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Seth and Hunter slam the doors shut as soon as their butts are inside. “What the fuck are you waiting for?” Seth says shakily while rubbing his hands together. “Let’s go before the weather gets worse and we’re forced to stay in this hell hole.”
I watch Alex clench his jaw, his hands tightening on the steering wheel as he backs out of his parking spot. I know, just based on that look, that he’s fighting a retort. Thankfully, he chooses not to say anything and I get to cheerfully inform Alex about my time with Hunter and his dad while Alex drives all of us back to his parent’s place.
“What does your dad think about you quitting the NFL?” Alex asks right when my phone buzzes.
I pull it out of my coat and frown down at the name on the contact reading:Dad.I open the message and my frown deepens as I read:Hey! I hope your flight landed alright. Just wanted to make sure we’re still on for dinner tonight. I know your mom is trying to keep you from me. Just let me know if the plan has changed or if you want me to pick you up. Are you staying with your mother?
My phone buzzes again and I stifle a groan as my eyes widen on the next contact that surfaces reading:Mom.I grimace while opening that message, instantly wishing I ignored it as I read:Hey, honey! Just wanted to check to see if you landed okay. Bryan is so excited to meet you. Do you think you could come over tonight instead? He’s pretty busy tomorrow. Has a huge project due. It would be nice if he could finally meet you.
My phone buzzes again. It’s another message from Mom and this time I do groan when I see:Don’t let your father pressure you into anything. You’re your own woman. If you don’t want to have a microwaveable dinner with him, that’s your prerogative. Besides, Bryan can take us to La Grenouille.
“What is it?” Hunter asks while I stuff my phone back into my pocket, deciding I will deal with that mess later.
“Nothing,” I murmur while shaking my head.
Thankfully, no one asks me again and I allow myself to drift in and out of Hunter and Alex’s conversation. It’s not long until Alex is parking the car inside a small garage attached to his family’s townhouse. He opens the door for me and I giggle as he takes my hand, as if he’s my fancy chauffeur.
“My lady,” he says in a low tone.
Alex guides us inside the house and, once again, I am presented by the beautiful grandeur of it all. Last time the bros and I were here, was for the Goodes′ New Year’s Eve Party and I was struck with the same amount of awe as I am now. I slowly step up the staircase. My hand slides against the banister while I gaze at the chandelier hovering above us. The townhouse looks so small from the outside, but inside it’s absolutely huge. It’s at least three stories.
“Should I give you the grand tour?” Alex asks as soon as we reach the second floor. “Or do you want to unpack first?”
“We’ve already been here,” Seth says while dropping his backpack onto the floor. “We don’t need a grand tour.”
“Fine.” Alex rests his hands on his hips and scowls at Seth. “You don’t get one. You can stay in your room while I take Hunter and Rachel around the place. Maybe we’ll finally get up to some fun with you out of the way.”
Seth bristles, his face flushing deep red and his hands fisting at his sides. I guess the teasing and the bickering has reached a whole new level for them. Part of me feels bad for Seth. Alex’s words were pretty harsh, but Seth has been picking a fight with Alex since they came into contact with each other.
“Why don’t you show me my room,” I say while stepping between them.
Alex beams and loops his arm around mine. “I’d be happy to.”
Before Alex can guide the way, I hear the sound of clacking on the tiles and turn around, finding Alex’s mom striding towards us. She’s a thin, waif-like woman with dyed brown hair and blue eyes that remind me of Alex. She smiles at us, her eyes glinting with joy as they land on me. I can’t help but compare this woman to Lucas’s mother. It’s probably because they dress similarly—kinda like the Kennedy’s. Her attire is so classic politics with her white pencil skirt and her matching white suit jacket. I don’t know anyone who would dare to wear all white. I know I certainly wouldn’t. I would get paint or ink all over myself. And obviously she’s wearing some designer she’s had perfectly tailored to her body. I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than fifteen dollars on an outfit.
“Rachel,” Alex’s mom says as she stops in front of me and takes my hands. “It’s so good to have you here again. I hope the flight was well?”
“It wasn’t bumpy,” I say awkwardly, not knowing how to answer that question.
Alex’s mom nods. “Good.” She turns to Hunter and Seth, her smile just as cheerful and genuine. I wonder if she overheard Alex and Seth arguing, but if she did, she definitely hid it well. “It’s so good to see you boys again. I don’t know if we’ll be able to have everyone over like this once Alex graduates.”
“Mom,” Alex groans while his mother sniffs and wipes her eyes. She’s actually crying. I’m so shocked. One minute she’s smiling and then next minute she’s bursting into tears.
“Sorry,” his mom rasps. “I can’t believe my little boy is all grown up.”
Alex rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
His mom chuckles and runs her hands over her skirt. “Alright, now that I’m done embarrassing you, I guess I should meet your father at that charity event at the Gala. You know how he hates tardiness.” She gives Alex a stern look and wags her finger at him. “Behave? I don’t want to see any crazy parties going on when I come home.”
“That was one time six years ago,” Alex shouts while his mother continues past us, already walking down the stairs.
“And I will never forget it!”
Alex lets out an exasperated sigh and turns around just as the front door clicks close on his mother. “Alright, let’s go,” he says while tugging me after him.
Hunter and Seth get their own rooms not far from mine, each one about the same size with the same white walls and blue drapes. My room is in the far corner, and is by far the biggest out of the three with, of course, a canopy bed. However, the comforter isn’t pink like I expected. Like the rest of the room, it’s pristinely white and looks like the slightest movement or touch will immediately mar the sheets.
Alex jumps into the bed, immediately wrinkling the covers while he watches me roll my suitcase inside. He puts his arms behind his head and watches me unpack. “How do you like the room?”
