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I followed Bella through the obnoxious double-door entrance that led into the foyer. It smelled like lavender, vanilla, and lemon Pledge. It smelled like home.
“Jax is back,” Bella announced and led us into the kitchen, where Mom was putting the finishing touches on some bakery trays, and the familiar sound of Tina Turner played in the background.
“Hey, baby.” Mom wiped her hands on her apron and untied it from her waist.
I admired her from behind the breakfast counter. She usually wore her tight dark curls in a ponytail, but she liked to wear them down when she was scheduled for a presentation. She had on red lipstick and some eye makeup that made her green eyes pop even more against her light brown skin. Even though she didn’t give birth to me, I always got comments about how we had the same green eyes. I loved it, and I loved her for being my mom.
However, Evelyn Hayes was not one to be messed with, especially dolled up and sporting one of her pantsuits.
“What’s up, bro?” Alex’s voice boomed from the foyer as he entered the kitchen. He smiled and shoved my shoulder on his way to the fridge. “You heading out soon?”
I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the counter. “I have a few things to pack up first. Someone told me you have something to tell me?” I widened my eyes and stared accusingly between Bella and my brother.
Bella covered her mouth and rolled her eyes in Alex’s direction. She was hiding a toothy grin, and my brother bit his lip.
“You guys finally did it, didn’t you?” I beamed.
A metal serving spoon clanged into the sink making everyone jump.
“Jaxon Reed!” Mom scolded me from across the counter.
“Date!” I added quickly and gestured toward Alex, who was now standing with his arms wrapped around Bella’s shoulders. “They finally decided to date!”
“Mind in the gutter much, Ma?” Alex shook his head, pretending to be disappointed in our mom’s quick outburst.
One glance from Mom warned us not to push her any further. Alex and I were a lot taller than her, but that look was just as scary now as it was when I was looking up at her as a kid.
“I swear the Lord could’ve warned me about having two boys,” she muttered.
“Some girl you met in California, huh?” I teased the happy couple standing in front of me and shook my head. When we were growing up, everyone always told them they should date or at least see where it goes. The way they fit together was just unmatched. They looked perfect together. “It’s about damn time.”
“Alex wanted to tell you in person,” Bella swooned.
Bella had a serious boyfriend when she graduated from high school, and when that didn’t work out, she got into another relationship with a guy from her graduating class at Brown. Alex had dated around and gone out with tons of girls after high school. After he moved to California, I figured their shot was over and done with. It made me happy to see that I was very far off.
I stuck around to hear the story of how Bella went out to the west coast for her cousin's wedding and messaged Alex to see if he was free and if she could crash at his place. One thing led to another, and they decided to give it a shot.
“Three months!” I exclaimed and grabbed a banana off the counter. I wouldn't make it if I didn’t get something in my stomach before this drive back to BG. “You have been dating for three months, and neither of you said a word.” I shrugged. “Damn.”
Three months put them back in October when Maci and I almost hooked up. It seemed like an eternity ago.
“Happy, happy, yes, yes.” Mom waved her hands above the three giant cookie trays in front of her. “I need everyone to grab a tray and place themgentlyinto the trunk of the Range Rover.”
Once Mom's car was packed to the brim with everything she needed for her event, I kissed her goodbye and wrapped my arms tightly around her. She always cried when I left to go back to school, and it always pained me to see her so upset.
“I’ll call you when I get there, okay?” I promised.
“Please be careful. You know how I get when you make that long drive by yourself.” She choked, holding back a few tears.
“I know, Ma. I will.”
She took a deep breath and continued, “This came for you today.” She pulled a letter from her suit jacket, and I immediately recognized the bright red stamp in the bottom left corner.
MAILED FROM
A STATE
CORRECTIONAL
