by A. J. Macey
“How are you enjoying Nebraska, Erin?” As soon as the conversation was directed away from me, I tuned it out, focusing on eating the last bit of my food.
As everyone was finishing their dinner, Stella asked, “Is everyone ready for dessert?” glancing around the table. “Kingston, dear, would you grab the cheesecake and other desserts from the fridge and freezer?” He nodded, nudging my leg slightly.
“Want to help me, Emma?”
Getting up, I nodded silently, following Kingston to the kitchen. As soon as the door was kicked almost closed, he turned to me and pulled me into his chest.
“What’s going on, Babydoll? You’ve been quiet all supper.”
My sweet Kingston. I felt my chest warm as I wrapped my arms around his trim waist, his orange and cinnamon scent filling my nose as I buried my face into his chest.
“Emma?” he prompted, so I took a steeling breath and faced what I had been trying to ignore all day.
“It’s the first family holiday I’ve had without both of my parents, and I miss my dad, but at the same time, I’m angry as heck because he’s barely talked to me since we left. It was like, when my parents divorced, he forgot I even existed.” I purposely left off that my mom had done the same thing, knowing I would have to confront her, eventually.
But right now, I’m going to focus on the feeling of my boyfriend’s arms around me.
“I’m sorry, Babydoll. I know it doesn’t mean much, but I’m happy you’re here today.” Looking up at him, I smiled, and just like we did last weekend, I popped up onto my toes and met him halfway. While his kiss was still hesitant, his thumbs rubbed my lower back in comforting swipes. Unscented Chapstick coated his lips, and his short beard tickled my skin. Feeling brazen, I nibbled his lower lip, and his arms tightened around me.
“Emma.” My mom’s voice shocked me out of my butterfly-fluttering-girly-giggling haze.
“Oh.” I whipped around, my cheeks no longer flushing from excitement but embarrassment as I saw her raised brow raise and frown. “Uh,” I said lamely, unable to figure out what to say. Picking up on my discomfort, Kingston’s fingers rubbed my back.
“I didn’t know you two were dating,” she exclaimed. “Do I need to give you the talk? Birds, bees, condoms, and STDs?”
“Oh my God, Mom, no,” I exclaimed, my tone frantic. “Please, don’t.”
“Alright then, just remember what I’ll do if you do something you shouldn’t. I came out to tell you I was called in for an emergency meeting with the boss, something about a last-minute event being thrown for Christmas.”
“Oh, uh, alright.” I plastered a smile on my face, darting forward to give her a quick hug, squeezing a little harder than normal. “Happy Thanksgiving, Mom.”
“Happy Thanksgiving to you too, sweetie,” she murmured, hugging me tightly. “Stella said you can stay here tonight since you and your friends are going Black Friday shopping, but when you go to sleep, I expect you to stay in a separate room from Kingston.” I didn’t have to look up to know she was eyeing him over my shoulder before I pulled back. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom. See you tomorrow.” As she turned and walked away, my eyes watered, but I shoved back the wave of sadness that washed over me and tried to focus on being thankful she even came.
“Alright, load me up,” I exclaimed, faking to heck and back the pep in my voice. Kingston flashed me a skeptical look with narrowed eyes but didn’t ask me what was wrong, knowing I didn’t want to talk about it. Once we had the desserts pulled out of the fridge, we quickly made our way back to the dining room.
We placed the cakes and pies on the table, then took our seats again. After getting two mugs of hot cocoa, Jesse moved over to where my mom had been sitting, placing one in front of me. I inhaled the sweet scent before taking a sip, letting the warmth coat me from within, erasing the emptiness my mom’s abrupt exit had left me with. I felt him squeeze my leg under the table, flashing me an adorable wink when I looked up at him. Out of all of them, he knew what it was to feel abandoned by a parent. I let out a heavy breath as I squeezed his leg in return. Alone in this together.
“Ah, perfect!” Stella added with a bright smile before giving her signature mom glare to Reid. “Reid, one piece of everything until everyone else gets their fill.”
“Aw, man,” he whined, but the curl of his lips gave away he wasn’t actually upset being told to hold back from feeding his sweet tooth.
