Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
He turns his head, but I can’t see his eyes through his blacker-than-black glasses. “I could shut you up.”
His tone is more flirty than threatening, but that can’t be right. Our previous arrangement had rules. No showing affection, no flirting. It was how it had to be because we were worried about getting sloppy at work and accidentally being too comfortable with public affection.
Does being in separate parts of the navy now negate all those old rules? If I leaned in and went for a kiss, would he be up for it?
His lips quirk, but then he turns his attention back to the stage.
Names have begun being read out as graduates take to their walk to get their diplomas.
“Is it weird I’m proud of Brady even though I had nothing to do with his success in college?” I ask.
“Not at all. I’m proud of him too,” Kit says with affection in his tone.
When Peyton Miller’s name is called out—Brady’s brother—the entire crowd goes wild. Yet, when Brady’s name is called out, it’s only a group of people who stand and cheer. Sure, it’s a big group of people, but not every single person in the damn stadium.
“Do you think that’s why Brady never told us who he was?” I ask. “The reaction to his brother compared to him?” In the group of people cheering, I spot the NFL legends that are Brady’s fathers.
“Probably, but question. If all of those people over there are here for Brady, how are we going to lure him away from them?”
“Ooh, I could create a diversion while you kidnap him.”
“Or we could text him and give him the heads-up.” Kit takes out his phone and types away.
“Sure. Be efficient and boring. You don’t even know how I was planning to create a diversion. I’m in uniform. I could be all, ‘There’s a threat to National Security, and you all need to get out of here,’ and then you could swoop in and—”
His phone dings, and he chuckles at Brady’s response.
I glance over his shoulder and read: You really think I didn’t see Prescott’s entrance? My man in uniform radar went off. Stay where you are, and I’ll sneak away when this is done. Good thing about graduating with my brother is the attention can be split between us.
“Seriously, you need a shower.” Kit shoves me away from him.
“I know. It was either go home and shower and miss this completely or be here for Brady.”
Kit gives me one of his warm smiles. “It’s cute you care about him.”
More than I should, I think. “He’s different. Don’t ask me why.”
“I think it’s his confidence. Being with us wasn’t a matter of doing wild shit in college. He was there because he liked us.”
“Well, everyone likes me, so you must have been the problem with the others we’ve hooked up with.”
“Tell me, was it your humble side everyone liked so much?”
“That and my dick.”
“Of course.”
The ceremony comes to an end with the traditional cap throwing, and almost immediately, the graduates disperse to find their family and friends in the crowd. There’s so much purple everywhere I lose sight of Brady within a couple of seconds, but then he appears, weaving his way between groups of people while stripping out of his gown.
He’s damn near glowing under the California sun. When he reaches us, he holds his arms wide and hugs us both but then steps back. A lot. There’s a good six feet between us.
“I can’t believe you’re here. Both of you. It’s good to see you.”
“If you’re wondering what that bad smell is, it’s Prescott,” Kit says.
“Hey, I literally had to run here from the airport.”
“How long are you here for?”
“I just got home, so it should be another year to eighteen months before I’m shipped out again,” I say.
“I leave tomorrow,” Kit says. “When Prescott texted and said he might be able to make it back in time to surprise you, I knew I had to make it. Even if I couldn’t get any time off.”
Brady turns back toward the crowd, looking in the direction of his family. “So, like, everyone in my huge extended family came out for this. I need to spend some time with them.”
“We understand,” Kit says.
I fold my arms. “I told you we should have kidnapped him.”
“I guess that also means you know who my family is now.” He stares down at his feet.
Kit and I look at each other. Time to let the cat out of the bag.
“Brady, we’ve always known,” I say. “You don’t think we looked you up after the first time we took you home?”
He doesn’t lift his head, just continues to stare at his feet. “Oh. Let me guess, you want an autograph?”
“Nope. Have no desire to walk up to your dad and say, ‘Hey, I’m a big fan. So big I fucked your baby boy.’ I like my face, thank you very much.”