I can feel my girl instantly tense at the question, and I know my poor mother just inadvertently walked into a landmine. My inclination is to change the subject, but this is Addison’s story to tell.
“My mom and dad are professors. Dad primarily does research now. They’re at Duke. And my brother recently got engaged.” Addison rattles off their accomplishments, her affect flat, keeping her description of them decidedly neutral. “He’s an engineer. But he’ll probably follow in my parent’s footsteps. I think he’s already accepted a part-time teaching position. They’re all quite academic.” She tucks an invisible hair behind her ear nervously. “I guess I missed out on that gene.”
My mother’s expression falls at Addison’s self-deprecating remark. Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the concern she’s trying to mask. She knows there’s more here than Addy’s willing to divulge. No one wants to meet the parents and dump a sob story on them. My girl is too proud. I hate that her own flesh and blood have done this to her. My shoulders tense as my ire at the situation simmers.
“Don’t let her fool you, Mom. She’s wicked smart. And you should see how cool her shop is.” Picturing her colorful décor, artfully designed cakes and cupcakes, and whimsical quotes posted about the place has me sitting a little taller.
“Oh, I’d love to see it one day. What’s it called?”
A blush dusts Addison’s cheeks, and I snort. My mother and Noah’s wife, Becca, are watching us expectantly as Addy smacks my chest.
“It’s called Sassy Cakes,” Addy shares. “I make all sorts of confections. Some ornate and proper, and some are a little more playful.”
My mom and Becca look at each other, unsure if Add’s answer matches the blush she’s wearing. And I can’t help but snicker again. “Addison speaks her mind and isn’t afraid to be sassy. It’s what I love about her.” Even if she nearly drove me crazy when we first met. “And her cake-decorating skills are unbelievable. But it’s not a fussy shop. Think Alice in Wonderland. She can do anything from a prim and proper all-white multi-tier wedding cake to penis pops for a bachelorette party.”
Addy again pops me, this time on the arm.
“Ouch, slugger.”All eyes immediately dart over to where my rambunctious nephews have been playing, oblivious to our conversation.
“Oh, I love that!” Becca squeals. “Do you have a portfolio?”
“You planning to order some penis pops?” Noah taunts. “I would’ve thought you had enough testosterone floating around our house.
“You can say that again! Addy, please take me back with you. You can put me to work.”
“Trust me. No one is going to buy anything she bakes,” Noah mocks.
“Rude!” Becca sneers. “But true. I can wash dishes and clean.”
“Oh, Becca, you’re welcome anytime. You don’t have to work.” Addy giggles.
“Don’t tell her that. Do you honestly think I can handle those two on my own?” Everyone looks back at the boys. They’re now hanging upside down from the couch, their heads on the floor, trying to kick the other over. The smaller of the two lands a kick on his brother’s junk, and he collapses onto the cushion, moaning as he holds his little family jewels protectively. “Don’t expect grandchildren if you leave me with them, Becca.”
“I’m okay pretending Trevor’s grandkids are ours.” Becca drops her chin in her hands and looks at me and Addison with a dreamy expression. “You guys are going to make such beautiful kids.”
“Whoah there, Nelly.” I interrupt as Addison shakes with laughter beside me.
“Yeah, Becca. Let me plan a wedding before we jump straight to the baby shower!” Mom interjects.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I receive another slap to my chest for my slip of the tongue.
“She’s as bad as Mom,” Noah snorts. “Glad I’m sitting over here.”
* * *
The following morning, we enjoyed a breakfast spread fit for a king. Mom must’ve thought we wouldn’t be back ’til Christmas and so pulled out all of the stops. I haven’t eaten that much food since last Thanksgiving, and it caught up with me. After taking Addison on a tour of my old stomping grounds, I needed to return to the house for a nap. There was no blaming my exhausted state on lack of sleep. Addison stayed in the guest room while I was in my old twin bed. As tempting as it was to cop a feel in my room, I knew it’d be too hard to turn my engine off once Addy got my motor revving. And as much as I wanted her, covering her mouth as I fucked her in my twin bed just wasn’t very appealing.
I wonder how Addison managed to avoid needing a nap? Hopefully, my mother hasn’t bored her to death with monotonous stories from my childhood. Stepping out of the shower, I make quick work of toweling dry so I can check on my girl.
Walking into the kitchen, I predictably find my mother pouring over a photo album with Addison at her side, both nursing steaming cups of joe. I make my way to the coffee pot and fill a mug; the rich scent of the caribou blend my mother always prefers wafts upward, enveloping my senses. I’m hoping the caffeine will carry me through the night at The Zone with my friends. I haven’t been to a real nightclub in ages. But that’s where Mick and Ava wanted to meet.
“Please tell me you haven’t spent my entire nap boring Addy with my life story. And how aren’t you tired after that big breakfast?”
“First, I didn’t eat as much as you. Second, I never get to sleep in. And third, what’s the opposite of boring? “ She giggles. “I’ve laughed and laughed with your mom.”
Uh oh.
“Did you really have dinner on Halloween at a stranger’s house?” Addison cackles.
