by Nikki Lane
“It won’t be weird.”
“It would be weird for me. I can’t show up to your house uninvited.”
“First of all.” He kissed my shoulder. “I can cash in my first-class ticket for two coach tickets.” He kissed my shoulder again. “Second of all, my family would love to see you. My mom would fall over.”
I sat up in the bed so that Jacob had to peer over to see me. “It’s not a good idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea.”
I picked at the cuticles around my nails. One started to bleed. “I have a job, Jacob. I can’t just not show up.” I sucked the blood away.
“Weren’t you just complaining to me the other day that they cut your hours?”
Figured. I had the only man who actually listened to what a woman said, living under the same roof with me. But it was true. The club closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
“Come on, Maeve.” He grabbed my hand when I tried to destroy another cuticle. “I want to bring you home with me. I don’t want my girlfriend to spend Christmas all alone.”
My chest tightened when I heard the word. I swung my feet over the bed and stood up, holding the sheet close to my body. I went to walk away, but the sheet tightened in my hand.
When I turned to give it a few tugs, I noticed the other end of the sheet was crumpled in Jacob’s hand.
“Let go, Jacob.”
“Where are you going?”
“I want to get dressed.”
“Why are you walking away from me?”
“I’m not walking away.”
“You are doing the literal definition of walking away.”
My clothes were on the floor, out of reach. Jacob tugged at the sheet, trying to coax me back on the bed. I couldn’t.
I couldn’t let go.
I couldn’t let him uncover me. Make me explain myself. Why the thought of being his girlfriend sent me running into the next room. Why I couldn’t summon the courage to drop the sheet and bare my naked body to him. Not now. I felt so exposed.
“I’m not your girlfriend, Jacob.” I readjusted the sheet and tightened it around my body.
His mouth settled into a deep frown. “But you promised.” He got up from the bed but maintained a tight grip on the sheet.
He wasn’t going to make this easy.
“You promised,” he repeated. “Just you and me, remember?”
I shifted my weight from foot to foot as he approached me.
“Yes. What I don’t remember is promising to be your girlfriend.”
“What did you think I meant?”
I shrugged and threw a hand in the air. “I dunno,” I cried. “I thought it was just something said in the moment.”
He shook his head. “That’s bullshit, and you know it.”
“I can’t be your girlfriend. Anyone’s girlfriend.”
He cradled me in his arms, his eyes big pools of gold. The scent of our romp between the sheets still lingered in the air.
“Try for me.”
“What if…I’m terrible at it?”
He wrinkled his face like it was unfathomable. “You won’t be.”
“What if we do this and you end up hating me?”
“That’s impossible.” He pressed me closer against his body. “I promise you won’t regret it. Just try.”
His words held so much weight I could feel them float through my ears and seep into my brain. In his arms, it almost felt like being in a relationship was possible. Being his was possible.
And if I said no? What would be the consequences I would face? Lose him for sure. My heart raced at just the thought.
“Okay.” My stomach clenched as soon as the word left my lips.
Jacob smiled and pulled me into a hug. “Great. Now let’s start packing for our trip.”
Chapter Seventeen
When we landed at the Orlando Airport, I wanted to kiss the ground. I was sure my first plane ride ever had been the most turbulent, too. I made it through the two-and-a-half-hour flight with my face burrowed in Jacob’s arm, trying to visualize our safe landing over and over in my head. And the nausea. I wasn’t prepared to feel like I could hurl every organ out of my body when the plane began its descent for landing. Every time we lowered a few thousand feet, I was sure my face turned the color of pea soup.
I followed Jacob through the crowded airport, pulling my carry-on behind me. He’d managed to get through the flight without so much as a sneeze. It was no wonder his mother insisted on buying him a first-class seat. Jacob and I were squeezed together in the center row of seats in between a severely overweight man and a nun. Of course I’d get a seat next to a nun. I’d been convinced she was staring at me the whole flight, shaking her head and tisking through her teeth. Did she know of my sins? I’d avoided all eye contact with her just in case.
