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“Cam said we’re going to family dinner tonight,” Sky stated, entering the kitchen.
“We always have family dinner on Sundays. You’re family. Why wouldn’t you come with me?” I asked.
“Macklen,” her head fell to the side, slightly annoyed. DuPont Falls rules said we couldn’t be a family, but after damn near dying for some shit that didn’t have anything to do with her, I dared a motherfucka to challenge me on that.
“This is for you,” I grabbed the folder from the drawer and slid it across the counter to her.
She hesitated for a moment before flipping it open and examining the contents. She looked so cute, intently reading each line, and I could tell she finally reached the numbers by the way her eyes ballooned and shot toward me.
“Mack, what is this?”
“You can read, can’t you?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I don’t.”
“Where did this come from?”
“Consider it a blessing for your pain and suffering.” Quest ensured that the million upfront was delivered on time because he didn’t want to see me again. Not under those circumstances.
Skylar had healed physically, but emotionally, she was still dealing with the effects of that night. It was hard to sleep, and when she could fall asleep, she’d wake up in the middle of the night in sweat from reliving that night. Since I didn’t kill Morgan like I wanted, I decided they’d finance Skylar’s new life.
“You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to. The money is yours, and once the casino is up and running, you’ll get a cut wired directly to that account monthly. You and Cam are set for life unless you blow through this shit.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I love you, and yes, I’ll move in with you,” I offered as an option, but her gaze narrowed, and I attempted to smile my way out of it. “I guess you have to go to dinner with me now.”
“Wow, it’s been all of five minutes, and you’re already using what you’ve done for me to get your way.”
“If that’s what it takes. I never had to work so hard to do nice things for a woman. I don’t know what else to do.”
“You’re used to women groveling at your feet.”
“Groveling is a bit dramatic. Just let me love you, Skylar.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder. We’re leaving in an hour.” Pecking her lips, I left Skylar in the kitchen to overthink the numbers on the paper and our relationship.
It was usually the other way around. Women wanted to meet my family because it gave them a false sense of validation that things were more important than they were. I wanted Skylar to know she was important. I wanted her and Cam both in my life for the long haul.
This week's dinner was at my parents’ house, which offered Skylar some solace, but she was still nervous. That and the fact that Hailo would also be present. Skylar spent most of the commute quietly in her head, while Cam was the opposite. She was in the back seat, trying to convince me to let her get in the big pool at my parents’ house. I thought about letting her, but Skylar shot me the evil eye.
Helping Skylar out of the car, I kissed her forehead, reminding her she would be fine. Cam wanted one too, so I scooped her in my arms and kissed her cheek in a way that made her giggle as we made our way to the door. We followed the sound of voices to the kitchen, where my mom and aunts were preparing dinner.
“Hey, family.” I went around the room, greeting each of them with a hug. “This princess is Cam, and this is Skylar.” I introduced parking next to Skylar, who hadn’t moved since we entered the kitchen.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet everyone,” she smiled, waving nervously.
“I see we’re letting anybody come to family dinner these days,” Sophia mumbled, crossing her legs.
“Don’t start tonight,” Xora warned like always while my mother followed up with kindness.
“Skylar is more than welcome. Hey Cammy!” She greeted Skylar with a hug before bending to pinch Cam’s cheek.
