They are so ready to love people and bring them into our world thatit makes for uncomfortable situations whenyouaren’t ready for any of that.
“Were you going to tell me?” Mom asks.
I drop my hand to my side. “You know what? I wasn’t.”
“Holton!”
“Well, I wasn’t. Because it’s just a temporary thing, Mom. I’m not marrying her.”
Oliver sits up. “You know, if you?—”
“Shut up.” I glare at him before turning back to my mom. “She’s a friend of the Landrys. We’re just …”
We’re just what?
Fucking? Talking? Eating pizza in the middle of the night?
I don’t even know anymore.
Mom grins. “You are bringing her tonight, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” Oliver says. “You totally should.”
I ignore them both and mess with my tie instead.
I’d forgotten that tonight was our family outing. It must’ve slipped my mind. Now that Boone has told my mother all about Blaire, it’s no surprise Mom wants me to bring her. But if I do that, this whole thing between Blaire and me gets trickier.
I think.
Actually, fuck if I know.
“I’m not bringing her,” I say even though I’m not sure. Better to not get her hopes up. “Why do we keep having this conversation?”
“We haven’t had this conversion before, Holton.”
“No, but I’ve had it with everyone else, it seems.”
Mom looks offended. “Well, pardon me. I only want to get to know her. If she’s a friend of the Landrys … Wait. Which Landry?”
I sigh. “Does it matter?”
“Yes. If it’s Camilla or Sienna, that’s wonderful news. If it’s Lincoln, then I have reservations.”
“It’s Sienna,” Oliver chimes in.
“Great. Bring her. That’s an order, dear.” She flashes me one final, epic smile and heads to the door. “See you boys later. Love you tons.”
And with that, she’s gone.
Oliver gathers his things from the table. He keeps the corner of his eye trained on me as if he thinks I might bolt across the room and tackle him.
It’s not a terrible idea, really. It would definitely expend some of this energy that’s making it hard to stand still.
“Don’t forget to call Wade, okay?” Oliver asks, heading for the door.
“I’ll call him now.”
Oliver nods. He takes a breath and starts to speak but doesn’t. Instead, he blows the air out.
