This is how it ended. His career. His plans. Because he would murder his sister and go to jail, for forever and ever.
“It was a whole thing in kindergarten,” his dad added.
“You’re one to talk, Courtney.” Linx shoved his hands on his hips. “You peed your pants on the school playground when you were six.”
Becca’s gaze ping ponged between his family and the butler's pantry like they were in the world championship ping-pong tournament.
Courtney’s eyes went huge. “You went there. In front of your new girlfriend? Who just met me?”
Becca interrupted the family bickering, saying, “I think—”
“She was busy playing.” Mom stepped in to quell the hurricane force brewing between her kids. “And Cedric had an intense oral fixation. He grew out of it.”
Becca’s mouth parted, but one short, “ha,” emerged from her lips.
She totally knew he’d never grown out of it. He just got better at hiding it and not shoving his thumb in his gullet.
“Mom.” Linx gave a headshake. “Stop.”
“I’m just saying.” Mom waved a hand.
Dad brushed his hands together. “Your mom is right.” His gaze trailed to the missing shirt sleeve on Linx’s right arm. “Where’s your sleeve?”
“It’s the new style,” Mom said. “Everyone knows.”
Courtney widened her eyes in Linx’s direction and drew air circles near her ear with her finger. Becca clearly tried to pinch back her smirk. She failed, but at least her color had returned to normal.
“Since Linx has company, we should grab some dinner and give them time alone.” Dad rubbed his hands together and headed for the door. “They wouldn’t let me eat real food until you got here.”
“We also wouldn’t let him grab something quick at the airport,” Courtney said to Becca.
“Because it’s never quick with him,” Mom continued.
Could somebody just make it stop already?
“You think you know everything,” Dad hollered behind him.
Mom started back toward the living room. “Because most of the time I do.”
“Do we get to meet your family while we’re here?” Courtney asked, now that all attention was back on Becca. “We could have them over for dinner while we’re in town?”
Becca slid her gaze to Linx, eyes wide. “I guess.”
“One step at a time, yeah?” Linx asked, herding his family toward the front door, and, hopefully, their exit.
“This is fun.” Dad practically danced a jig out the door.
Thank God, Mom followed him. “I think you’re embarrassing them, Hank.”
“I know we are.” Courtney turned to look over her shoulder and blew a kiss to him and Becca. “We’ll let ourselves in after we eat.”
“You could get a hotel,” Linx muttered, but they all knew he didn’t mean it.
“What would be the fun in that?” Courtney asked, pulling the door behind her. “See you lovebirds in the morning.”
“Oh, I won’t—” Becca said, but the door clicked closed before she could finish whatever she was going to say.
With the family gone, Gibson stuck his head out from his hideout under the sofa, seeming to check that the coast really was clear.
