Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Well, what the fuck am I supposed to say? I could have called this shit Friday night. Actually, I think I did call this shit Friday night. Do you want me to act surprised for you?”
“Yes,” I tell him. “I would like that.”
Travis rolls his eyes and then says, “Holy shit! You finally got someone to put up with your ass, huh? Poor Hayden.”
I snap my towel at him. He dodges it and laughs. “I’m giving you shit. You know that, right? I’m happy for you. You helped me get my head out of my ass when it came to Gary so…yeah, congrats and all that.”
“That is the shittiest congratulations speech I’ve ever heard in my life.” I pull my shirt over my head. The truth is, I appreciate it. What he said is one hundred percent Travis and his friendship means a lot to me.
“You know I’m not good at stuff like this.”
“Yeah, I know.” We pack our duffle bags. I consider making sure he knows that Hayden and I are just seeing how things go. There were no big declarations or anything—other than the fact that neither of us will be fucking anyone else, and we’re going to be dating. Actually, those are both pretty big declarations.
“You heading to work?” he asks me when we step outside of the gym.
“Yep. You heading to the shop?”
“Yep,” he replies.
“You gonna let me tattoo your boy?” I ask him.
He laughs, the fucker laughs so hard I want to punch him. “Fuck no, I’m not. You’re good, but I like his body the way it is. Unless he really wants it.” Travis winks at me and then starts walking away.
It doesn’t take me long to get to Doc’s.
I get the shop open and he comes in because he can’t handle staying away. He stops by almost every day.
“How you doing, lover boy?” he asks with a grin on his face.
“Lover boy? What’s that about?” Leila asks while still keeping her eye on the tattoo she’s doing.
“Are you guys really going to give me shit because I go for something if I want it? Both of your asses could take a page out of my book. Seize the day and all that.” I begin organizing my workstation as they laugh at me. “Fuck you both very much.”
“I’m giving you shit,” Doc says. “You know I’m proud of you, kid.”
The truth is, I know Doc is proud of me. That means a lot to me. “Thanks, pa,” I tease him, and he walks over and pretends to strangle me. As his hands wrap around my throat, the bell jingles over the door. I look up just as Hayden comes in.
Doc pulls away.
“Hey…I thought I’d stop by and hang out for a little while before I head home and take a nap.”
“Miss me, huh?” I wink at him. Hayden rolls his eyes.
“Yep. I was dying without you.”
“Most people do.” I cock a brow at him. “Wanna piercing?”
Hayden’s eyes look as though they’re going to pop out of his head. “Um…no.”
“Come on. It’s fun. We can do your nipples. They’re a good place to start. Then I can play with them with my tongue, the way I’m hoping you’ll do with mine.”
Hayden doesn’t flinch at my razzing, just walks over and leans against the counter. “I’ll think about it.”
“I love you,” I tease and earn a round of laughter from the crew. “So, you figure out where you’re taking me on our date?”
“Oh, you should play mini golf,” Doc replies.
“What the fuck? Why would we play mini golf?” I ask Doc. Jesus, he’s like a big kid sometimes.
“What? Sounds like a date-ish thing to me.” he shrugs.
“Well, not to me.”
“I’m working something out. I was thinking Wednesday night,” Hayden tells me.
“I’m busy,” I reply.
His head snaps up, his eyes meeting mine. It only takes a split second before I see the glow in his eyes when he realizes I’m giving him shit. “You suck.”
“And I’m good at it, right?”
“On that cue, I think I’ll head out,” Doc says, but Hayden stops him.
“Is everything going okay? I have time if you have anything you need me to look over or have any questions.”
That right there gets me even more wrapped up in him—hearing him try to help someone I care about. Knowing that it’s important to him to be there for Doc, partially because he cares about me, but also just because he likes helping people.
Doc helped me because he’s a good man and that changed my life. It feels good to have someone offer assistance to Doc as well.
“I think I have it all under control,” Doc tells him. “I really appreciate you asking, though.”
“Okay,” Hayden nods and adjusts his glasses. “Don’t hesitate to call if I can help.”
“I won’t.” Doc looks at me and then mouths, I like him as though Hayden isn’t looking right at him.