Chapter Twenty-One
Roxanne knocked and waited at the door. Everything about this was awkward.
She’d never knocked at Bogs and Kenzie’s place.
This was different, though. It would take a big set of balls to barge into Kenzie’s home after the way Roxanne had snapped at her.
Her shoulders tensed when she heard footsteps coming from inside.
Kenzie opened the door with a bright smile. It didn’t fade even slightly. This wasn’t how most people would greet someone who’d been rude to them. I sure as hell wouldn’t.
“Hey, this is a surprise.”
Roxanne drew in a breath. “You’re the first stop on my apology tour.”
In true Kenzie fashion, she giggled. “Apology accepted.”
Roxanne groaned. “I didn’t apologize yet.”
Kenzie dipped her brows, feigning a glare and folded her arms. “Let’s hear it.”
“I’m sorry.”
Kenzie swatted her hand in the air. “All is forgiven.”
“Just like that? Not gonna make me grovel?”
“Nope, but I may bring it up next time we’re out at the bar.” Kenzie winked. “I’ll be doing shots on your dime.”
“Fair enough.”
Kenzie widened the door. “Come on in. You want a drink? I have orange juice and champagne.”
Mimosas on a Friday night? Yes, please!
“I’m in.” Roxanne stepped through the door just as her phone vibrated in her pocketbook. She closed her eyes, dramatically dropping her chin to her chest with a heavy sigh.
T-minus two weeks.
“Uh-oh.” Kenzie giggled. “Let me guess? Bride from hell? Cassie was complaining about her last night. Something about no longer wanting kids at the wedding, so she wants to replace her niece and nephew as flower girl and ring bearer with her dogs.”
Yup.
Roxanne rolled her eyes and pouted. “Why anyone wants to marry this woman is beyond me.” She dug in her bag, pulling out her phone and glancing at the screen. “She’s an absolute …”
What the …
“Nightmare?” Kenzie asked.
Roxanne unconsciously ignored her and stared at the name as it rang for a third time. Why was he calling? Did something happen? Within seconds, her mind thought of a hundred different scenarios. None of them were good.
She frantically tapped the screen. “Holden?”
“Rox, Rox, thank frickin’ God!” He sounded out of breath as if he’d just run a marathon.
She looked over at Kenzie and mouthed, “Jonah’s brother.”
“Are you okay?” Roxanne asked.
“No.” His voice shook, and her own panic set in.
She straightened her back, her blood racing through her veins. “Holden? What’s wrong?”
“Frickin’ everything.” He groaned.
“Okay, calm down.” She softened her tone. “Tell me what’s going on?”
“I was at a party, and it got raided. Cops locked it down and made everyone call their parents to pick them up. Tried calling Jonah, but he’s not answering.
Hell, I even tried Cord, but it goes straight to voicemail.
” There was a slight pause, then he whispered, “Rox, if someone doesn’t pick me up, they said they’ll take me in. I can’t go to jail.”
“Alright, relax, Holden. You’re not going to jail. Since you’re eighteen, they’ll probably just give you a ticket and you can leave on your own.”
“No. Cop said if I can’t get someone to come get me that they’d take me in.” Holden paused. “I was drinking.”
Oh shit! This was a major predicament. She was sure Holden wouldn’t be arrested, but he’d be taken down to the station and probably get put in a holding cell. If he couldn’t get in touch with his brothers, he might have to spend the night there. Roxanne couldn’t let that happen.
“Let me try getting a hold of Jonah and …”
“I tried! Four times.” His breath was heavy, and his voice shook. “Can you come get me?”
She drove her hand through her hair. “I’m not a family member, Holden. They won’t release you to me.”
There was complete silence except for faint voices in the background.
“I told them you’re my sister-in-law.”
She gasped. “What?”
“Yeah, you’re married to Jonah.”
Oh, my God! This fucking kid. Not only was he being detained by the police, but he lied to them?
“Roxanne? You still there?” His tone was laced with panic. “Fuck, she hung up.”
Without thinking, she blurted. “Mouth, Holden.” It was an odd time to scold him about his language but he was putting her in mom mode and it slipped out. “Give me the address.”
Roxanne took down the information. The residence was only about ten minutes from Kenzie’s house. She wasn’t sure if picking him up was the right thing to do but she couldn’t leave him stranded.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Gah, thanks, Rox. You’re the best, seriously. I mean, the frickin’ GOAT. I can’t thank you enough, and I …”
“Holden!” she snapped, losing her patience. “The quicker we get off the phone, the sooner I show up, which lessens your chances of spending the night behind bars.”