It took me a minute to adjust to the warm weather when we got outside. Seventy-three degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Not bad for December.
“He should be here,” Jacob said, checking his phone. “He texted and said he was waiting outside.”
I scanned the faces around me but wasn’t sure who I was looking for. I knew his brother was picking us up, but I hadn’t seen him in ages. I was sure he wasn’t wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt anymore.
Someone was waving over on the other side of the drop-off area. He was tall with darker hair a little shorter than Jacob’s.
When Jacob smiled and waved back, I knew it had to be Noah. We waited for a few cars to pass before attempting to cross the street. The relief I felt to be off the plane was short-lived. For the next few days, I would not only be introduced as Jacob’s girlfriend, but I would be meeting his family. Technically not meeting. Not for the first time, anyway. But it’d been so long, it might as well had been.
Noah and Jacob did some manly handshake and gave each other a few stiff pats on the back. I took a few steps back, pulling my hair around my neck.
“Noah,” Jacob said. “You remember Maeve, right?”
He smiled with pearly white teeth. “Of course I do.” He wrapped his arms around me for a hug. “It’s good to see you, Maeve. How’ve you been?”
“Good, thanks.” His hair smelled so different than Jacob’s. “I didn’t even recognize you. You’re so grown up.”
Noah had the same angled jaw as his older brother, but his deep brown eyes set them apart. Time had been good to the Young boys. Maybe it was the Florida weather.
He smiled, which only added more proof that he and Jacob were brothers. “You two ready to go? Mom’s been texting me every ten minutes since your plane landed.”
“Yeah, thanks for teaching her that by the way,” Jacob groaned as we followed Noah to his car. “She just loves to send me texts every chance she gets. Like a phone call a day wasn’t enough.”
Jacob always grumbled about his mother’s daily phone call ritual. Sometimes, he would go days without answering her calls. I never said anything, but deep down I’d think about how lucky he was to have someone willing to go so far to be a part of his life even though she lived over a thousand miles away.
Noah unlocked the car and opened the trunk. “Just be thankful she hasn’t learned how to send email yet.”
When we got in the car, Noah rolled down the windows. I sat in the front, while Jacob took the back seat, and watched the palm trees glide past my window, the wind blowing back my hair. For the hour drive to the house, I listened to Noah and Jacob catch up with each other. I didn’t say much. And that was on purpose. The more I could I sneak through the next few days, the better.
The panic started to settle in when Noah made one final turn and then slowed the car in front of a large house. I heard the car doors open and shut. But I just sat there, staring. Unable to move. My fingers were clutched to the door handle.
“Coming?” Jacob asked after opening my door.
He held out his hands to help me out of the car. Or maybe it was to pull me out since he probably sensed my reluctance. I stretched my tig
ht fingers, took a deep breath, and unbuckled my seatbelt.
Jacob pulled me in close and brushed the hair off my shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he cooed. “Everything’s going to be fine.” He sealed his prediction with a kiss.
I broke away when Noah closed the trunk of the car. Jacob grabbed both of our bags, and we all headed toward the house. I lagged behind. Every step felt like the earth could open up at any moment and swallow me whole. Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad. At least it would get me out of this trip.
Noah punched in the code to the garage door. It rattled open, revealing two cars parked in the other bays.
“Brace yourselves,” Noah muttered before we walked through the door to the house.
The kitchen was clean and bright. Jacob set our bags on the tile floor.
“Mom,” Noah yelled. His voice echoed through the large house.
The bandages I’d put around my thumbs were the only things keeping me from shredding my cuticles.
Jacob reached for my hand as I heard Noah and his mom meet in the foyer.
“There she is.” Jacob’s mom came toward me with open arms and a wide smile. She pulled me into a hug, forcing Jacob to lose this grip.
