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My parents arrive first. Nick and Anne Zaks make their way up the walk, and I smile, thinking of the number of times I’ve seen this sight before. It stings a bit, knowing soon I might not see the two of them together.
My dad looks tired, and he’s thinned out a bit. It must be the treatments. He’s tall like Aiden, the salt and pepper in his hair turning more salt than pepper. His brown eyes match mine and Aiden’s. He’s the parent we resemble most. Anne Zaks has the blonde hair I used to always want, along with the prettiest hazel eyes I’ve ever seen. The only thing I got from my mom was her short stature and curves.
“Hi, Nick and Anne.” Derek is grabbing their bags and helping them in the door.
“Derek, what a lovely surprise.” Dad pulls him into a hug and then comes over to me. “Hello, baby.”
“Hi, Daddy.” I give him a long squeeze. When we pull apart, tears have gathered in my eyes. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m having a good day,” he says. There’s a finality in his tone that warns me that he doesn’t want to talk about it.
Mom comes over and pulls me in for a hug. “Hi, sweetheart. How are things?” Her hazel eyes are watching me with worry.
“They’re going well. Not getting as much done as I thought I would be. Derek just gets in the way,” I tease.
“Really, do I?” He stares at me, his eyebrows raised. “The other night you were just saying that—”
Before he can say another word, I cut him off. “That you need to pick up your shit.”
“Can I take your stuff to your room for you?” Derek asks my parents.
“No, we can do that.” My mom heads down the hallway, my dad in tow.
“What is wrong with you?” I ask him.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your comment earlier?” I remind him.
He snickers. “Relax, I think I could straddle you and no one would say anything.” He pulls me in from behind, placing a kiss at the base of my neck. “It’s going to be fine. Besides, they’re not who I’m worried about.”
I turn in his arms. “Ace?” I ask, and he nods in confirmation. “Relax, I can handle my brother.”
“Oh yeah, because you’ll be the one he’s most interested in talking to.” He releases me and heads into the kitchen.
“Having second thoughts about all of this?” I ask, following him.
“No, I’m not. I just…I don’t know. I don’t want to do anything that jeopardizes the band.”
“I won’t let this ruin the band. I’ll leave you alone if it would come to that.”
“That would be easier said than done.” His voice is low in the empty kitchen. “For me, at least.”
My palms start to sweat. I know my parents are right down the hall and could come out at any moment.
“You’re like the best hit of…”
“Pussy?” I finish for him.
He throws his head back, laughing. “I love to hear you say dirty things. What other dirty things can I get you to say?”
“Derek,” I murmur. “My parents are right down the hall.”
“I know. It’ll be like we’re horny teenagers trying not to get caught.”
“Aren’t we, though?”
“Horny teenagers? Oh, abso-fucking-lutely when it comes to you.”
