Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“I do.” I placed my boots by the door and removed my beanie too. “Do you remember what I taught you in German?”
He stood straighter and spoke as he crammed the first triangle of cheese into his mouth. “Funf Minuten something-something Deutschen Pünktlichkeit!”
I let out a laugh. Close enough.
“You’d do well to remember that one,” I said. “You’ll need punctuality in your future field.”
He smiled like a dope. “I’m always punctual. Besides, I’m not sure five minutes are enough. Dad taught me fifteen minutes early is on time.”
Of course he had. Chris and I had been taught the same thing.
“Touché.”
I was supposed to be staring into the fire and relaxing my mind after a perfect dinner.
Instead, I watched Kayden on his knees in front of the coffee table, where he was busy organizing the lists he’d written. He had been the family list-maker for as long as he’d been with us, and I was sure he missed his own notepads. He had lists for his move, for clothes he’d need for his training, utility vehicles he liked, songs he preferred to work out to…
“What’s the list in the upper left corner for?” I asked.
He didn’t miss a beat, even though he was busy studying two other pages. “Websites and books. I need to become a GPS system, and I’m wondering if there’s a site where you can stay up-to-date on roadwork and stuff in DC.”
I smiled to myself and scooted lower in my seat.
Fuck, how I wished we’d known about his dreams earlier. It was so easy to see how Kayden burned for this.
“Have you ever had a job in logistics before?” I wondered.
He made a face and shrugged a little. “Nothing like this, but…I guess, kinda. I’ve worked at distribution facilities and stuff. I actually liked the last place. One of the few bosses who liked me—he put me in charge of coordinating deliveries.”
That only raised more questions.
“What makes you think your bosses haven’t liked you?” I mean, he was the most likable boy I knew.
He looked at me and lifted his eyebrows. “Because they tend to let workers know, Wade. I’m always told I’m too inquisitive and argumentative. But it’s not my fault they’re doing it all wrong.”
That made me laugh, and it felt incredible. He had confidence, for once, which was wonderful to see.
He grinned a little and glanced over his shoulder. “It doesn’t seem as windy anymore.”
No, the worst of it had died down. “Now we just need to wait out the snowstorm.”
He looked back at me and seemed to hesitate for a second. “Can we go home soon? I wanna see Dad and Chris when he gets back. And Yaya.”
Well, that was a sobering thought—and not a very pleasant one either. Because I was enjoying our alone time way too much, but of course he wanted to get back now that he had plans.
“I swear I’m not gonna run away,” he teased.
I managed to pull off a smile. “Of course we can. I’ve accomplished my goal with this little field trip.”
His own smile turned soft. “You don’t know how grateful I am, Sir. I feel so…hopeful now. I’m excited. I’m gonna work super hard.”
I had no doubt.
“We’ll go when Quin gives the word,” I decided. “It shouldn’t be more than a day or two.”
His relief was clear as day. “Any updates, by the way?”
“Not in the last four hours.” I checked my watch, surprised to see it was so late. “Make that six.” Jesus. I’d literally sat here and watched him work on his lists for almost three hours. “I’ll probably get another text around midnight.”
It was only half an hour till then, so we should get ready for bed.
Some distance would do me good. Unless he got afraid out here again, and…
“May, um—may I bunk with you tonight too, Sir?”
Yes. Absolutely not. Of course you can. Please don’t.
“You never have to ask, blue.”
I was going to hell.
I sat on the edge of the bed and reread Quinlan’s message, and part of me wanted to tell him about the progress we’d made up here. But his mind was understandably preoccupied with Chris’s assignment.
I’d wait.
The important thing was, Chris and the Beckett brothers were safe. Everything was going according to plan.
Kayden soon emerged in the doorway after brushing his teeth, and he was back to wearing only those snug briefs.
He was holding a glass of water too. “I noticed you always have a drink of water before bed.” He came over and set it on my bedside table.
“Thank you.” The last thing I needed was him anticipating my needs, goddammit. “I received an update. Everyone is safe.”
He exhaled with relief and went to his side of the bed. “Good. I hope the dickheads coming for Chris die.”
I pulled up a leg and twisted my body so I could look back at him. “Is that how you genuinely feel?”