Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Jax’s shoulders tense and he slowly turns to regard me. I can’t help but roam my eyes over his front, letting them linger at his dick I’d been rubbing just this morning, before finally meeting his stare.
“Sheriff Kincaid. Long time no see,” I say with a smirk.
His jaw clenches and he tears his gaze from me, pinning it on Mr. Hayworth. “Why were they fighting?”
It seems the Kincaids and Bells are good at that sort of thing.
“Callan says Zak called him a fairy,” Mr. Hayworth mutters. “They got into a shoving match before one of the teachers broke it up.” He looks down at his loafers. “This makes it his third offense, though. And Dean said…” He trails off, not finishing his statement.
Jax curses under his breath before turning his anger on his brother. “You seriously screwed up, man. It’s like you forgot who our father is.”
Zak’s shoulders slump and I catch Callan frowning.
“With Callan being a minor,” Mr. Hayworth says in a tight voice, “I couldn’t overlook it as a schoolyard brawl. Zak is eighteen now. It had to be addressed.”
Fuck.
I don’t like where this is headed.
“Boys will be boys,” I say, hoping to take the heat off Zak. Callan’s not as innocent as he looks. There’s more to the story and it’s not right for Zak to take the brunt of it. “I’m sure they’ll move past this and become friends. No one is pressing charges or trying to bring down the law on Zak.”
Jax flashes a grateful smile at me before gesturing for Zak to stand up. “Let’s get you home so you can pack.”
Zak’s eyes water and his chin quivers at his brother’s words. He may be eighteen, but he’s just a kid still. Based on the horrified expression on Callan’s face, he feels like shit for the turn of events.
“To the car,” I bark out at Callan. “We’ll talk about this when we get home.”
He storms out of the office, not bothering to look back at me. I give Mr. Hayworth a nod before following my brother outside to the parking lot. Jax and Zak walk out, side by side, both guys frowning hard.
What did I miss?
“Sheriff,” I call out. “A quick word?”
He squeezes Zak on the shoulder and gestures for him to get in the SUV before walking over to me. “I can’t seem to escape you, can I?”
My first inclination is to tease and flirt with him. To remind him of how his dick doesn’t seem eager to escape. But my brother comes first, and it’s evident his does too.
“Is Zak in some kind of trouble?” I ask, frowning at him.
He scrubs his palm down his face. “He has trouble conforming to Dad’s rigid rules. Dad warned him if he kept it up, he’d be out on his ass.”
As if I needed any more reason to dislike Mayor Bell.
“He’s in high school,” I mutter. “Who kicks their kid out in high school?”
“Apparently Mayor Bell does,” he snaps, bitterness in his tone. “Why do you care?”
“Because, for one, I don’t think he’s one hundred percent at fault here. Callan has been going through some emotional shit since the move. Whether or not he provoked this is to be determined, but I know my brother. He lashes out when he’s upset.” I step closer to Jax, hating how easy he is to look at. “Does Zak have a safe place to go?”
Jax softens at my words, his brown eyes studying me like he doesn’t know what to make of me. “With me. I have a house over by Caper Beach. Zak’s been headed this way for a few months. I’ve been anticipating it, which is why I’ve recently furnished the garage apartment. He’ll be safe. A pain in my ass, but safe.”
“Need any help moving his things?”
Jax snorts. “No.”
“I’m being serious,” I retort with a chuckle. “It might be a fitting punishment for Callan to help the kid whose life he helped upend.”
“That’s kind of cruel, right?” he asks, his brown eyes glimmering.
“Hell yeah. Definitely not the typical parenting way, but Callan has lack of options. I’m it for him. Mean big brother has to lay down the law.” I shrug and flash him a clandestine grin. “Who better than to help me do that than the sheriff of this town.”
“Zak will be mortified.” He smirks. “Fine. Follow us over to Mom and Dad’s.”
“And if we really want to terrorize them, we could have dinner together after.”
I try not to read too much into my suggestion. It’s not a date. I’m helping my brother be a little more responsible for his actions and maybe come out with a friend by the end of it. That’s all.
“Dinner?” Jax eyes me warily. “What’s your play here, Dante?”
“To fuck with our brothers,” I say, holding my hands up in defense. “I promise it’s not some trick to get you into bed with me.”