“Here you go, Emma,” Kaleb said with a smile, sliding a plate of pumpkin pie in front of me with a giant dollop of whipped cream on the side.
“Thanks, Mr. Bell,” I murmured, having lost the reprieve Jesse and the hot cocoa had given me. Suddenly, the barely closed wound of my father’s self-imposed absence was ripped open again by Kaleb’s sweet, fatherly ways. It wasn’t his fault, but it hurt all the same. I took another sip of my hot chocolate as I pushed the longing of past holidays further away.
I’m here with my boys. I’m not alone. I am blessed. I am thankful.
“Four more times,” he teased, going over to the counter where they had hot cocoa in a crock pot and refilling his mug.
“Four more times for what?” Reid asked around his mouthful of cheesecake. Stella popped him, making Reid laugh.
It’s so nice how they treat everyone like family.
“I told her to call me Kaleb and asked how many more times she would call me Mr. Bell. Her response?”
“Five more times,” Kingston finished with a smile.
“Typical Cali girl,” Reid teased when he had finally finished his bite.
“Emma, can you come help me for a second?” Stella called from the front hall.
“Want some more hot cocoa while you do that, Em?” Jesse asked me quietly, grabbing my mug.
“Yes, please.” Getting up, I went to where I’d heard Stella, her upper body digging through the front closet. “What’s up?”
“Quick question,” she murmured, shifting out of the way so I could see what she was talking about. “How do these look as presents for the boys?”
“You’re asking me?” I was surprised, shocked even, she had thought to ask me what to get them. I mean, I had spent a lot of time with them since moving to the middle of freaking nowhere, but I had only been here a couple months.
“Of course, you’re their girlfriend, so I figured you would know what they want,” she stated simply, casually dropping the girlfriend bomb like it wasn’t a big deal. She must have read the panicked expression on my face because she waved her hand in the air.
“Don’t worry, Emma darling, Kaleb and I aren’t concerned about the four of you. I mean, we had our concerns at first, but we sat down and talked about it. We realized we trust the four of you, and if you’re not hurting anyone, why wouldn’t we support you? We want you kids to be happy. So,” she exclaimed excitedly, “do these look good? I wanted to ask when they were all distracted by sugary deliciousness. Nothing puts those boys in a food coma like cake, pie, and ice cream.”
I looked into the box, scanning the items. It was easy enough to figure out which present was for which of my guys—a new pair of boots in the style King always wore, this pair a rich, warm brown leather, a stack of new paperbacks that just screamed Jesse, and finally a hat, a pair of socks, and a shirt, all with weird patterns or phrases on them for Reid.
“I think they’re perfect,” I murmured. “They’re going to love them. I’m hoping to get some shopping done over the next couple weeks,” I explained as Stella packed the box back up and tucked it away under a pile of coats.
“Well, if you want someone to go with you, you know where to find me.”
My brain whirled in confusion. Did I eat so much, I was too tired and full to understand what she’d said? Or was her offer just too good for my quickly growing cynicism to handle? Either way, I stood there with my head tilted and face scrunched up.
“Oh, don’t give me that. Your mom has been really busy, and you can’t very well take the boys Chr
istmas shopping with you, so if you want someone to go with you—”
She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence, my body moving on its own as I curled my arms around her tiny waist and buried my face in her soft sweater. Stella didn’t say anything, just folded her arms around me as she cooed softly while the tears I had been trying so hard to hold back finally leaked out.
“Thank you,” I mumbled against her shoulder.
“You don’t have to thank me, Emma. You’re a part of the family, and that’s what family does.”
Not my family…
The movie was wrapping up, all of us lounging on the couch in the basement for the majority of the evening until Killian finally called it quits and headed up to bed over a half hour ago. I was bundled up in a large blanket between Kingston and Reid, my body slowly lulled into a relaxed state, but I couldn’t seem to take a quick nap before our plans. My mind was just too worked up about my mom.
“What’s up, Cali girl?” Reid murmured, his hand finding my leg under the blanket. “You just tensed up.”
