Rona and Sydney both laughed. "It's not as hard as it seems when they're yours. You love them even when they're doing all those things. And you only want to get rid of them once a day or so."
Dylan smiled at them. She could have sworn she heard Clay sigh in relief, but she couldn't be sure because his mother and sister were talking again.
As they talked, Dylan began to notice the small mannerisms they shared with Clay. He'd probably get annoyed if she pointed it out, so she'd save that little bit of information for a time when he irritated her.
She had to admit that his mother and sister were characters and a lot more outgoing than Clay. After about fifteen minutes, her ears were beginning to ring.
"Okay, okay, it's time to clear out," Clay said, getting to his feet.
"What? Why?" his mother asked.
"Because Dylan looks like she's ready to find the nearest exit or leave a woman-shaped hole in my wall."
"Clay!" they all three said at the same time.
Dylan stared at him with wide eyes. "I can't believe you said that."
"What?" he asked.
"It's rude!" Dylan said.
"Oh, I like her," Sydney commented. "She's not scared of you at all."
Clay glowered at all of them.
"You should be scared of me. I can throw all of y'all out."
His mother crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him with an arched brow.
"Okay, I can throw two of y'all out," he amended.
When his sister and Dylan mirrored his mother, he sighed and threw up his hands.
"Fine, I'll just leave. Enjoy my house. Lock up when you go."
"Is he always such a drama queen?" Dylan asked Sydney and Rona.
"Yeah, but it's cute," Rona said.
Sydney gave her a look and she sighed. The two women got to their feet and so did Dylan.
"Wait, you're all leaving? Really?" Clay asked, sounding shocked.
"It's obvious we're not welcome," Sydney sniffed.
He followed his mother and Rona to the door and grabbed Dylan's arm before she could slide out after them. With one hand on her arm, he hugged his mother and sister, giving them both kisses on their cheeks.
"How about you give me a call before you come over next time and I'll promise to be more excited to see you?" he asked.
"All right," Sydney said. Rona just shook her head.
As soon as they were in their car, Dylan stomped on his bare foot.
"Ouch. Hey!" he said, looking down at her. "Why did you do that?"
She smacked the hand he still had wrapped around her arm. "Let me go, you big ass!"
He released her. "What?"
