Page 78 of Feel It in the Air

Hux stops at the top of stairs, shaking off her comment and centering himself. Whatever inner turmoil is raging inside seems to simmer just below the surface, making my heart ache. My eyes are glued to him, the whole scene playing out like a dark, silent monologue on the stage. Only this is real. The outcome full of actual consequences, with real hearts on the line.

Turning halfway to face us, the brother that both Gus and Willa have described as steady and unflappable looks tortured.

“Just friends,” he repeats. “Because⁠—”

“Yeah, it’s sundown somewhere, we know,” Anton finishes for him, before he can repeat the phrase he’s notorious for.

“Ever stop to think that maybe sundown is currently in your kitchen?” Milo asks, his pointed question lingering for a moment.

“Even Peter Pan chose to grow up at the end,” Willa snarks.

“Don’t you have your own Friendsgiving to be at?” Hux snaps.

“If I remember correctly, little sister, removing your head from your ass required actual surgical intervention, so…” Jace tosses out.

“Buuurn…” Anton says.

Gus turns to me, physically biting back his laugh, causing me to have to do the same. I know I shouldn’t lose it at a time like this, but his family’s antics make it difficult.

Never a dull moment when the Hayes kids are together.

Willa simply shrugs, letting both the jab and the extra commentary slide off her like water off the proverbial duck’s back. “I’ll take that as my cue to go.”

Blowing us each a kiss, she heads back to her car, but no one is paying her any attention. We’re all too focused on Hux, who is standing just outside the front door. Staring at it. Like he’s considering whether or not he should go in.

“You have to turn the handle,” Anton calls out. “That’s the round silver thing about halfway up on the right-hand side.”

Hux flips him off, a move that is so instinctive he does it without the rest of his body moving a muscle. A rather impressive feat. I stifle a giggle, stealing Gus’s attention for a second. He presses a kiss to the top of my head, and I melt into him more. But only for a second.

Because something about Hux’s posture tells me something.

And instantly, I know. That’s my cue.

How, I’m not sure. Whatever it is though, it’s innate. Something inside telling me that this is something that only another woman can help with.

I rock back, looking up at Gus and then over at Milo, the two brothers I know that Hux is closest to. Their matching expressions confirm whatever my notion is. The brief, understanding nod Milo gives me is all the go-ahead I need.

“I got this,” I volunteer, pulling back from Gus. “This kind of thing calls for cheddar hush puppies.”

Squeezing my hand, Gus winks. The sweet, subtle gesture sends butterflies racing through me. His words are what truly level me, however.

“Welcome to the Hayes family, baby.”