“Will your sister be there?”
He huffed. “She sure will. She’ll probably tell you a whole bunch of bullshit about me, but none of it’s true. Don’t listen to her.”
I laughed, wondering what their sibling dynamic was like. Honestly, what the whole family dynamic was like. “How old is she?”
“She’s about to turn twenty-one.”
“Oh wow, that’s a big age gap between you two.”
Hux nodded, a wistful look clinging to his features. “Yeah. my mom and Dad had a hard time gettin’ pregnant after me. And then the ones that did take, she lost pretty early on. They’d given up for a good long while, but then out of the blue, Walker came along.”
I squeezed his hand reassuringly. “My parents struggled too. It’s why they only had me. My mom used to call me their rainbow baby.”
“Mama calls Walker that sometimes too.”
“What else can you tell me about them?” I asked.
He told me everything. Big things, little things. Stories of growing up and everything in between. I listened in relative silence, taking in every detail I could remember as if my life depended on it. I loved how open he felt he could be with me. It was a nice change from how closed off he usually was.
Before I knew it, we were there—stopped before the most beautiful flagstone arch with an ornate wrought-iron gate. I didn’t even get a chance to ask what the gate code was, he just rattled off the numbers to me.
“Wow, this place is beautiful,” I breathed, taking in the gorgeous tree-lined road before us. Twin pastures spanned on either side of the road, and up in the distance loomed a house, though I couldn’t make out major details yet. “What kind of trees are they?” I asked, admiring the purple blooms that hung from the branches and littered the ground.
“Jacaranda,” Hux replied. “Mama’s favorite color's purple, so Dad had ‘em planted.”
I glanced at him, noting the soft, almost contemplative look on his face. It’s almost like he was remembering it all in his mind.
My heart clenched as I thought of how hard it must be. Remembering all of these places and sights, but not getting to see them anymore. Even then, I couldn’t imagine it. Grabbing his hand, I squeezed it gently. He squeezed back before lifting my hand up to his lips and kissing the back of my knuckles.
The main house came into view as I drove further down the drive—a pretty flagstone ranch style home with large windows and a red tin roof.
I hadn’t even fully put the car in park when the front door opened, three figures gathering onto the front porch. A wave of nervousness settled around me. I wasn’t usually so anxious meeting people. Maybe it was the fact that his parents had seen me in videos online. I wondered what they thought about me? About the fight? Had they seen it? I’m sure they had.
As if sensing my anxiety, Hux reached over and wrapped a hand around the back of my neck, pulling me towards him. “They’re right outside, aren’t they?”
I blew out a breath. “Yeah.”
“Figures. Mama’s probably been watchin’ the drive for the last half hour.” He brushed his lips against mine softly. “They’re gonna love you, Quinn. I promise.”
The way he said my name sent a shiver through me. “How do you know?”
“Because I love you.”
Okay, well, heart completely melted and worriesmostlyeased. How did he know exactly what I needed to hear in that moment?
An I love you of my own nearly tumbled out of me, but I bit it back. It wasn’t because I didn’t feel that way or I was afraid to say it, but the helpless romantic in me wanted to drop that little bombshell back on him at the perfect moment.
So, I kissed him instead, with enough intensity and love that I hoped showed what I hadn’t repeated aloud.
If the appreciative hum that rumbled from him was any indicator, I’d say mission accomplished.
We got out of the car, and I found my way to his side once more as we walked toward the house. It’s like he knew exactly where everything was and didn’t have any trouble navigating across the gravel drive to the porch steps.
We’d only barely made it up the last step when Hux’s mom exploded from her spot by the front door, wrapping Hux in a tight hug. “Oh, I’ve missed you,” she said, before pulling back to hold him at arms’ length and look up at his face. “My goodness, look at you. You look like a grizzly bear with all that hair and scruff. When are you gonna cut it all off, Huxson?”
Hux laughed. “Hi to you too, Mama.” He looked my way and held out his hand. I grabbed it reassuringly, intertwining my fingers. “This here’s my girlfriend, Quinn…. Quinn, this is my Mama, Dorothy.”
I smiled. “Hello there, Mrs. Lane. It’s nice to meet you.”
