Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 81584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
“You owe me,” he said, following me back out of the house.
“I’m going to hand out IOUs when we’re finished,” I assured him as he elbowed me. “Thanks for coming over to help.”
“No worries,” he replied with a shrug. “There were so many of us here it went pretty fast.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, pausing halfway down the street.
“Pretty much done, now,” he said with a shrug, moving on without me. “All that’s left is your bed and the couch.”
“No fucking way.” I jogged to catch up. “When the hell did you guys start?”
“Gray, Titus, Cian, and Bas started around noon, I think. Me and Mick got here around two. Everyone else trickled in after that.”
“I feel like such an asshole,” I groaned. “I didn’t know everyone was showing up so early, or I would’ve gotten off early.”
“I think Myla did that on purpose,” Brody said, grinning. “Lou didn’t get home until like fifteen minutes before you. I think My was trying to make things easier for you guys.”
“She’s so annoying when she’s thoughtful,” I complained.
“The worst,” he agreed.
We had to quickly move out of the way the minute we’d reached the porch as Mick and Gray carried out the headboard of my bed, and Bas followed them out carrying the footboard.
“Anything left?” Brody asked.
“Titus is carryin’ the bed rails,” Bas replied as he hefted the footboard higher in his arms. “He’s right behind us. Then just the couch.”
“Holy shit, seriously?”
“You’re welcome,” Bas said with a smile as he carefully stepped down the stairs.
“You’re the best, Bas!”
“I know.”
“This is insane,” I said, watching as Titus carried my bedrails out.
“I draw the line at putting anything away,” Titus teased. He was sweaty but still smiling. “You’re on your own for that.”
“I think that’s fair,” I joked. “I can’t believe you guys moved us.”
“It’s not that big a deal,” Brody said, shoving me toward the doorway once it was clear. “There were like ten of us here for a while. Thanks for having all your shit packed in advance. Helped move things along.”
“That’s why Myla was up my ass about packing.”
“Probably,” Brody agreed.
“I was not up your ass,” Myla argued as we reached the kitchen. “But you always procrastinate.”
“Hey, man,” I argued. “It works for me.”
“Well, aren’t you glad you listened to me for once?” she asked cheekily.
“Can you believe this shit?” I asked Lou as I pulled Myla into a hug. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“You’re welcome,” Myla whispered back.
“I’m just grateful that I repacked my suitcase last night, and my underwear wasn’t hanging out all over the room when they came in,” Lou joked. “That could’ve been embarrassing.”
“Yeah, because you’re so messy.”
“I feel like I won the lottery,” Lou said, grinning. “I moved two boxes. That’s it.”
“We owe them,” I said, glancing toward the living room.
“You can pay us back for the pizza and beer,” Myla said easily. “That’s all they asked for.”
“I paid for the pizza and beer,” Cian countered. “And neither of you are paying me back.”
“I think we can afford pizza and beer,” I argued.
“Still not takin’ your money.”
“We’ll see,” I mumbled as I dropped into a kitchen chair.
“Oh, I threw your bedding in the wash this morning,” Myla said, setting a beer in front of me. “It’s in a garbage bag in your new closet.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but it’s nice to climb into clean sheets. You guys won’t have your washer and dryer for a few more days, right?”
“It’s being delivered on Tues—shit.” I squeezed my eyes closed in frustration. I’d just told Scott I was free that day.
“That’s only four days away,” Lou reminded me. “I think we can make it four days.”
“I know.” Lifting the beer to my lips, I took a long pull. “But I completely forgot they were getting here on Tuesday, and I made other plans.”
“What other plans?” Myla asked curiously.
“A date.”
“With who?”
“A guy from work.”
Lou wrinkled her nose. “Who? I think I’ve met everyone you work with.”
“Not Scott.”
“Who’s Scott?”
“Ooh, Scott,” Brody sang, stuffing a huge bite of pizza in his mouth.
“He usually doesn’t work in my office.” I waved them off. It wasn’t important. I was going to have to cancel. The prospect didn’t bother me much.
“I can make sure I’m home,” Lou said easily.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“What are we talking about?” Titus asked, wiping at his face as he entered the kitchen, Mick and Gray behind him.
“Frankie’s double booked on Tuesday,” Myla answered, boosting herself onto the counter.
“It’s fine. I can reschedule.”
“Don’t cancel your date,” Lou ordered. “I’ll meet the appliance guys.”
“Date?” Titus asked. “With who?”
“Scott,” Brody sang again.
“None of your business,” I said at the same time.
“Who’s this Scott guy?” Mick asked darkly.
“You don’t know him.”
“They work together,” Lou added.
“Not your best idea,” Mick said with a huff, pushing his way through the group to grab a piece of pizza off the counter. “You’ll still have to see him when you break his little heart.”