“It’s nothing,” I tried to reassure him, but based on the cocked brow and frown, I didn’t manage. “Uh, my mom knows about me dating Kingston. She walked in on us getting the desserts in the garage, but when I tried to tell her about all of us… I froze,” I mumbled, feeling worse the longer I went on. “I tried last night, too, when we were eating, but I couldn’t seem to make the words come out.”
“Did you forget to close the door again, King?” Reid teased. “You really need to learn how to do that, so people stop walking in on you two making out.”
“Ha ha, very funny,” Kingston deadpanned, but I could feel his shoulders shaking as he held back his laugh.
“But for real, Cali girl. It’s alright, I haven’t told my parents yet,” Reid confided. “I don’t think they’ll necessarily be okay with it, but that isn’t going to stop me. We know you’re not ashamed of us, right guys?” Reid asked, Jesse and Kingston both nodding as they looked at me with soft smiles and understanding expressions.
What did I do to deserve such sweethearts?
“So, don’t worry or feel like we’re pressuring you to tell your mom. Or anyone, for that matter. Okay? Just do it when you’re ready,” Reid leaned forward, pressing a kiss to my lips with a smile. A buzzing in my pocket pulled my attention away from Reid’s kiss, irritation filling me as I glanced at who it was.
“What’s up, Babydoll?” I heard Kingston ask, his question trailing off when he noticed who was texting me. “Is that Tyler? Like ex-boyfriend Tyler?”
“Ugh, yes,” I groaned, swiping the text away, so I didn’t have to look at it. “He doesn’t leave me alone. I’ve just decided to stop responding, hoping he’ll back off.”
“Let me see,” Reid demanded, his hand coming out. I cocked a brow at his gruff tone, and he grimaced. “Sorry, Cali girl. Can I please see it?”
“Much better,” I murmured, handing over my phone after I plugged in the passcode.
“What a douche,” Jesse muttered under his breath as he watched Reid scroll, my normally cheerful boyfriend’s jaw clenched as he read through.
“Can I text him? He clearly doesn’t respect what you want,” Reid bit out, passing my phone to Kingston’s waiting palm.
“Reid, I don’t want you spending the rest of our holiday weekend fighting with my ex because he’s a stupid jerk,” I huffed. “Please, boys,” I pleaded when they all started to argue.
“If he continues, we’re figuring out a plan, alright?” Reid compromised, clearly unhappy, I wouldn’t let them go full steam ahead in their fight against Turdtastic Tyler.
“Deal, I just want to enjoy our time together, that’s all,” I pouted, leaning forward to kiss him again. Reid sighed, pecking me as I heard Kingston and Jesse’s sigh as well, all of them quickly deflating.
“Okay, okay,” Jesse muttered, “just stop pouting.”
“You win, Babydoll,” Kingston teased, his fingers tracing circles on my back. Reid glanced at the front of my phone, a smile appearing as he glanced at me.
“Enough about that, it’s nearing our time to head out, and you know what that means?”
“Black Friday shopping?” I replied with a grin, his hazel eyes lighting up in excitement.
“SHOPPING TIME!” he hollered, throwing his arms in the air with a weird little dance before jumping off the couch and bounding up the stairs, leaving the rest of us laughing.
Such a clown.
A cute clown, but still.
4
November 29th
Factoid about Black Friday—it’s the busiest day of the year for plumbers.
#WhoKnew #BlackFridayShopping #FunnyFriday
“I’m so freaking excited,” Aubrey squealed, her breath puffing out in front of her in the cold winter air. Her exuberant cheer had the people in front and behind us in line to the mall looking at us, laughing at her bright smile and excited dance.
“I would never have guessed,” Jason teased with a smirk. Aubrey scoffed, elbowing him in the side, but even with the bite to the air, I saw her cheeks darken at his prodding. I think someone has a crush. I knew she liked someone but hadn’t told us who yet.
“Only a few more minutes!” Zoey added from where she stood next to Aubrey, fueling each other’s excitement. “Are you ready, Emma?”
