“Good, then let’s go, I have my first parent meeting.”
I laugh. “It’s not a parent teacher conference.”
“Might as well be,” he quips as we climb out of the car.
The door opens as we make our way up the walk, and my mom turns her electric blue lasers on us. I can feel the disapproval pouring off her in invisible waves. Her hair has dulled to a strawberry blonde over the years as she lost pigment and gained gray. Her slender oval shaped face leads down to thin pink lips turned down at the corners. She’s pristine in a crisp white t-shirt she’s belted with a colorful scarf. The collar is starched to perfection and a thin silver cross catches the light.
“Ruth. I didn’t know you were bringing a guest.”
I clear my throat. “Hi, Mom. I told you I’d be bringing my boyfriend. This is Skull.”
She frowns and gives him a slow once over.
“Mrs. Gregg. It’s a pleasure,” he drawls. His dark gaze glints with the wildness that drew me to him.
My mothers’ eyebrows disappear into her fringe of bangs.
I cannot help it…I giggle.
She steps back speechless and allows us to enter the two story home.
“It’s about time!” Rochelle calls. She rounds the corner with her daughter, Rowan, in her arms. The dark haired girl with hazel eyes coos. With her fat cheeks and dimples showing, she holds out her arms.
“Hey, Rowie.” I take her from my slack-jawed sister. “Rochelle, this is my boyfriend, Skull. Skull this is my baby sister and my niece, Rowan,” I say tickling the chubby bundle wriggling in my arms. “Aunt Ruthie missed you. Yes, she did.”
Skull extends his hand. “Nice to meet you, Rochelle.”
“Likewise,” my sister whispers.
Her husband, Tim appears and looks from me to Skull before he offers his own hand. “Tim…grateful to have some testosterone in the house.”
Skull laughs. “Skull, good to meet you man.”
The ice breaks and I breathe a sigh of relief as I wink at Rochelle.
What the hell? Rochelle mouths.
Surprise, I mouth back.
“Dinner is ready to serve now, if you girls will set the table,” my mother says.
“Yes ma’am,” Rochelle says, wrapping an arm around my wrist as she pulls me through the room pausing in front of Tim. “Take Rowan, please.”
“If Ruthie will relinquish her hold,” Tim says with a smile. “Hi Ruthie.”
“Hey Tim, you can have her for now, but I expect her back.” I plant a huge kiss on Rowan’s cheek making her giggle. She wraps her arms around her father’s neck. I can’t help but picture Skull in the same position. I glance over my shoulder and find him enraptured with Rowan. Rochelle tugs me away ending my daydreams.
“What the fuck?” Rochelle whispers.
“Language, baby sister,” I tease.
“Uh-uh. How long as this been going on?”
“Six months, give or take.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“Wasn’t sure it was fun or something more.”