.”
That is a great fucking idea. “I love it. In fact, we should take her phone and do the swiping for her.”
Austin bursts out laughing, shaking her head. “You think Nova’s going to hand over her phone and let us play matchmaker? You’re bonkers.”
“No seriously. This is an amazing idea…”
“I have a question,” she says. “Why haven’t you ever set Nova up with one of your teammates? There are so many single guys on your team.”
I groan. “Now you sound like her.”
Austin’s eyes widen with delight. “Wait, she’s actually asked you to set her up with one of your teammates?”
“Teammates. Assistant coaches…” I admit, shaking my head humorously. “‘Gio, aren’t there any decent single guys on your team?’”