“Bye.” The phone clicked, and she swiped the screen, tossing her phone in her bag.
“What’s going on?” Kenzie asked.
“I’m finally getting my childhood wish.” Roxanne snorted, hiking her pocketbook over her shoulder. “I get to play big sister.”
*
She clenched her teeth and tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
When she’d arrived, it’d been an absolute shitshow of teenage drunken debauchery.
The street was lined with cars as if it were a school pickup line.
Instead, it was parents double-parking and walking to and from the backyard of the house on the corner.
Luckily, she found a spot two doors down. She followed the herd of angry parents down the pathway on the side of the house leading into the back. There were officers and teenagers milling around.
“Rox!” Holden shouted and rushed toward her. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. He wobbled slightly, and she could smell the alcohol on his breath.
“You’re the best.”
Oh, not this again. She wiggled out of his hold and grabbed his arms to steady him. His eyes were glassy, and his goofy smile was a telltale sign of intoxication.
“Who do I have to speak with to get you out of here?”
Holden pointed to the officer near the back door.
“Stay right here.” She walked toward the man, and as she got closer, she smiled. They’d gone to high school together and traveled in the same circle years ago. Eddie had always been sweet on her, but nothing ever came of it. Hopefully, this would work in her favor.
“Officer Martinez?”
He glanced over his shoulder, and a bright smile emerged. “Roxanne Barrett, it’s been a while.”
She got the sense he was about to lean in for a hug, but a five foot ten, stumbling teenager foiled the plan. Holden knocked into her, placing himself between her and Eddie.
“It’s actually McMillian now.”
Roxanne gasped and grabbed his arm, yanking him back. She was inches from his face and glared. “Not another word from you or I’ll leave your ass here and you’ll be wearing an orange jumpsuit by morning.”
Holden clamped his lips and gave a sharp nod. Roxanne turned back around to face Eddie. She forced a smile and shrugged.
“Kids, right?”
He narrowed his gaze. “So, you’re not married to his brother? I figured he was full of shit.”
“Yeah, he is. But I am a close friend of the family and the only one available to pick him up.”
“Rox,” he sighed, glancing around the yard. There were at least four other officers speaking with parents. “I got a protocol I have to follow.”
She held up her hands. “I know. And I wouldn’t ask for a favor, but as much as he’s a dumbass,” she hooked her thumb over her shoulder, gesturing to Holden, “he’s a really good kid and I promise, I will take him straight home and make sure he stays there.”
“These fucking kids.” He shook his head, sighing. “Why do people have them?”
“Because they’re super cute at the beginning.”
Eddie snorted, eyeing her. “Look …” he sighed.
“I gotta talk to a few other parents, but I’ll be back.
If you’re gone, you’re gone. If you’re still here, I got to take him in.
” He slowly turned, and she didn’t waste any time.
She grabbed Holden’s wrist and rushed through the yard and down the side of the house.
“Rox, you’re seriously the best …”
“Shut up. No more talking.”
This big-sister gig blows.
It took another ten minutes to get Holden situated and through traffic before they were headed for his house.
She realized that this was the first time she could possibly come face to face with Jonah.
It wasn’t the best of circumstances. As he pointed out, she didn’t fit into his life. Yet here I am.
Roxanne pulled down to the end of the street in front of his house. It was pitch black except for the porch light. She put the car in park but kept the engine running. She’d done all she could, saving Holden’s ass from being taken in and getting him home safely.
“You want to come in?”
Was he serious? A run in with Jonah was the last thing she wanted. She glanced down the driveway and saw Jonah’s truck parked near the garage.
“No.”
Holden pursed his lips and his face paled. “I really don’t feel good.”
When he cupped his mouth, she leaned across his lap, shoving the door open.
“Puke outside!”
Jesus, what was it with these McMillian boys and her car? Roxanne jumped out, rounded the bumper and made it to his door just in time to see Holden vomit. She twisted her lips. The smell was instant, and she stepped back, covering her mouth.
Roxanne could’ve let him walk into the house on his own, just watching from the sidewalk. As long as he got inside, he’d be safe. When he stumbled getting out of the car, she grasped his arm, guiding him up the pathway.
He hooked his arm over her shoulder. “Thanks for doing this.”
Roxanne held her breath and turned her head away from him. His breath reeked of an unsavory combo of liquor and puke.
Holden tried several times to open the door but couldn’t get the key to make contact with the lock. After his third attempt, she’d lost her patience. She ripped the keys from his hand, opened the door and escorted him inside. The house was dark and quiet.