Chapter Fourteen
Roxanne was sitting at the kitchen table, finalizing the details for the Rollins event.
Only a few more weeks and she’d be rid of this woman forever.
She had her laptop set up and papers spread across the table, taking up every inch of space.
And it’s not even mine. Jonah insisted on her coming over and said she could work at his place.
It would’ve been easier to stay in the office, but she wanted to be with him.
It marked the third night in a row she stayed over.
The last time, she’d brought over a change of clothes and went to work straight from his house.
None of the boys seemed to mind. Not even Cord, though he wasn’t happy with her when she took the last onion bagel.
Apparently, his favorite too. Roxanne made a point to replenish the bagels the following day and bought extra onion.
That seemed to appease him. If her presence was bothersome to either of them, they were very good at hiding it.
“I’ll clean this up in ten minutes, I promise,” she said, transferring the seating chart to the main file.
“No offense, but I got bigger plans than hanging out with my brother and his girlfriend on a Friday night,” Cord said.
Jonah nudged Cord out of the way and passed by the table. “Take your time. We’ll order food when you’re done.”
Cord scoffed. “Bro, you sound like an old married couple saying shit like that.”
Roxanne smiled. Was that such a bad thing? She zoned out of the brothers' banter as it continued. Roxanne was focused on getting her work done as quickly and efficiently as possible.
She wasn’t even aware of the swinging door from the hallway opening until she heard Holden’s voice.
“What do you think? Blue or gray?” Holden asked.
“Blue,” Jonah and Cord spoke in unison.
“No, not you guys.” Holden paused. “Rox?”
She glanced up to find him standing in front of the table, holding up two shirts on hangers. “Which one?”
They were similar shirts with different collars. Both colors could work on Holden. She cocked her head to the side. She needed more information to make a final decision.
“What’s the occasion?”
“Homecoming.”
Roxanne straightened in her seat, practically giddy. She’d gone to all four in high school and had so much fun. She had the best memories. “When is it?”
“Tonight.”
What? She jerked her head to Jonah. “You didn’t tell me it was Holden’s Homecoming tonight.”
Jonah furrowed his brows, glancing at his brother. “I didn’t think the dance was a big deal.”
Roxanne gasped and shot up from the table. “It’s not just a dance, Jonah. It’s Homecoming.” She waved her hand toward Holden. “His last one. It most certainly is a big deal. This is a night he’ll remember forever.”
Cord snorted. “Only if he gets laid.”
Roxanne narrowed her gaze. “This night is special. Along with every other event he’ll have his senior year. And it has nothing to do with sex.”
“I’m not opposed to sex being part of my senior year.” Holden said.
Cord burst out laughing and she rolled her eyes. Jonah had the decency to contain his amusement but she noticed his lips twitching.
Roxanne drew in a breath and turned to Holden. “What time are you leaving?”
His gaze drifted over her head to the wall. “About an hour.”
An hour? That wasn’t nearly enough time. They’d have to hurry. She circled the table, grabbing Holden’s wrist and rushed out the door, heading to the stairs.
“You need something nice to wear.”
“Jonah’s clothes won’t fit me.”
No shit.
Jonah’s wasn’t an option. But he had two brothers. When she reached the landing, she walked straight into Cord’s room.
“He won’t let me wear his clothes, Rox.”
“That’s why we’re not asking him.”
She made a beeline for his closet. For all Cord’s downsides, fashion wasn’t one of them.
Thank God. She sifted through his closet, pulling out a shirt.
Surprisingly, he had an array of ties, and she grabbed a few, matching them up with the shirt.
Had she had more notice, she would’ve come up with a better color scheme for Holden.
At least there were options. She tossed the green tie over the shirt.
“There you go.”
“A tie? Nobody is gonna wear a tie.”
“Which is exactly why you’re going to. While everyone else put in the bare minimum, you went all out, making it known to your date that you put in the effort because she’s worth it.”
His brows dipped in a severe scowl. “She’s gonna get all that from a tie?”
