Page 17 of Breaking the Rules
Bishop rambles on to his captive audience. Poor Jordie shoots me a look that pretty much screamshelp me, but I just shrug in response. There’s no stopping my kid when he’s on a roll.
“Over/under?” Justin asks, nudging me with his elbow.
“What are we betting?”
“How long before Jordie makes his escape.”
“Oh, easy. Under ten minutes.”
“All right, I’ll bet over. Hundred bucks?”
“You’re on.”
Grant shakes his head in amused disapproval. “You guys are ridiculous.”
We all laugh, and even Jordie has to compose himself so as not to offend my kid by giving him anything but his undivided attention. Bishop rattles off fact after fact for so long that Colson starts fussing in my arms, always grumpy when he first wakes up after a deep sleep.
Ruffling his big brother’s hair on my way to the door, I carry Colson out into the crisp fall air, rocking him gently against my chest. He wraps one tiny hand around my thumb and hangs on tight.
“Don’t worry, bud. Daddy’s got you.”
Bonus!
In the spirit of bonus material, I bring to you a short story I wrote featuring the new member of the team, Preston. I hope you enjoy it!
1
PRESTON
Movement in my bedroom doorway catches my attention.
I was just dozing off, not asleep but not totally awake either, when someone crosses the threshold. It’s Essie, I realize.
I really should lock my bedroom door at night. But then I wouldn’t have the privilege of these late-night visits, now would I?
Thankfully, it’s my roommate, and not say, a hungry bear. Because that would suck. Though I doubt there’s any wild bears in the city of Seattle. At least, I hope there’s not.
I gaze up at Essie as she pauses beside my bed long enough to slip off her shoes.
“Hey,” she murmurs, shrugging out of her thick down coat. “Did I wake you?”
I shake my head.
She went out with friends about the time I announced I was heading to bed. I’m sure it’s late now, maybe sometime after two, if I had to guess. I need the sleep because I practiced really hard today.
But with Essie in my bedroom? You do the math.
I’m not getting to sleep anytime soon. I’ll probably suffer at practice tomorrow, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay.
I lift up on one elbow to gaze at her. Her long wavy hair falls over one shoulder, covering half of her face. Which is too bad, because her face is absolutely stunning. Big blue eyes, high cheekbones, a soft, plush mouth. Her mouth inspires a lot of very wicked thoughts.
“You drunk?” I murmur, my voice coming out deep.
She curses. “No.”
“You sure?”
Predictably, an exasperated noise is the only answer I receive. I should know better than to question Essie by now. She keeps me on my toes, that’s for sure.