“Hi, Mrs. Young.”
She squeezed me tight, still smelling of the same perfume. “Carol, honey. Mrs. Young is that crabby old woman who keeps calling.”
“How is grandma, by the way?” Jacob said.
I stifled a laugh.
She pulled away and held out my arms. “My God. Look how much you’ve grown. You’re not the little girl I remember.”
I took a few subtle steps closer to Jacob when she let go. “You look exactly the same.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “You’re so sweet. And pretty.” She turned to Jacob. “How come you never told me how pretty she is?”
Jacob rubbed the top of his head. “Mom—”
“She’s hot, dude,” Noah muttered, looking a little surprised we all heard him.
Jacob gave him a small shove and ordered him to shut up.
Carol gave a disapproving shake of her head. “Meg had sent me a few pictures, but it’s been a while.” She gently held my face.
My cheeks must have turned crimson. “Thank you.”
Jacob cleared his throat. “Mom…”
“Hi, sweetie.” She turned her attention to her son, pulling him into an embrace. “I’m so happy you’re home. If only Caleb were here, then I’d have all three of my boys back together.”
“Workaholic,” Noah muttered.
Jacob hunched over as she swayed him back and forth. “It’s good to be back. Where’s Dad?”
“At the office. He’ll be home soon.” She gestured to the bags. “Jacob, why don’t you bring the bags to the spare room so you two can get settled.” She leaned in close to Jacob and me. “There’s a queen size bed in there.”
My stomach lurched. Did she expect us to sleep in the same bed? I thought most parents were just the opposite. Had Jacob told her that we were a couple? Of course he had. Why else would I be here?
“Mom,” Jacob said, letting out a nervous chuckle and shaking his head.
She held up her hands. “What? I’m just saying…your room still has your old twin size bed. There’s hardly enough room for the both—”
“Thanks, Mom. Spare room. Got it.” Jacob took the bags, and I followed him up the marble staircase.
“Don’t be too long,” his mom called from the foyer. “Dinner’s in an hour.”
We bypassed several doors, some opened, some closed. My eyes glazed over the photos on the wall, catching glimpses of Jacob’s life. I didn’t recognize all the faces, but they all had smiles.
“Here we are.” Jacob walked into the large bedroom and set down my bag.
The queen size bed sat proudly in the middle of the room, fitted with an elaborate comforter and a mound of decorative pillows. It looked like a bed straight out of a hotel room.
“Thanks.” I wiped my sweaty palms against my jeans.
“This room has its own bathroom,” he said, nodding in its direction.
“Great.” I feigned a smile and walked deeper into the room.
A large window broke up the back wall, revealing a view of the backyard, palm trees and all. A large terra cotta fountain, situated among the cobblestone patio, spouted water.
Jacob held on to his bag. “I’m going to drop my bag in my room. It’s just down the hall. I’ll sleep there.”
A small wave of relief hit me.
Jacob disappeared through the door and was quickly replaced by Noah. He knocked on the open door.
I invited him in with a smile, and he hopped up on the bed. “It’s so cool to have you here.”
“Thanks.” I tossed my bag onto the bed and unzipped it. “I’m still having a hard time believing I’m here.”
“Ever been to Florida before?”
I shook my head as I separated my clothes into different piles on the bed. “Never. I’ve barely left the state.” I reached the bottom of my suitcase, which held all my underwear and bras.
Noah’s eyes widened a little when he caught a peek.
I tried not to smile and turned my back to set a small pile of clothes on the dresser.
“So I hear you and my brother are shacking up together.”
“He’s just staying with me for a while.”
“Man,” Noah muttered. He gently shook his head. “Always was a lucky bastard.”
Jacob walked into the room. “What the hell, bro?” He held up both arms.
“What?” Noah said.
“Get off my girl’s bed.”
The butterflies tickled my stomach.
