AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Eight
Holden
I had fucked up. Even though Emery scared the shit out of me and I’d had a moment of panic, my rudeness was uncalled for. I wasn’t interested in Holly or Sienna. Emery was right. Holly might’ve been willing, but I wasn’t.
The force of my panic when Emery had walked out was nothing like the blip from earlier. It’d been all I could do to keep from running through the restaurant after her.
How could someone so much shorter than me walk that fast? Was it a nurse thing?
I parked in front of her house. I almost needed a moment, like getting ready before a big game. But she was at her front door, waiting for me before she went inside when she would’ve been justified to tell me to fuck right off.
There was a little red sedan in front of where I parked at the curb. I was meeting her fucking mother. I hadn’t met a date’s mother since Teagan and I started dating in college. At least I was dressed decently.
Emery didn’t open the front door until I reached her. “You ready?”
No. I had another urge to run. Then I recalled having to chase her down in the parking lot. I was doing this. “Let’s do it.”
We went inside. Her house was warm compared to the crisp late evening air. Lynnie was on the couch with Avery and both of them stared at me. Recognition flared in Lynnie’s eyes and her mouth dropped open. I’d seen her around town, but here I was, with her daughter. I hadn’t met a date’s parent inyears, and the last time I had, I’d been easy enough for them to cut out of their life.
“What’s he doing here?” Avery asked with blunt curiosity.
Her question snapped me out of the past. “I heard you’re watching a show and I wanted to crash girls’ night.”
Her eyes lit up as she directed her gaze to Emery. “I get to watch a show with you?”
Emery nodded. “Why don’t you go pop a couple bags of popcorn while I check on the others?”
Avery let out a squeak and scrambled off the couch.
“Mom, you know Holden Barron?”
Her mom dipped her head, but questions simmered in her gaze. “Nice seeing you outside the co-op.”
“Nice to officially meet you, Lynnie.”
“I’ll be right back.” Emery disappeared up the stairs, leaving me alone with her mother.
Awkwardness descended. My last name could be intimidating to those who didn’t know my family well—and to those who did. I struggled to find something to talk about. “You work at the seed co-op?”
Lynnie looked surprised I recognized her. “Yes, I’m their office manager. I moved to town when Emery was in college.”
Ten years was long enough to hear all the same things about my family that everyone else had. I kept saying I didn’t care what was said about me, but the anxiety chewing away in my stomach said otherwise. “Laney gets the co-op’s seed for her chickens. Best damn eggs I’ve ever tasted.”
Lynnie chuckled. “I was happy to hear she’s going to keep the egg business alive. Have a seat, Holden.”
Relieved the ice was broken, I took the rocker-glider. Emery came down the stairs, but turned down the hallway. It was like she couldn’t do anything else until she checked on the other three. So much different from how Nora and I had grown up.
A cacophony of pops emanated from the kitchen. The microwave door opened and shut and started again. I remembered nuking popcorn for me and Nora when Mom was on a date. It’d been the shit. We hardly went to the movies, so microwave popcorn was the next best thing.
Emery appeared at the edge of the hallway. She had changed into plaid flannel pants and a loose white T-shirt, but she’d kept her hair down. Cute as hell. “Want anything to drink? We’ve got juice and water. Maybe some mineral water if Avery and Landon haven’t drunk it all.”
“Water’s fine. Need a hand?” I was the entertainer in the family. It was weird just sitting.
“No, you’re fine.” She vanished again, and it was me and Lynnie. I launched into small talk with her, mostly asking if she watched Landon’s football games and how she liked Coal Haven.
She’d moved to Coal Haven for the job, and she loved it here, but it was even better now that Emery and the kids were in town.
Emery reappeared with Avery, carrying bowls of popcorn and glasses of water. I got my own bowl and water while they shared a big bowl on the couch with Avery tucked between Emery and her grandma.
