“I have better things to do than argue with my son, Jett.” My mom’s voice was laced with warning. “And I don’t have to. Because my sons listen to me. Get your ass home by Thursday.”
True to being a Stonewood, she didn’t wait for a reply before she hung up.
“What’s traffic like if I make a stop at Vick’s, Jerome?”
His shoulders lifted slightly. “Won’t be much different. I’ll reroute.”
I nodded and went back to staring out the window. Thanksgiving with the family meant Jaydon acting like a child, Brey and Jax pawing at each other, and for the first time in years, my parents probably doing the same.
I wasn’t enduring the night without backup.
I waited for Vick to buzz me into her apartment lobby and took the stairs two at a time. Better than waiting for the elevator that seemed slower than a sloth on one of its lazy days.
When she didn’t open the door immediately, I pounded on it.
“Give me a minute,” I heard.
A minute for what? I pounded again. “A minute for what? You just buzzed. Let me in."
She opened the door and poked her head out to look down the hall. Then glared at me, her face scrubbed free of makeup. “Rude.”
“Think I care about winning over your neighbors? I don’t like waiting."
She sighed.
I blurted. “I need you with me on Thanksgiving.”
She frowned. “I don’t … I’m sorry. What?”
“I’m going home. My mother’s request. I want you with me.” I walked in as she opened the door fully.
“That’s probably not a superb idea.”
I turned to assess her again. She looked young, cute. No makeup allowed a few light freckles to show on the bridge of her nose. “Did you just shower?”
“Yes.” She bowed her head and then looked toward her living room. “Like I said, I need a minute.”
“For what?”
She waved at her face. “To get ready.”
“We aren’t going anywhere. Stay how you are.”
She cleared her throat and then her hand moved to her neck. “I just ... I’d rather put some makeup on.”
“No.” I blocked her path as she moved towards her hall. I tipped her chin up. “You remember the light in Hawaii? How you thought the sunset changed things?”
“Yes,” she answered quietly.
“It doesn’t. Just like some makeup on your face doesn’t change anything for me either.”
“I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment.”
“Take it how you want. You’re beautiful upside down and fucked or right side up and put together. It’s a waste of time for you to put makeup on now. Especially since I plan to take you in your shower later tonight.”
Her body shuddered. Then she pushed back the wavy blonde hair that fell to the base of her shoulder blades, completely undone. “I didn’t expect you, so my place is a little out of sorts.”
She headed to the living room, and I followed. “I’m not worried about it, Pix. You told me you were staying here for Thanksgiving. I thought I was too. So, come home with me.”