She flattened her lips, keeping her smile at bay. It was moments like these that she really wished she’d grown up with a younger brother. She patted his chest and started toward the door.
“Yes, trust me. Now get changed.”
Roxanne walked out of the room, closed the door and started down the stairs. She rounded the banister and walked into the kitchen.
Jonah tossed the rag onto the counter and leaned back, folding his arms.
“How’d it go?”
Roxanne sucked in a breath and clasped her hands. “We shall see.”
A few minutes later, Holden came into the kitchen. He immediately looked at her for approval.
“It’s perfect! You look great.”
“Hey, that’s my fucking shirt,” Cord snapped and charged forward. “And my tie.”
She stepped in front of Cord. “And it looks great on Holden, doesn’t it?” Without even asking, she unraveled Holden’s attempt at doing his tie. The room was silent, but she felt all eyes on her. She stepped back, checking out the completed look.
Perfect!
“Where are they taking pictures?”
When everyone remained silent, she glanced around at the brothers. Holden stared at her as if she’d grown another head.
“Pictures?”
She knitted her brows and looked at Jonah. He shared the same expression as Holden, and he shrugged. Did none of them know what she was talking about?
“You’re going with a group, right?” she asked Holden.
“Yeah.”
“So, usually everyone gets together for pictures. Ask your date. She’ll know.”
Holden grabbed his phone, texting.
“The park on Elm Street at seven-thirty.”
She took in the time then veered her gaze to the table.
Roxanne had another hour or two of work.
If she didn’t get it done, she’d be dealing with an angry bride the next morning.
Then again, Melody would be a pain in the ass, regardless.
Usually, Roxanne made her work a priority.
Tonight, there was something more important.
“We’ll meet you there,” Roxanne said, cleaning up the table.
“You guys are coming?”
She glanced up, smiling. “Who’s going to take the pictures? Selfies don’t cut it for Homecoming.”
Holden's smile brightened, and he lifted his chin. “Alright, cool.” Then he turned to Cord. “Can I use that cologne you just got? The expensive one?”
Cord scoffed. “First, you steal my clothes and now you want to smell like me?” Cord shook his head, scowling, but she caught a semblance of teasing in his tone. “Come on. I’ll do it so you don’t fucking drown yourself in it.”
When both boys left, she turned to Jonah. He’d said little and stared at her with a look she couldn’t quite place. He didn’t seem mad, but maybe she’d overstepped.
She hooked her thumb over her shoulder, gesturing to the empty doorway.
“Is it okay that I…” Before she could finish, Jonah pushed off the counter and closed the gap between them.
He grasped her jaw and kissed her. It caught her off guard, but she recovered quickly when his tongue speared past her lips.
She wasn’t sure what’d brought this on, but she wasn’t complaining.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, deepening the kiss.
The floors creaked from above, and he pulled away slightly. They’d never been affectionate in front of his brothers, and she assumed he wanted to keep some distance. But Jonah held onto her, brushing his lips softly against hers.
“Yeah, it’s okay,” he whispered.
Roxanne got the impression it was more than okay.
****
They’d reached the park at the same time as most of the parents. Jonah was completely out of his element and it hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“You look so uncomfortable,” Roxanne muttered, playfully elbowing him in the ribs.
Jonah hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her in front of him until her back rested against his chest. He’d attended everything for Cord and Holden when they were younger.
School plays and concerts when they were little, sports games and competitions through the years.
Jonah had missed nothing. However, this was a first. When Cord had gone to prom and dances, he hadn’t even thought of taking pictures, and Cord certainly never asked. It wasn’t a thing. Until now.
“Yeah, well, most of the parents have almost fifteen years on us.”
It was a fact. There may have been a few in their early forties, but there was a clear divide.
“Do you know any of them?” she asked.
Jonah snorted. “No.”
He’d had an introduction or two with a few when Holden started hanging out with their sons, but it was nothing more than a quick greeting.
“Not even from school?” Roxanne asked.
“Not really. We didn’t move back to the area until about two years ago.”
