Scarlett steps up next and bends to embrace me. “It’s our pleasure. We’re just glad you’re able to be here and that we found a day that worked for everyone’s schedules.”
With that, Walker comes bouncing over with a reserved Gemma by her side. Her shyness is something Scar and Bennett told me is really only around me. Jax has said she’s a littlefirecracker around everyone else, so I’ve made it my mission to get her to loosen up around me.
“Hey, sis. I can’t wait to spend the night with you while the boys are away next week,” Walker says, sitting on the arm of my chair and squeezing me to her chest.
“I’m looking forward to one of your breakfast smoothies. I’ve tried and failed multiple times attempting to recreate the one you made me last week,” I admit, wincing when I think of how badly the last one turned out.
The door opens again, and when I look to see who else is joining us, I’m surprised as hell to see Enzo Calvetti in our home. I mean, Jackson told me that the two of them hashed out their differences about a week ago after they lost one of their games, but I didn’t think their reconciliation meant he’d be joining us for Friendsgiving.
When I feel Walker stiffen beside me, I look up at her and see I’m not the only one shocked to see Calvetti.
“What’s he doing here?” she whisper-hisses.
I shrug my shoulders. “I’m just as surprised as you are.”
“I highly doubt that,” she mutters.
Biting the inside of my cheek so I don’t laugh, I murmur, “I guess he and Jax must’ve kissed and made up.”
Enzo looks over the room and when his gaze lands on Walker, he puts his hands in his pockets and lifts his chin at her.
“Oh, fuck no! Is he for real?” Walker stands abruptly and storms into the kitchen.
While I’m not entirely up to speed on what’s happening there, I do know the two of them were both onBallroom Battles, the competition show Walker was a professional dancer for this spring and Enzo was her celebrity partner. They made it to the finals and were the runner-ups, but there was heavy speculation that the two were doing the tango on and offstage, if you know what I mean.
At one of our sleepovers while the guys were on the road, I asked Walker about it, and she brushed it off, saying her agent told her to lean into the speculation for more votes. What she didn’t realize is the two of them sold it maybe a little too well . . . So much so that her brothers were apparently ready to hop on a plane to LA to confront Enzo about his ten-year age gap with their “baby sister.”
Whatever did or didn’t happen is none of my business unless Walker wants to confide in me, and I’ve reminded her that I’m here for her if and when she needs me. Last week she mentioned she’s been seeing someone new, so I guess we shall see.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when Gemma shyly waves at me.
“Hey, Gems! It’s so good to see you.”
“Hey, Taevin. You too!”
Jax mentioned Bennett has been giving Gemma guitar lessons for the past year and that she was a talented songwriter, though she kept it under wraps. I don’t want to overstep, but I think she’d get a kick out of seeing the home studio Jax built for me so I wave her closer and murmur, “I hear you like to play the piano and guitar. Can I show you something?”
Her cheeks heat but she nods her head in reply. I lift from my chair, albeit slow as hell, and hold my hand out for her.
She helps me down the stairs into the basement, and when I turn the lights on in the music studio, Gemma lets out a gasp that makes me internally squeal in delight.
I trudge along, showing her around the space and pointing out different equipment, loving the opportunity to take her under my wing, even if only for a moment. I’m suddenly the most creatively energized I’ve been in months, and I’d love nothing more than to hole up in the studio with her for hours.
“If you have some time during your winter break next month, we could record something if you’re up for it.”
“Oh my gosh, are you serious?!” Gemma squeals. I don’t even try to stop the smile that mirrors hers.
“Absolutely,” I assure her.
“I’d seriously love that,” she replies, and I clap in excitement at the prospect of working with her.
Once we get back upstairs, it’s as if the main level has been transformed. A second table has appeared out of nowhere and is set with dinnerware matching our dining room set. The entire kitchen island is overflowing with food and appetizers, complete with a turkey cooked to perfection in the center.
I gasp. “You guys, this is amazing!”
Jax rounds the table he was setting and pulls me into his arms. “Scar had the idea to host a Friendsgiving last season and we decided to make it a tradition.”
Scar chimes in, “This year we wanted to bring it to you so you didn’t have to worry about traveling. This way, if you get tired you can lay down in your own bed.”
