AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Get some food, and come join us,” Stella invites.
“She doesn’t have to tell me twice,” I mutter as I lead Sid over to the buffet under a tent. “The family is so big now, Sam and Leo have to put up this tent for the food. They didn’t use to when I was a kid.”
“Do they rent it?”
“Hell no. They bought the tent and all the tables and chairs, and Leo had a shed built to store it all in. There’s always a crew of us family that comes before the party to help set up. Those who don’t set up stay to tear down.”
“Looks like we’ll be staying to tear down,” she says as she slaps some potato salad onto her plate.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“We will stay and help.” Her voice leaves no room for argument.
“Yes, ma’am.”
With full plates, we walk over to join Stella and Gray.
“Why are you two all alone?” Sid asks.
“Everyone else is playing volleyball,” Gray says. “We decided to play the winners.”
“You think you’re that good, huh?” I ask him as I sit and dig into a rib.
“Gray played in college,” Sidney says with pride in her voice. “He was kind of a big deal.”
“Did you play beach volleyball in those little Speedos?” Stella wants to know.
“No.”
“Too bad.” Stella shrugs a shoulder and turns her attention back to her food. “Did you guys just get here?”
“Yeah,” Sidney says. “I was nervous, so I dragged my feet getting ready.”
“Why are you nervous?” Stella asks, but Gray just smiles at his sister.
“Because we’re at Leo’s house,” he answers for her. “And Leo is probably her all-time biggest hero.”
“Aside from Dolly, yes,” Sidney confirms. “I don’t want to make an ass out of myself.”
“Oh, you won’t.” Stella waves that off. “Trust me, everyone here is normal. You know that. You’ve already met everyone, including Leo.”
“I know, it’s just…different. I don’t usually get starstruck. Hardly ever, in fact. But this one makes me a little weird.”
“We all have that one,” Stella says with a nod.
“Who’s yours?” Gray wants to know. “I figured you’d be immune to celebrities.”
“Let’s clarify something first,” Stella says. “Are we talking about celebs we can have a hall pass for or just celebs that we love and might have a meltdown if we ever met them?”
“Wait, are you saying that my uncle Leo is your fucking hall pass?” I scowl down at Sidney, who just grins up at me.
“I’m pleading the fifth.”
“That’s just disturbing,” I mutter.
“Either one,” Gray says, responding to Stella’s question.
“Okay, my hall pass is Paul Rudd.” She waggles her eyebrows.
“He could be your father,” Sidney says in horror.
“But he’s not,” Stella reminds her. “Besides, I’m pretty sure my uncle Leo could be yours.”
“Stop grossing me out while I’m eating,” I complain, making them all laugh.
“Okay, who’s your hall pass?” Sidney asks me.
“I don’t have one.”
“That’s right, Keaton doesn’t like celebrities,” Stella says with a grin and turns to her fiancé. “What about you?”
“I have the woman of my dreams,” he replies easily. “I don’t need a hall pass.”
“Okay, that was a good answer,” Sidney says with a grin. “Look at my brother, being all smooth and charming.”
“It’s a talent,” Gray replies with a laugh.
“Hi, you guys.” Aunt Samantha approaches our table, a big smile on her face. My aunt Sam is one of my favorite people in the world. She and Leo didn’t have kids. So, instead, they mentor and treat all of us cousins as if we’re theirs.
It doesn’t suck.
“How was the food?” she asks.
“Damn good,” I reply. “What’s for dessert?”
“Your aunt Nic brought a million cupcakes.” She winks at me and then sets her hand on Sidney’s shoulder. “Hey, Leo and Brax and a few others are up in the studio, jamming. They just called down and asked me to send you up there, Sid.”
Sidney’s jaw drops. “Oh, I don’t think—”
“Don’t be stupid,” I whisper in her ear. “That’s awesome. You should go up.”
She swallows hard and looks back up at Sam. “Are you sure they want me up there? I don’t want to interrupt.”
“Honey, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but you’re kind of a big deal in Nashville.” Sam’s eyes sparkle as she steps back so Sidney can stand up from the table. “They absolutely want you to join them.”
Sid looks down at me. “You’re coming with me. I’m too nervous to go up there alone.”
“Keaton knows the way,” Sam says with a wink. “Have fun. Then come down and play for the rest of us.”
Sidney looks shell-shocked as Sam walks away.
“Is this really happening?”
“No sleeping with Uncle Leo,” Stella throws out there. “Hall passes aren’t real.”
That makes Sidney laugh. “Thanks. I needed that laugh. Okay, here we go. Wait, I’ll follow you. I don’t know where I’m going.”
“I’ll lead the way.”
I take her hand and lead her back into the house and past the kitchen, where several family members have congregated. No matter whose house we’re partying at, the kitchen always seems to be the center of the action.
