AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I let out a surprised laugh. I’m not sure what I expected from Jonah’s family, but this is definitely not it. “I deserve an award for not spitting in his coffee.”
Christine laughs, then pulls me into the kitchen, where there are trays full of meatballs, chicken parm, pasta, bread. Cupcakes are piled high on the counter to the right.
“Wow.”
“I know,” Christine says. “Our mom went overboard.” She’s pretending to be annoyed, but I can hear the love in her voice.
Jonah trails us, looking a little out of place, even in his parents’ home. He nods at the guests, glances at the food, and shoves his hands back into his pockets.
I turn to him. “Would you introduce me to people, please?”
“Sure.” His shoulders lower a little bit, and I decide to stick by him today. For whatever reason, he needs support while he’s here, and he deserves it. “But be prepared for inappropriate comments.”
I see what he means when he finally introduces me to his mother. She’s surrounded by her friends, larger than life, with slightly graying dark hair and a round face. “He finally comes home,” she exclaims. “I never see him.” She shakes her head and glances at her friends, who are looking on disapprovingly. “Not so much as a phone call. And he’s brought a woman.” She presses a hand to her chest. “I’m going to faint from shock.”
“Mom,” Jonah says, in a warning tone. “This is Callie. Please don’t scare her.”
“Callie.” She takes my hands in hers. “Tell me that my son is treating you right.”
“Fucking hell,” Jonah mutters.
“Don’t curse around your mother,” she says sharply, not letting go of my hands. She looks back at me expectantly.
I’m tempted to make a joke about how Jonah only wants to torment me, but instead I just say, “He’s wonderful.”
Jonah lets out a choked sound, but covers it with a cough.
His mother smiles. “He is, isn’t he? I’m so glad he’s bringing a nice girl home. He never does. Well, not since—”
“Mom,” Jonah says more forcefully. She snaps her mouth shut and gives him a disapproving look. What was she about to say? Did he have an ex-girlfriend maybe? Annalise?
Jonah practically drags me away, through the kitchen, out onto the porch. It overlooks a neat backyard with a few trees and a carefully manicured lawn. “She was nice,” I say, partly to needle him.
He snorts. “You know I will never hear the end of this. It’s going to be where’s that nice girl Callie from now until the end of time.”
My smile falls slightly at the implication that I won’t be there. Of course not, Cal. Be serious. This isn’t a thing.
“Coffee?” Jonah is pouring us some from a carafe that’s been set out. “Or there’s hard stuff. But I thought you might want a ride on the motorcycle later.”
“I so do.” I can’t picture Jonah on a motorcycle, but I want to see it for myself.
“What do you think so far?” His question is nonchalant, but his eyes are shadowed. My chest pinches for him. My answer matters.
“I like them,” I say honestly. “I mean, I never had a big family. I always wondered what it would be like growing up in the suburbs, with bikes and neighbors. Did you form a gang with the other boys?”
“Totally. Our old house is just a few streets away.” He’s smiling, holding my gaze, and I feel like we’re the only people in the world.
“Lucky.” I sigh. “Growing up in the city is weird. All that stuff you see in the movies doesn’t happen. No making out in cars, or climbing trees, or having huge sleepovers with all your friends. I mean, my apartment can accommodate exactly two additional bodies.”
Jonah looks thoughtful. “I guess I never thought about it that way. I was so focused on leaving.”
“You’re fortunate,” I say quietly. “I would have loved a sister. Or an annoying brother. Or a mom always in my business.”
His arm lands on my shoulders, heavy and warm, as he tucks me against his side. “When did she leave?”
“You know when she left.”
“I’m sorry for that. That was shitty of me. I was looking for leverage, and I wanted it any way I could get it.”