Noah burrowed into the comforter and made himself more comfortable. “I’m just getting caught up. Don’t be selfish.” He turned to look at me. “Besides, Maeve would tell me if I was bothering her, right, Maeve?”
“Right.”
Jacob grabbed a throw pillow and tossed it in Noah’s face. “Get the hell out.”
Noah rolled off the bed and trotted out the door. “That’s messed up,” he called from the hallway. He peeked his head back in the doorway for just a moment. “My room’s right next door if you need anything, Maeve. It’s closer than my brother’s.”
“Out,” Jacob ordered before kicking the door shut.
I laughed as Jacob took his place on the bed.
“How are you doing?” he asked, putting his hands behind his head.
“Fine.” I hoped I sounded convincing, but the look on Jacob’s face wasn’t a good sign.
I sat down next to him, and he brushed his hand up and down my arm. “Mom’s cooking dinner tonight, and then I have something planned for us tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.”
“Did you call Meg to let her know we got here okay?”
I shook my head. “I’ll call her before dinner.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged. “Just a little nervous.”
He propped up in the bed and held my cheek. “Don’t be.” He kissed my forehead. “You’re already popular around here.”
He set his lips on mine.
This kiss. His kiss.
It did strange things to my mind. Made me forget things I didn’t want to remember. Made me feel like nothing could hurt me. Not even myself.
I parted my lips and felt his tongue glide inside. I pressed deeper into his mouth, wanting to push him down on the bed.
The door flung open, revealing Noah’s face. “Dinner’s—” He stopped abruptly and smiled wide. “Damn…”
Jacob grabbed another pillow and tossed it just as Noah slammed the door shut, mumbling, “lucky bastard.”
* * * *
Jacob’s father sat at the head of the table. His tie was loose around his neck and the top button of his shirt was undone. He’d aged just as well as his wife, maybe even better. Salt and pepper was a good look for him.
I sat next to Jacob across from Noah. Jacob’s
mom set one last bowl on the table. She wore an apron around her waist and pearls around her neck.
“Hope everyone’s hungry,” she said, taking her seat between her husband and Noah.
“Starving.” Noah was the first one to reach for the food.
“How about letting our guest go first,” Mr. Young said.
Noah rolled his eyes. “What did you think I was doing?” He picked up the serving fork. “Maeve?”
I held out my plate, and he gave me a generous helping. There was no way I was going to come close to finishing it. My stomach was one huge knot wrapped in barbed wire.
“Thank you,” I said, withdrawing my plate.
Everyone took turns passing bowls around the table.
“Maeve,” Mr. Young said. “How’s your Uncle Jim holding up?”
“Great,” I replied. “Driving Aunt Meg crazy, but he was doing that way before he had his heart attack.”
He smiled and took a bite of food. “Do you visit them often?”
“As often as I can. It gets kind of hectic between work and school.”
Carol raised her eyebrows. “You’re in school and working, too?”
I tried to swallow the food down my dry throat. “Yes, it’s been that way since I moved out of Aunt Meg and Uncle Jim’s.”
“Here that, Noah?” Mr. Young rumbled.
Noah just shoveled more food into his mouth.
“Still mooching off Mom and Dad?” Jacob said. “Not surprising.”
Jacob winced when Noah dealt him a swift kick under the table. “You’re one to talk.”
“I got a job, moron.”
“Boys,” Carol said in a disapproving tone. “No fighting at the dinner table.”
“What kind of work do you do, Maeve?” Mr. Young asked.
I took a sip of water, hoping it would help the words come out easier. But I ended up swallowing a little too enthusiastically, and the water went down the wrong tube.
“She’s a bartender,” Jacob said, patting my back. “You okay?” he asked me.
I nodded.
“A bartender?” Noah said. “Sweet.”
“It’s just until I find a real job,” I said.
“Nothing wrong with that,” Mr. Young said.
“What are you majoring in?” Carol asked.
“I’m not sure yet.”