Entangled (Evolve Series Novella 2.5) by S.E.Hall Read Free Book Online Page B

calls back.
    I call in our order, which means at least three
pizzas to not only feed everyone, but make sure everyone gets what they like.
I’m a black olive girl, Dane pepperoni, Tate pineapple and Bennett salad only,
that is, until you’re not looking and then she’ll sneak a bit of anything. I
start straightening up the construction zone in the living room enough to make
room for a carpet picnic, since I have no furniture. I just don’t see the point
of bringing in a bunch of stuff in that I’ll just have to cover when I paint.
    Paint first, furniture last.
    “Hello!” Bennett knocks and calls out as she opens
the door. Not that I mind, but the earlier activities in the kitchen need not
be walked in on, so maybe I’ll say something to her? I’m not sure when I became
a nympho… I thought I read where women don’t crave it until their late
thirties, but I love feeling close to Dane. And with the free time of summer,
and him off work, we’re becoming a lot like rabbits.
    “Come in,” I finally respond, awkwardly fantasizing
sexcapades while they stand there. “Pizza should be here soon. What’s new?” I
cop a squat on the floor so they’ll know to do the same.
    “Why do you still not have any furniture?” Bennett
asks, looking around the room, confusion covering her pretty face.
    “Because she’s trying to paint herself into the ground
first,” Dane answers for me as he comes down the hall and man hugs Tate. “How
are you, bro?”
    “Better than you, man. I have a place to sit,” Tate
says to him but shoots me a teasing grin.
    “We’re almost done. I’m going furniture shopping
this weekend, in fact,” I say proudly.
    “At garage sales.” Dane grumbles under his breath,
but I catch it.
    “So,” I butt in, not again going to have that
conversation, “have you guys talked to Sawyer lately? I feel like he’s fallen
off the face of the planet.”
    “I see him at work,” Tate shrugs, “seems fine, I
guess. Isn’t he moving in here with you?”
    “I don’t know, I haven’t talked to him.” I need to
make a point to call him. Parker’s wedding is right around the corner and I’m
sure he’ll want to go after staying on the farm with them for a while. And yes,
I want to see if he still plans to be my roommate. Speaking of work, though—“Tate,
how’s the gym?”
    Dane had turned over full ownership of the gym to
Tate not too long ago, and Bennett helps runs the office stuff. I’m so proud of
Dane, giving them a way to establish their future. This will be Tate’s last
year of school coming up, and now he has a plan for after graduation. I know
that’s a load off all of their minds.
    “Doing great,” he winces as he sits down next to
Bennett on the floor. “We’re adding a daycare in the back for the parents who
want to come in after work and on the weekends. Bennett’s idea.” He pats her
leg and beams at her proudly.
    “That’s a great idea, B.”  I smile warmly. “If you
guys need people, maybe I could work there a couple nights a week? I love kids,
and I could use the extra money.”
    “Of course,” Bennett replies immediately. “You’re
hired.”
    Yes, Mr. Kendrick, I see you frumping over
there, but you’ll live. I’m only talking about a few shifts here and there, and
I want my own money.
    “Can we eat at our place? This floor is
uncomfortable as fuck,” Tate whines, reaching an arm behind him to rub his
back.
    “Is your back bothering you?” Dane asks him,
concerned. “You go see someone?”
    “Nah,” Tate waves a hand at him, “it’s not that
bad, just acts up sometimes. You know what I need? A hot tub! Be nice to just
soak sometimes.”
    Oh, you have got to be kidding me.
    Apparently not, because Tate goes on.
    “Laney, you don’t mind if I put a hot tub out back,
do you? Of course, it’d be yours to use too.”
    If Tate sounded any more like a robot reading off a
script right now, I might actually laugh, but since I know what and who’s at
work