Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Oops. Holding up my hands, I took a literal step back. “I didn’t say that.”
“But you thought it. Loudly.”
“I’m sorry.” I rubbed my graying-by-the-minute temples. “You’re only twenty. I’m trying to wrap my brain around everything, honey. Does Diesel know?”
“Of course.” Another epic eye roll and huffy exhale. “He insisted on going to the clinic with me. He’s kind of excited. It’s cute. He even told his dad.”
Magnus knowing before me was another roundhouse kick to the sternum.
“Is Diesel pressuring you—”
“Dad. Seriously. I’m keeping this baby, and you’re going to have to deal.” With that, Maren strutted into the house, slamming the kitchen door behind her, leaving me to wonder what the hell had just happened to my life?
If I returned to the park, I’d have any number of friends who would be happy to listen to me vent and offer advice. But there was only one place I was headed, and it was probably the last place I should go.
Chapter Three
Magnus
As soon as Eric stomped into The Heist, I had zero doubt what he was there for. Luckily, it was mid-afternoon on a slow day when most of the town was at the park for various parties. We had a few late lunch guests lingering at tables, but the bar area was empty enough to hold all of Eric’s considerable ire.
“We have to talk.”
“About why you’re avoiding me?” I was nothing if not direct. Subtlety had never gotten me anything in life. Which included Eric, for reasons only my libido understood. He was cranky, chronically overscheduled, and had apparently taken a near-instant dislike to me, our great conversation that night in March notwithstanding.
“I’m not avoiding you.” His eyes went all shifty as he clenched his hands. He was a terrible liar. And also hot as hell—tall and lanky with lean muscles, pale skin, and a rugged jawline that vacillated between clean-shaven and fuzzy. He had more hair on his head than me, but it was closely cropped and streaked with silver in a way that only added to his appeal.
“Your housemates come in all the time.” I wasn’t going to let him off the hook so easily, even as I gestured to an empty barstool. “Your ambulance crew was in just last week.”
“I’ve been busy.” Eric pursed his lips and ignored my request to be seated. “And now we have a much bigger problem, as you well know.”
“Yep.” I nodded, pointing again at a barstool. He was likely going to be here a bit, getting all he wanted to say in, and he also looked like he needed a shot in the worst way. “I’m glad Maren finally told you, honestly.”
“Wait.” Eric’s forehead creased. “How long have you known?”
Oops. I undoubtedly shouldn’t have used the word finally, but like subtlety, my tact sometimes got lost in my honesty. “A couple of weeks? Not long.”
“Long enough.” Eric snorted.
“I told her to tell you and get it over with.” I gave up trying to get the man to sit, and instead, I poured him a shot of tequila. He’d appreciated the nuances of reposado last time, but the one I selected this time would do the trick whether he sipped or hammered it.
“You gave my kid advice?” A muscle moved in Eric’s jaw. His protective papa bear routine was going to get old real quick, so I passed him the shot.
“Was I supposed to come tell you myself?” I kept my voice easy but firm. “Because that would have been all kinds of messed up. She and Diesel are twenty. Not fifteen.”
“I hate that they told you first.” At last, Eric slammed the shot, wincing and shuddering in a way that went right to my dick. And since that part of me needed to take a backseat to more pressing matters, I busied myself with wiping the bar as Eric continued, more subdued now. “I always thought Maren and I could talk about anything. Everything.”
“Well, Diesel can’t keep a secret.” I shrugged because I was pretty sure Diesel had been on the phone with me seconds after Maren called him when she’d tested positive at the student health center. “That’s a big part of it. And like you, we’ve always talked about everything openly. As far as you not knowing, she did tell you. That’s a good sign.”
“She was kind of forced into it because she was sick at the graduation party. Who knows when she would have shared otherwise…”
Ouch. I had a better idea now of why Eric was so upset that I’d known before him.
“She wasn’t afraid you’d be angry if that helps. I think she wanted to tell you.” I leaned against the bar, trying to figure out how best to share my read on the situation. “She’s terrified of disappointing you, especially with not returning to college in the fall.”