“Okay,” Remi said.
Riley reached out and grabbed Remi, pulling him into the house. “You know how to barbecue?”
“I do,” Remi said.
“You know how to make Kaid’s famous barbecue sauce?”
Remi grinned. “I do.”
“You got a problem teaching it to me?”
“I don’t see why. I already gave my mother’s recipes to Richie. I’m more afraid of her than him, to be honest.”
“I would be, too. Come on in, let’s get this party started.”
Remi followed Riley down the hallway as Riley pointed to things as he went. “Living room,” he said, pointing left. “Office where Maia takes care of the books, extra bedroom beyond that,” Riley said, pointing right. “Staircase,” he said with a snicker. “Bedrooms up there. Bathroom in there, under the stairs,” he said, pointing as they passed it. “This is the kitchen,” he said. “We eat all our meals in the kitchen, even formal holiday ones,” he explained as they walked into the kitchen. “Look who’s here, my love,” Riley said.
Maia looked up from where she stirred a pot of something steaming on the stove top. “Remi!” she exclaimed, setting down her spoon and coming toward him. She hugged him tightly, then smiled up at him. “I’m so glad to see you. Glad you’re here.”
“Thank you, Maia. I’m glad to be here.”
“I heard you’ve been busy,” she said.
“I have. But busy is good. I like it. Richie is nice and appreciates the help, so I don’t mind.”
“How is it that you met Richie before we even knew you were here?” she asked, knowing full well how, but wanting to get her point across anyway.
“I got here about three in the morning. I didn’t want to knock that early, so I just parked outside the gates and took a quick nap. Richie woke me up when he was walking to work and asked if I was Remi and if I was, did I know how to cook.”
Maia laughed. “And we all know you can’t have the mother you do without knowing how to cook.”
“Exactly. I figured I’d help out with construction, but I’m actually enjoying the kitchen. It’s a change from what I usually did.”
“Good, I’m glad you’re liking it. But I want to make one thing clear.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Remi said, waiting for Maia to make her point.
“Don’t ever hesitate to knock on this door or come right in here. You’re a part of us. Don’t act like a guest.”
“Further to that point,” Riley said, getting up and going to a pegboard hanging near the back door. He took a key off one of the hooks and handed it to Remi. “This is a key to the house. All of my Pride members have one for whenever they might need access.”
Remi looked at the key clasped between his fingers, then at Cristie, who watched as she slowly chewed her sandwich. She didn’t say a word, or give any indication of her thoughts on him being given a key to her house. “Thank you, Riley. But maybe we should wait on this for a while to see what happens.”
Riley looked at him for a few seconds, then shook his head. “Whether you choose to become a permanent member of this Pride, or go on a path that leads elsewhere, you’ll always be welcomed, and considered family. Keep it.”
Remi nodded awkwardly, then shoved the key down into his pocket. “Thank you, Riley. Really.”
“You’re welcome. Now, what do we need to make that sauce.”
“You got any real good bourbon?”
“I do.”
“Let’s start with that and brown sugar. We’ll add garlic, onion powder, ketchup, Creole mustard, soy sauce, and fresh orange juice and cook that down. While that is cooking we’llmake a spice blend to rub on the meat before we put it on the grill. I’ll show you how to make that, too.”
“Bourbon! I knew it! He said he didn’t use Bourbon!”
Remi laughed.
