The silence is deadly now. All ears, all eyes are zeroed in on the conversation going down over a roasted pig and some root veggies.
My eyes zip around the table and clock Brittany, who’s waiting with amped-up interest to hear my answer. My dad merely looks confused. My aunts also have looks of curiosity smeared across their faces, and all of them are probably wondering why didn’t I say anything. Why didn’t I tell my family I’d started a brand-new position? How could I be such a terrible daughter?
All the focus, all the intensity, makes me want to curl into my roly-poly shell and disappear.
“Well, I just . . .”
Forgot,I was going to say.I forgot. My bad. Sorry. Everyone stop looking at me and put all your attention on Brittany, because that’s what you want to do anyway.
But before any of that can slip past my lips, something happens.
A warm hand glides over my lower back and settles there as if that’s where it lives. My gaze falls to Stone’s arm, which has disappeared behind me.
He holds me like a comforting touchstone, pressing into me lightly, firmly, telling me—with no words, just a feeling—that it’s okay to be seen.
Even when all I want to do is vanish.
I clear my throat. “Well, to be honest, I thought I did mention it, but you must’ve forgotten. I started this week.”
My mom’s face falls. My stomach twists because I know she feels bad now, and because of it,Ifeel awful. It seems disrespectful.
The desire to once again retreat zips through me.
Stone rubs my back, his hand slowly circling. Heat races through my body, zapping me right in my lady parts. My mouth goes dry, and I venture a glance at him.
He’s looking at me. Inches away. His jade eyes project warmth and confidence, silently saying,It’s okay. You’re not trying to hurt her. You’re standing up for yourself.
My insides become molten. That tingling in my girlie region winds its way back up and tightens in my core. Everything inside me wants to collapse onto Stone.
His salty and sun-warm scent that is distinctly him wraps around me. His lips look soft but firm, and his silky hair is just begging for me to wind my fingers around it.
His eyes fall to my lips and my nipples harden. I’m suddenly aware of how close we are, how easily he could lean in—how much I want him to.
Is it polite to make out in front of family?
“Coco?” Mom says loudly, snapping me back.
I drag my gaze from him and focus it on her. “Yes?”
“Well, how is your new job? Do you like it?”
“Yeah. It’s been challenging, but it’s a lot of fun.” I sneak a look at Stone because he is the reason why I’m saying both of those things, and one corner of his mouth ticks up in way that makes butterflies lift from the launchpad of my stomach.
“Well, that’s wonderful. I’m sorry I forgot,” Mom confesses slowly, like praise is something she gives away in coupons and I just cashed mine in for the month.
A tiny bit of pride blooms in me, but a shadow falls at the same time.
It hurts on so many levels.
Brittany clears her throat. I’m not sure if she’s pissed that the attention is off her or if she’s being sincere when she says, “It’s time, y’all. Who wants to play Hide from Brittany?”
Chapter 22
Coco
As soon as Brittany pulls out her phone and begins recording, the game is on.
Not everyone plays, but those of us who do scatter like cockroaches when the kitchen light’s flipped on.
