Chapter 29
Dinner was over and Mrs. Del Rio had them gather in a large sitting room for drinks, pie and all sorts of other goodies. The kids were running around and the mood was as festive as it should be at a big Thanksgiving dinner party.
After what happened, Rob only wanted to stick close to Julian, never leave his side. But he could tell that Christie was getting ready to put him in a headlock if he didn't give her a few minutes of his time so she could chew him out.
Rob kissed Julian on the cheek then went off with her to a quiet spot to talk.
"I still don't understand what happened. That guy you decked came back. It's all so crazy." Christie wore a disapproving frown, but Rob knew she always worried if he found himself mixed up in any kind of trouble.
"He set off his car alarm to lure Julian out there, and it looks like he planned to kidnap him." The more Rob thought about what Thayer meant to do, the more furious he got and Christie could tell.
"It's over. Take it easy now," she told him.
"He should be grateful I didn't kill him," Rob growled.
"Stop that and act civilized."
"He attacked Julian," Rob told her. That simple fact was enough for him to want to end that guy.
"You really are insanely protective of Julian," Christie said, shaking her head at him. "And not just you. Rico was all, 'Hey, girlie. Lay off my buddy, Jules.' And something about Noreen being spoken for."
"Rico," Rob grumbled. "I'll deal with him later, but I kind of agree. Lay off Julian."
"I have nothing against him, but I admit I wasn't happy he brought you here. Before I came to visit, I thought this place would be stifling. That you'd be lonely here. I had this idea to come over here to kick your ass and drag you back home, but I guess I don't need to," she said with a sheepish smile and Rob scoffed.
"You mean you can't," he told her defiantly.
She sighed. "I know you just want to live your life. Finally. That's what I want for you too."
"I guess then you approve of me staying here," Rob said and nudged her with his elbow.
She wasn't willing to go that far. "I didn't say that. I would miss you too much."
"I'll miss you too, but you can come and visit. From what I hear, they have one of these festivals every other week or something," Rob told her.
"I could probably be tempted to come over and stuff my face. And there are some pretty great people here," she said and craned her neck to look over his shoulder at everyone.
"I noticed that," Rob said and smiled in Julian's direction.
"I don't mean just Julian. Other people exist, you know," Christie said.
"He's all I see," Rob told her and he probably wore a goofy smile. He couldn't help it.
She sighed then smiled. "I didn't even know you had this side to you. Just be happy, OK."
"I will," Rob told her and gave her a hug.
"So confident. Damn, Rob. You're going to make your sister cry," she said and pushed him off.
"You're the best sister," Rob told her. He was glad they got to talk. But now he was wondered how long he would have to wait to get some time with Julian.
Rob didn't get to be alone with him until they went home and Danny was in bed. As soon as the door to Julian's bedroom was closed behind them, they flew into each other's arms. Now that Julian was finally in his arms, Rob held him tight, tighter than he meant to, but he couldn't help it.
"I'm so glad you're OK," Julian said, surprising Rob by saying what he was thinking.
"You're OK. That's all that matters to me," Rob told him and stroked his dark hair.
"I don't know what would have happened if you didn't show up." Julian drew back and frowned at him. "But you were reckless."
