Page 153 of Too Far

Locke: Cool *kissy face*

Kendrick: Cool *winky face*

Kylian: Affirmative.

Locke: Ahhhh come on man!

Kendrick: You spelled “cool” wrong, Daddy Genius

Cap: Leave him alone. He’s still got work to do.

Josephine: Cap’s right. Kylian has more work to do for tomorrow, and he’s about to be distracted for at least thirty minutes…

Locke: *eyes emoji*

Cap: Josephine…

Kendrick: Where you at?

Kylian: That wasn’t an invitation. More of an FYI. See you all at dinner. If I’m still hungry enough to join you, that is.

Locke: Damn

Kendrick: I keep telling y’all he’s got jokes now

Chapter 67

Josephine

I’mrackingmybrainand pulling out all the stops, trying to lighten the mood.

Decker’s nervous. We all are.

It doesn’t help that I’m testing their resolve by insisting I navigate the lake.

It’s been three days since we came home from the mountains. Three days since I moved back into the mansion.

It’s been three days, but it feels like a lifetime.

Major decisions have been made. Strategic moves are officially in place.

Today is the last step. When it’s done, we can finally move forward.

Life is restarting slowly in Lake Chapel. The guys haven’t had to report for practice yet, and Lake Chapel University resumed virtually so they can stagger the start of in-person classes.

Easing back in like this has allowed us to prepare. To quietly work out the legal and financial pieces of the puzzle and to plan out today’s press conference.

“Anchors away!” I call out from the helm.

Locke laughs, but he’s the only one.

“Prepare to be boarded!” I holler, giving the throttle a bit more juice as we cruise across the smooth surface of the lake, headed for the marina.

“You know none of that makes sense,” my husband grumbles.

He’s got major Big Decker Energy rolling off him today, and it’s hot as hell. He’s dressed to perfection in a dark suit and red tie. His legs are splayed wide, and he’s got an arm resting casually on the back of the bench seat, but the frantic jitter of his knee gives away his anxiety. So does the restless vitality rolling off him in waves.

“Excuse me.” I furrow my brow and pop my hip, wagging one finger his way. “Are you the captain of this ship?”