Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Of course, Brady’s mom cocked her head and looked confused as she continued to smile. “That’s so nice.”
Since it didn’t look like anyone else was going to explain things, I tried. “Um, when the window was stuck open, we were louder than we thought. So he heard a lot about you.”
“And Brady talks to himself.” Gareth decided that was the right moment to be helpful. “So Bates knows all about you.”
“That’s convenient.” She managed not to laugh as she walked Bates over to the couch and sat him between us. She’d done the same thing the few times me, Gareth, and Brady had gotten into fights, so I wasn’t surprised, but for some reason it just made Brady smile wider.
“I am always available to help supervise Walmart visits, and while I don’t have a lot of experience babysitting, I like kids.” Bates was feeling really helpful too.
Brady’s mom patted his knees and sat down in front of us on the coffee table…probably so we couldn’t escape. She was smart like that. “I’m sure that will be helpful when dealing with Brady.”
Brady frowned like he couldn’t decide if he should be offended or not, but Jude rolled his eyes as Bates nodded. “It does. I’m also familiar with littles, and even though I’m not a Daddy, I have no problem with the dynamic he shares with Jude.”
It really was nice to date someone who didn’t think Brady was nuts…well, Jude knew he was nuts but not about the little and wanting a Daddy thing.
“I bet that’s made things a lot easier.” We all got more pats and smiles as she studied us, but when she glanced over to Jude and Brady, I knew things were bound to get interesting. “But it seems to have produced some struggles as well.”
“Yeah, like holding us hostage.” Gareth’s mumbled words got a dramatic huff from Jude and a barely controlled laugh from Bates.
Brady’s mom didn’t let us get distracted, though. “It seems like Jude and Brady are worried about how quickly things are moving between you three.”
I kind of liked how she wasn’t surprised at all three of us dating, and it made me wonder what it would take before she was shocked about something. But I had to remind myself that it wasn’t what I was supposed to be focused on.
Hostage situations were more important than my curiosity.
Bates was good at keeping on track too. He smiled and nodded before glancing between the two of us like he was having so much fun he didn’t know what to do with himself.
It looked kind of dangerous, honestly.
It was his let’s fuck with Jude face.
“I wouldn’t say we’re moving quickly.” Bates shrugged, dialing the smile back and looking confused. “We’ve had a lot of very productive conversations. Gareth especially had questions that Jude wasn’t really comfortable answering, so I stepped in and we got to know each other that way. Family should always be available to answer the hard questions, but sometimes that isn’t possible.”
Oh.
The two nosy drama queens in question both sucked in a breath as Bates neatly tossed them right under the bus without looking guilty at all.
Smart people were amazing.
“Some questions just make people uncomfortable, but you’re such a wonderful mother I know that wouldn’t be a problem for you.” Bates smiled sweetly and even reached out to squeeze her hand. “Around Christmas, I heard Brady talking about how wonderful you were to check up on him and Jude and how their deflowering was going.”
Jude’s mouth dropped open as Brady looked like he was trying to figure out how Bates had heard that conversation, but he’d been so loud about it that most of the building probably knew when he’d gotten deflowered.
“Gareth and Cashel weren’t sure how you’d feel about their questions, though, silly boys, but I knew you would want someone to help them, so I took them out to dinner for a neutral environment and did my best.” He shrugged when she gave him a beaming smile and leaned over to give him a hug.
“Oh, that’s so sweet. Yes, some boys are silly about things like deflowering and being curious. All boys are curious.” She sighed like it was just something she had to accept. “I was very lucky that Brady was my most curious child and he was just looking for a Daddy.”
Yeah, that was pretty easy in the scheme of things.
“That one is fairly self-explanatory and Jude is a wonderful Daddy for Brady. He takes very good care of Brady and they communicate a lot.” Bates said it so nicely I couldn’t tell if he was being sincere or if it was some kind of sex joke.
Jude’s expression said he wasn’t sure either and Gareth just looked relieved that someone was making sure he wouldn’t get held hostage any longer.