Jonny's Redemption (Gemini Group Book 7) Riley Edwards (ebook reader screen .TXT) 📖

“You didn’t know because I didn’t want you to know and there was nothing you or anyone else could’ve done.”

Jonny had to shut that shit down. He didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for him or his family. He’d made the choice to go along with the fucked-up charade.

Nixon’s face turned to granite and he leveled Jonny with a dirty look.

“Good thing you’re coming to work for Gemini Group, friend. We need to work on your teamwork skills.”

Jonny heard Bobby’s quick inhale. He hadn’t had time to tell her he’d accepted the job or partnership as it were.

“You took the job?” she asked, not lifting her head.

“I didn’t take it as much as Nixon told me I was accepting.”

Bobby shook her head before she brushed her lips against his neck. The easy affection soothed him further. Jonny had waited a long damn time for the woman in his arms to be exactly where she belonged. Of course, it was his fault it had taken so long. But now that she was there, he knew he was never letting her go.

Bobby Layne was the one. She was the woman he’d be watching the sunset with for the rest of his life. She’d be his partner, his wife, the mother of his children.

“Yeah, that’s what I did.” Nixon laughed. “I forced you to buy into a highly profitable business at a price that’s so low it should be criminal. But seriously, my point is, I might not have been able to do anything to help you but I could’ve stood by you.”

Damn, that felt good.

However, Nixon and his father had stood by Jonny. Wayne Swagger had been the coach who talked to him. It had been Wayne who taught Jonny to reel in his temper. Turn all of the pent-up frustration into ambition. Nixon’s dad had been the man who showed Jonny how a father should be. A lesson Nix had learned, too, and it showed in how he was with his daughter Holly. The little girl was Daddy’s princess.

“You did stand by me,” Jonny told Nixon. “You and your dad. Sometimes I think the only way I survived my childhood was because of you. I don’t know if you know this, but after you joined the Navy, your dad invited me out to the farm a lot. We’d sit on his back porch, crack a beer, and shoot the shit. He always started with what you were doing and where you were at. Then he’d sit quietly and wait for me to lead the conversation in whichever direction I wanted to take it. One of my biggest regrets was not telling your dad the truth. I think he knew but he was waiting for me to bring it up. Those hours I spent with your dad were the only time I felt like I belonged.”

“I had no idea,” Nixon murmured. “Though I’m not surprised. My dad respected you. You know Wayne, he always had a saying or quote for everything. Any crisis, crossroads, or pivotal point, he’d spout the perfect motivational proverb. So I didn’t get it then but I think I do now. One day we saw Calvin and my dad told me never to forget a man’s character is his fate. My dad was right. Calvin’s character was his fate. He bore the consequences of his actions. I truly hope you understand that, Jonny.”

He didn’t but he was beginning to.

Bobby wiggled in his lap, reminding Jonny he had a woman to take care of. So did Nix. It was time to let his friend off the hook so he could go home to his wife and daughter.

“Appreciate you coming by to check on me.” Jonny dipped his chin. “Means a lot you’d take time to come out here but I’m good.”

“Right.” Nixon smiled. “Yeah, I can see you’re good. I’ll let you two get on with your night.”

Nix stood and Jonny patted Bobby’s bottom. She slid off his lap and as soon as Jonny took his feet, he hooked an arm around her and pulled her close.

“Bobby, it was nice seeing you.”

“You, too, Nix. Tell Micky I said hi and give that girl of yours a big kiss from me.”

The man’s face lit at the mention of his daughter. Yeah, Wayne Swagger had taught his son about being a good dad.

“Will do. Jonny, see you in the morning.” He was nearing the edge of the deck when he turned back. “Happy for you. Both of you.”

Bobby snuggled in closer and Jonny gave his friend a lift of his jaw. When Nixon disappeared around the corner, Jonny dipped down and kissed the top of Bobby's head. And since he was there he took the time to breathe her in.

Peaches and vanilla.

“Since you have absolutely nothing in your house to eat, I ordered Italian.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You’re going to pick it up and I’m staying here to take a shower in your badass bathroom.”

“No, thank you, Bobby. Means a lot the way—”

Bobby’s hand came up and she pressed her thumb against his lips.

“You’re welcome,” she whispered.

A sense of belonging stole over Jonny. Love and contentment and gratification. The emotions were so overwhelming he did the only thing he could do. Jonny dipped his head and kissed his woman. He meant to keep it light, but the moment their tongues touched a spark caught and the kiss became less about showing her how much he appreciated her standing by him and everything to do with tasting his woman.

Jonny tilted his head, cupped her ass, and took the kiss deeper, desperate to get as close as he could. Bobby moaned into his mouth—a beautiful needy sound that made his cock throb. Later. He’d have her in his bed later. But now, he needed to end this before he took her on his back porch. Which wasn’t a bad idea. Something for another time. He slowed the kiss and smiled against her