“Yes, it’s been a long time since I’ve done Black Friday shopping,” I explained, a shiver wracking through my body as a chilly breeze whipped around us. Reid, being the observant man he is, wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. As soon as I was settled against Reid, Jesse’s fingers squeezed mine, the heat from his coat pocket, where our entwined hands were, seeping into my chilled body.
“I’m ready to pick up that new gaming system,” Brayden added, looking around the group. “We all got our plans ready?” A round of yeses went up, all of our gazes turning toward the front doors as workers neared. A thrill uncurled, adrenaline buzzing through me as Reid and Jesse let me go. I stepped up to Zoey and Aubrey, grabbing hold of them so we wouldn’t lose each other in the crowd.
“Meet back up at the water fountain in two hours,” I instructed, my face hurting from my wide smile. “Ready.”
“Set,” Carter added, bouncing on his toes.
And as soon as the door was open, Reid shouted, “Go!”
Clutching each other like our lives depended on it, Zoey, Aubrey, and I darted to the edge of the crowd, intending to hit the department store. As soon as we were in the proper department, we split up.
“What about this?” Aubrey called, holding up a plum-colored sweater. “Oh! With this?” She held up a denim jacket, but I had to crinkle my nose at the weirdness of the cut when she put it on.
“Here, try this one.” I held out a slightly lighter one, the fit better for her lean shape. She switched it out and squealed.
“It’s perfect! I’m going to look for a pair of skinny jeans and maybe a pair of shoes. Oooh or a scarf!” Chuckling, she darted away, her straight chestnut hair the only thing visible as she swerved around the stacks.
I continued to browse over the next hour, content not to spend any of my money on myself since I had everything I needed. Besides, getting something good for my boys would be worth more than another CD or something for me. These might be cute for Zoey. She was eyeing items that would look good with the muted yellow scarf and tan purse I pulled off the rack.
“Hey, Cali girl,” Reid’s effervescent voice startled me, causing me to yelp and jump. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Jeez, give a girl a heart attack,” I teased, my hand pressing the scarf to my chest to calm my racing heart. Reid grimaced, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. “What happened to getting gaming stuff and all things electronic?”
“I got what I wanted,” he stated, holding up a bag. “Kingston and Jesse went with Carter to look at books, and Brayden and Jason are looking at shoes. I didn’t really care about either, so I figured
I could help you pick out some stuff.” His cheeks tinted pink as he shrugged.
“I would love your help, babe. Right now, though, I’m just picking some stuff out for Zoey. So, after I show her these?” I asked, showing him the two accessories still clutched in my hands.
“You rang?” Zoey’s said right behind me, and once again, I jumped and yelped. Flashing them a half-hearted glare at their chuckles, I passed over the two items. Her brown eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, “They’re so pretty! I love them.” Shooting forward, she wrapped me in a bear hug with a mumbled “You’re the best” before making her way to the dressing room.
“You’re so cute, Cali girl,” Reid teased, curling me under his arm. “Come on, show me what you want.”
“You’re not getting me anything,” I challenged, my fingers trailing over several soft sweaters displayed on their hangers. “But I don’t mind wandering around with you.”
“Good because you’re stuck with me,” he murmured, his lips pressing to my temple. “Well, at least until breakfast, then pancakes have me for a short while. Don’t worry, though, you’ll get me back.” His joke had me laughing, the butterflies erupting as I felt him smiling against my hair.
I think I could share him with pancakes.
But only if he shares me with French toast.
“Oh God, so freaking full,” Reid whined, pushing his plate away as he slouched in his seat with a groan.
“You’re so dramatic,” Jesse countered with a shake of his head, but his lips quirked up as he watched Reid clutch his stomach with a pathetic grimace.
“Yeah, but if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be Reid,” Kingston added, taking a sip of his milkshake. Jesse conceded his point with a head tilt and nod.
“What’s the plan now?” I asked, also pushing my plate away. As much as Reid was being a dork, I had to agree on the front of being super full.
“Go sleep off the food coma from supper and our middle of the night breakfast,” Reid explained, his face scrunching up. “What would you call that? Supfast or breapper?”
