“A situation that needed to be resolved,” my dad finishes, surprising all of us. His eyes fall to me. “I expect you guys to keep visiting hours during the day going forward.”
I look from my dad to my mom and see shock flash across her face. It obviously isn’t the reaction that she was expecting either.
“David, she’s—”
“She’s nearly twenty, lives independently, and has a boyfriend that we like. We’re not making this into big deal, mon moitié.” My parents turn to look at one another, having one of their silent arguments for a brief moment before my mom turns her eyes to me.
“We love you. Both of you, but please, no more sleepovers while you’re here.”
“Sorry,” I finally reply.
“It won’t happen again,” Max adds adamantly.
“We’re heading out to meet the Prestons for brunch, and then we’ll be home. We’ll see you both for supper,” Mom says, not posing it as an invitation to Max as she runs a hand over her perfectly-styled hair. They leave after ensuring my bedroom door is as far open as it can go.
Max’s head falls to the pillows with a quiet train of curses as he covers his face with both hands. I feel dazed, shocked at how calm they were. After Jenny got pregnant at seventeen, my dad became overtly aware of all of our interactions with the opposite sex.
Suddenly I giggle. I giggle so hard I can hardly breathe.
“Your parents are going to hate me. This strikes you as funny?”
“If they hated you, you wouldn’t still be in here.”
“Then why are you laughing?”
“Do you remember asking if everyone would know when we … yeah, I’m pretty sure they’re all going to know.” This doesn’t seem to be nearly as amusing to Max. He shakes his head and looks up to the ceiling as more quiet curses leave him in a breath, making Kendall’s vulgarity seem childlike, which only serves in making me laugh harder.
Max leaves shortly after my giggle fit ends, kissing me several times before retreating to his own house for a few more hours of sleep and a shower.
I take my time getting dressed as I replay the events of this weekend again and feel myself blush, thinking back to Friday night. I slept with Max Miller.
A quiet squeal of delight rips through my throat, and my cheeks ache from the giant smile that I can’t stop. I pull on some clothes I find shoved in the back of a drawer and head to the backyard with a book and coffee.
“You know, you’d be super tan if you sat in the sun as often as you read.”
I look over as Kendall sits on the lounge chair beside me, looking nervous as she tucks a few strands of blond hair behind her ear.
Ignoring her comment, I set my book down and sit up. “Thanks for sneaking Max in.”
Her shoulders visibly sink with relief. “I love you, Ace, and I know I should have waited and talked to you first. It’s just … I’m really glad Max makes you so happy, and I didn’t want you to completely push him and the idea of him away without listening to him first.” She gently knocks her knee against mine, giving me a knowing look. “He was a freaking idiot to brood like that, but I think it’s only because he really is in deep for you. He left right after you did, still shirtless, and went to your apartment where he apparently pounded on the door like a crazed maniac for fifteen minutes before Abby let him in. Then he nearly got in a fight with Jesse to get into the apartment because he didn’t believe them when they said that you weren’t there.” My jaw drops and Kendall nods, pursing her lips slightly. “Yeah, he may need your help mending that relationship.” She nods, agreeing with her own assessment. “Then he came back to the house and started going crazy, worrying about if you were okay and where you’d be if you hadn’t gone home. In all honesty it’s not like he had a lot of options, but he did connect the dots pretty damn quick. He got dressed, grabbed some things, and took off at like four in the morning!”
“I’m sorry for involving you and Jameson.”
“Ace, I’m your sister. I want to be involved.” Kendall grips my fingers within hers. “Seriously, I never want you apologizing to me for involving me in things, especially if you need me. Anytime, I’m there. No questions asked. I love you, Ace, and for all the million times that you’ve been there for me, I’d like to be there for you once in a while.” I get up from my chair and perch on the edge of hers, hugging her tightly to me.
“I love you too.”
“So since the boys were up most of the night, I have a feeling they’re going to sleep most of the day, and Mom left a note in the kitchen asking you to make three batches of spaghetti sauce, so I’m guessing everyone is coming tonight.” I nod, glancing to see what time it is.
“Oh my gosh, did you hear?” Her back straightens and her eyes become bright.
“Hear what?” I ask.
“Paul’s coming tonight.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know! Jenny was super vague about it all. She just mentioned that he’s coming. So I don’t know if they’re dating again or what?”
“I hope not,” I grumble.
“I know, right?”
“Who are you ladies shit talking?” I look up to see Jameson approaching us with one of his quick smiles. He places a kiss to Kendall’s temple before dropping into a chair beside us.
“We’re not shit talking.” Kendall growls, glaring at him. “Paul’s coming over for dinner tonight. We’re simply discussing how we hope Jenny doesn’t start dating him again.”
“He is kind of an asswipe,” Jameson admits, bouncing his knee because he never sits still for any length of time. “That’s tough though, I mean…” he looks at us cautiously “…isn’t it better that he’s around being Lilly’s dad and all?”
Kendall looks at me briefly and then shakes her head. “He’s not Lilly’s dad. Her dad’s never been in the picture. He was home from college and …” Kendall’s eyes grow as she moves her hands in a rolling motion, resembling patty cake, that makes me smirk. “Yeah, Lilly arrived nine months later. It was a mess. They had to go through paternal testing and then his parents threatened a custody battle. Thankfully that never became an issue, likely because their dickhead of a son never showed any interest in Lilly, but they ended up turning out pretty great. They’re good to Lilly and Jenny. But no, Paul is definitely not her dad. Thank God.”
The rich aroma of basil, thyme, and Italian sausage fills the house when the family begins arriving.
“Mmmm, spaghetti, my favorite!” Savannah breathes as she and Caulder come in, her hands travelling over her very pregnant belly. I smile in greeting as I stir the large pot filled with sauce.
Paul comes in behind them, not even bothering to knock with a cocky grin covering his face. I watch as Caulder silently sneers at him, obviously under strict instruction not to voice his apparent thoughts.
“Hi, family!” Paul greets jovially, earning him an eye roll from both Kendall and Caulder as we quietly murmur responses.
I look up to see my parents coming in the kitchen as the doorbell rings. I hear Sharon’s voice and grin with the knowledge that Max has arrived.
“So, Ace, did you miss me?” Paul leans on the kitchen bar.
I turn my attention away from the doorway leading to the foyer in the anticipation of seeing Max.
“Probably about as much as someone misses a hemorrhoid,” Kyle answers, clasping him on his shoulder before stepping in the kitchen to stand beside me.
Paul scoffs and the tension has me reeling to devise a plan to calm everyone down. Emily, Jade, and Lilly, who are always a pretty safe bet for a distraction, once again prove their weight in gold as they run through the kitchen squealing with excitement, dressed in princess attire with Zeus trailing behind them, a cape tied around his collar.
“Certainly can’t say we’re boring,” Kyle says quietly, leaning against the drawers and drinking his beer as I return to finishing dinner.