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)
“Is it Cato?” Brie blurts out. “He’s such a great guy.”
“Nah,” Dante says. “You wouldn’t know this guy.”
He and I share a smirk until Kian steps over to our table.
“We charge double for cops,” Kian teases, laying on his bartender charm. “What can I get you, Sheriff?”
It relieves me that he’s being professional and not putting me on the spot for showing up.
“I’ll have a glass of whatever they’re having. Thanks, Kian.”
Brie launches into a story about her brother Atlas who’s serving in the military. Dante and I nod, half listening while stealing glances and accidental touches. It isn’t until I’m halfway through my glass of wine that I realize I didn’t even notice Kian dropping it off.
Guilt squeezes my heart inside my chest.
For as long as I have pined over Kian, it feels strange to be able to turn that part of me off. Somehow, Dante seems to distract me from those usual thoughts. Maybe, after Dante and I fuck around a bit, I’ll finally be over my unhappiness. Maybe I really am bisexual and once I get this need out of my system, I can get back into the dating game, find a wife, and settle down.
Maybe.
Or, maybe I’ll fall for the hot big city man.
That would be disastrous.
“Brie?” a familiar voice says. “I thought that was you.”
She hops off the stool to hug a guy we went to high school with. Hank Townsend, Ned Townsend’s son. While Brie liked hanging with Hank, he and I only associated through baseball and football. Off the fields, I thought he was a bit of an arrogant dick. Probably why he’s had two failed marriages already. It’s unnerving to see his attention on Brie.
“I thought you hated this place,” she says, frowning at him. “You and Kian never got along back in the day. Did you finally grow up and stop being a dick?”
He smirks, throwing his arm over her shoulders and pulling her to him. “Always so mouthy. Now I remember why we never dated.”
“We never dated because you were a manwhore. How are the kids?” She pulls out of his hold and plops down on her stool.
“Jayden played peewee football this past fall. Jacob started pre-K. They’re both good.” He sighs as he takes a seat beside her, inviting himself to our table. “Eliza babies them too much after the divorce, but I can’t do shit about that.” His gaze lifts to meet Dante’s. “And you are…”
“Dante Kincaid.” He nods and offers his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Hank shoots me a confused look. “Any relation to Callan Kincaid?”
“That’s my brother.” Dante stiffens. “You know him?”
“Hank coaches baseball and also teaches history,” I explain to Dante. “I’m sure the fight was gossip all over the school today.”
“Not to mention,” Hank reveals, “I’m the one who broke it up.”
“Don’t worry,” I assure Hank. “The boys shouldn’t be too much trouble now. We made sure to punish them accordingly.”
“Glad to hear it,” Hank says and then turns his smile on for Brie. “You seeing anyone, Deputy?”
“He really thinks these lines will work,” Brie teases. “Sorry, Hank, but I’m not looking to be the third Mrs. Townsend.”
“You break my heart, woman.”
They begin flirting, which is rather nauseating to watch, so I make eye contact with Dante, lifting a brow in question. He gives me a slight nod that he’s ready.
“Thanks for the wine,” I say to Dante, oddly satisfied that I’m leaving him to pay for it, and then turn to Hank and Brie. “I have an early morning tomorrow, so I’m going to run. It was good seeing you, Hank.”
As I walk away, I feel eyes on me. Kian watches me in that familiar way he does when he’s trying to solve a mystery. I give him a slight wave and then hurry out.
The last thing I need is Kian figuring out that I’m indulging in my secret side with Dante. It feels like a betrayal and I know he’d see it as one. It’s most definitely something that I’ll keep to myself and go to my grave with.
Until the day I have to bury it, I’m going to enjoy every second with Dante Kincaid.
Every damn second.
Dante
I feel like a teenager sneaking into my boyfriend’s bedroom.
Jax better be glad I like his dick. That’s the only reason I’m creeping through the shadows and into his backyard. If his dick was even slightly mediocre, I’d tell him to get lost with his closeted bullshit. I’d snag up a good boy like Kian or Cato and go back to business as usual in bed.
The lights in the garage apartment are on, but the ones inside Jax’s are off. I’m about to text him I’m here when the back door opens. I step inside his warm house and let out a relieved sigh to finally be here.