Roxanne turned in his arms, and he released his hold, but she stayed close.
“And Holden was okay with that? Moving in the middle of high school?”
Jonah understood her confusion. Moving right before his junior year in high school would’ve been his biggest nightmare.
Cord’s too. But Holden was built differently.
He’d always been easygoing, moving in the direction of the family.
He saw everything as a new adventure. There had been reasons for the abrupt move, but Jonah wasn’t willing to share them with Roxanne just yet.
It was too personal. It would’ve led to a more in-depth conversation he wasn’t ready for.
It was perfect timing, watching Holden rush over to where they stood. He was obviously excited. Jonah motioned toward his brother.
“Does it look like it bothered him?”
Roxanne chuckled, shaking her head. “Nope, not in the least bit.”
Holden stopped a few feet away, hooking his thumb over his shoulder. “They're doing pictures on the gazebo.”
Roxanne waved her hand. “Lead the way.”
It took them a while to get set up. Jonah stayed off to the side watching the shitshow.
It was worse than wrangling a group of toddlers.
When they got most of the kids in one spot, one or two would wander off.
After fifteen minutes, even Jonah was losing his patience.
Fortunately for everyone, so did Roxanne.
“This is ridiculous,” she said and rushed toward the gathering. Within minutes she had all the kids lined up, making a few move to form a perfectly curated photo.
Most parents stood back, just watching. He caught a few mothers whispering, but no one interfered. They all seemed happy when Roxanne stepped back and everyone rushed forward to snap pictures. When the group dispersed, Roxanne waved Holden and his date back onto the gazebo for single shots.
Jonah walked over but remained a few feet away, watching his younger brother. He didn’t get nostalgic about many things, but it was amazing to see the man Holden was becoming. And I get to take a little credit for that.
“Jay,” Holden glanced over at his date. “This is Arianna.”
Jonah smiled and held up his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” She turned to Roxanne, smiling. “Thanks so much for taking the pictures. My mom had to work late, so she couldn’t come. But she really wanted to.”
There was no missing the slight sadness in the girl’s tone.
Roxanne slid her hand over Arianna’s arm. “I’m going to make copies of all of them so your mom can have a set.”
“Really? I’d love that. Thank you.”
“Yeah, thanks, Rox,” Holden said.
Roxanne smiled, pointing across the park. “Looks like they’re getting on the party bus. You two get going so you can get a good seat. Have fun.”
Holden and Arianna rushed across the grass, and he watched her grab his brother’s hand.
“Oh my God, they’re the cutest,” Roxanne squealed.
Jonah stared down at her. This may have been for Holden, but she seemed to be enjoying it just as much. He grabbed her hip, pulling her closer, and she leaned into him. Fucking perfect.
“Okay, our turn.” Roxanne flipped her phone, curled into his side, and snapped a picture. “Do you want me to send it to you?”
All the photos on his phone were job related, both construction and furniture. Nothing personal. Until now.
“Yeah.”
Roxanne tapped on her phone and a few seconds later, his phone pinged. She glanced up, scanning the gazebo. “I’d love one of these in my yard someday. Put a swing in there. I wonder how much something like this costs at the store.”
Jonah scoffed. “I can build it.”
She jerked her head, smirking. “That’s so fucking sexy.”
He chuckled, shaking his head.
“We should get going.” Roxanne took two steps but he grabbed her hand.
Jonah lifted his chin, gesturing to the park. “Thanks for this.”
“For what?”
“For going out of your way with Holden.”
Roxanne waved her hand. “I didn’t really do much.”
Yes, you did.
“Don’t do that.” His thumb caressed her hand. “Don’t downplay it. You were right. This was a big deal for him. I didn’t see it but you did. The clothes, the pictures, and us showing up. He’s gonna remember that. And if not for you, he probably wouldn’t.”
Her cheeks pinkened, and she lifted on her toes, brushing her lips against his cheek and whispered, “You’re welcome.”
It may not have seemed like much to most people. But for Holden, and even Jonah, it was everything.