Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“What are you talking about?” Cooper says, watching me. “I called your name four times.” I slip the jacket on, placing the phone in the inside pocket. “I thought I heard Celine Dion singing ‘All by Myself’ as I got closer and I could swear I thought you were crying.”
The chuckle comes from me, even if I don’t want it. “I was not crying. I was focused on something.”
“I know, at one point I thought you were watching porn and taking care of yourself.” I look over at him with my mouth open. “Now, that would have been weirder than you crying. Can you imagine me calling Dad and being like ‘Hey, so I caught Chase whacking the mole in the parking garage.’” He motions with his hand in front of his pants and if I had my phone out, I would have snapped a picture and sent it to the family group chat. “I should have had him on FaceTime.” He puts his hands on his hips and looks up at the sky, as if he missed his big opportunity. “Dammit.”
“Aren’t you going to be late for the game?” I ask him, knowing he’s always the first one who shows up.
“I’ve got loads of time to spare.” He puts his hands in his pockets. “What’s up with you?”
My heart speeds up with that question. “What do you mean?”
“You are out of it. I mean, more so than regularly. You haven’t started that plant diet again, have you?”
I shake my head, laughing as we walk toward the arena. “It’s called plant based and it’s healthy.”
“You were grouchier than normal,” Cooper declares. “You didn’t even try to get naked once on the beach during that time.” I open the door and all I can do is put my head back and my laughter fills the garage. “I’m not kidding, imagine not having your brother’s dick and balls swinging.” He slaps me on the back. “It was magical.” I put my hand to my stomach laughing. “Even the kids wondered if you were sick.”
The door opens and we stop walking to look back and see Michael and Dylan coming in. “What happened to you?” Dylan asks.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” I ask them. Okay, fine, I feel a little bit out of sorts, but I was blaming it on the fact I didn’t sleep. Even though my head knew that wasn’t the case.
“You look like someone kicked your dog,” Michael observes, “and then came back and kicked you in the nuts for good measure.”
“Oh my God,” Dylan says from beside him, laughing and then stops abruptly. “Jesus, you aren’t on one of those diets, are you?”
“Goodbye,” I say, walking away from them. Even though I want to pull Michael aside and ask him if Jillian is coming, but it’s going to come out of left field since I’ve never, ever asked him that in my life.
I walk toward my office, the phone rings in my pocket and I’m not even going to lie, I stumble to get it. Never have I wanted my phone to ring in my life. My heart speeds up a touch when I look down and see it’s not who I want it to be. The number is not even stored in my phone, but I answer it anyway and the automated person on the other line wants to sell me an extended warranty for my car.
I hang up the phone and take off my suit jacket because it feels like it is strangling me. I hang the jacket on the hook by the door when I look up and Nico walks in. He smiles at me. “If the team ever gives in and does a calendar for charity, we are putting you on the cover.” I can’t help but laugh.
“Over Cooper or Wilson?” I say. “Michael and Dylan?” I ask him. “Let’s not forget Tristan, who people are calling ‘the rookie bachelor of the year.’”
He laughs. “You going to sit in the box with Tristan tonight?”
“I wasn’t going to.” I tilt my head to the side. “Should I?”
“I think it would help.” He looks at me and then looks around to make sure no one else is around. “The news hit him pretty hard that he couldn’t play tonight.”
“He’ll be fine in a couple of weeks,” I say and he shrugs.
“Young kids never like being told no.” He laughs. “Trust me. I have kids. They changed something in my iPhone that switched no to yes.” I roll my lips to stop from laughing. “I didn’t even know you could do that. Took me five minutes on YouTube watching instructions to change it back.”
“I’ll go sit with him,” I assure him, also knowing that going into the box I might get a glimpse of Julia if she is here.