Chapter Fifteen
“So, this is the house you grew up in?” Kenzie asked. The road to his dad’s property was long and winding but flat, either side had wood fencing leading up to the house.
“Yeah.” He glanced over and winked. “Wanna see my bedroom?”
She chuckled, ignoring his question. She actually did want to see his room, for curiosity purposes, of course, nothing more. “When did you move out?”
He leaned his elbow on the window, driving with his free hand, while the other was clasped with her. “Well…I think I was twenty-one. No, wait, twenty-two. I got my place the summer I graduated.”
“You come back a lot?”
Bogs snorted. “As if I got a choice, my sister plans parties and dinners every other weekend. That’s what she does, she’s an event planner.
I think she uses us as Guinea pigs for her business.
” He chuckled bearing right as the house came into view.
“Don’t mind though. I like being around my family.
Even T and Stone, if you can believe it.
It’s better now that they got women. Gives me a better view than their ugly ass faces. ”
They pulled up behind a silver car that looked out of place amongst all the trucks. When she got out and rounded the front, she took a closer look at the car. Gorgeous.
“That’s Ethan’s.”
“Your brother?”
“Yeah, and try not to be so obvious when you meet him.” He cocked an eyebrow. “It fucks with my ego.”
His ego? “I don’t understand.”
Bogs grabbed her hand and whispered. “You will.”
They weaved through the cars, about fifteen of them if she had to guess.
This was more of a party and less like a family dinner.
Her palms started to sweat. There was an awkward rush of nerves she felt.
Meeting his family seemed like a big deal, even if he played it off.
Maybe it wasn’t important to him but it was scaring the crap out of her.
They walked up the pathway leading to the porch.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah, awesome place to be a kid.”
“So, how big is your family anyway?”
Bogs snorted. “Not this big. I have a feeling our family dinner turned into something bigger. Rox does that shit, she probably ran into friends and invited everyone.”
Kenzie was expecting a house full of people but when they entered the house it was empty.
The large foyer led into a living room with the walls adorned by pictures.
She followed Bogs as they made their way through the house.
It was spacious and warm, giving off a homey vibe.
She stopped short when a photo caught her eye.
She leaned in closer to see four boys, covered in what looked like mud. How strange.
“Mud fight.”
She jerked her head over her shoulder. Bogs was smiling, but his eyes were set on the picture.
“You had a mud fight?”
“It was supposed to be a snowball fight.” Bogs chuckled.
“We were expecting a snow storm, and you know for Houston that’s rare.
Well, they had built it up to the point where schools were closing with anticipation for it.
I spent days talking about everything we were gonna do.
Had a kickass design for a snowman for Rox.
We were gonna sleigh ride but the biggest plan was for an epic snowball fight.
It’s all I could think about. You can guess what happened, right? ”
Kenzie turned to face Bogs and playfully pouted. “It never snowed.”
“No, and I was pissed, and so fucking disappointed. They were calling for six inches, and all we got was rain, and a shit ton of it.”
“That sucks.”
“Right?” He shrugged glancing down at the picture. “But with all the rain, it made for some awesome mud balls.”
“When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.”
Bogs shifted his glance to Kenzie and grinned. “You love those sayings, don’t ya?”
“Well, it certainly fits.” The deep voice husky voice came from behind Bogs. Kenzie looked over his shoulder to see an older man. He was smiling as he walked over to them. Bogs laughed and embraced the man in a hug.
“Hey Dad.”
“Was wondering when you were going to show up. Not like you to be late for a party.”
“Last I heard it was dinner, not a party.”
“Well, Roxanne had other ideas.” He stepped forward reaching out his hand. “You must be Kenzie, I’m John.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Kenzie took his hand. This was his dad? Most men her dad’s age didn’t hold much appeal to her, but John was very handsome, and in great shape.
“It’s very nice to meet you, too.” He eyed Bogs and smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Kenzie watched the small exchange between father and son. How much did John know? Bogs smirked and shook his head. “Everyone out back?”
John chuckled. “Yes, you two should head on out.”
Bogs grabbed her hand and pulled her through the hall to the kitchen.
“What was that about?”
Bogs sighed and turned back. “I’m the last single guy in the family. They’ve all been waiting for me to fall. They’re taking a lot of joy in it. Fuckers.”
Fall? What was he talking about? She squeezed his hand when he moved forward. “Wait, Bogs, what do you mean by fall?”
He glanced over his shoulder as he gripped the sliding door leading into the yard. “Fall for a girl.” He tugged her hand, smiling. “Come on.”
She had no time to register what he had just said. When she walked through the door her eyes widened as she took in the scene. This definitely wasn’t a dinner. This was a party.
The bonfire had been started and people milled around the yard. A lot of people. Mostly her age, some a bit older. No one seemed to notice their arrival. Good. They could make a quiet entrance.
“Party’s here,” Bogs shouted, and Kenzie whipped her head up at him. So much for a subtle entrance. There were shouts of welcome and he gripped her hand tighter and led her into a larger group off the end of the deck. She didn’t recognize anyone but he introduced her to everyone.
She noticed he hugged or kissed all the women. Did he have to be so damn friendly? Settle down, jealousy isn’t a good look on you. She shook off the feeling. This man brought out a possessive side to Kenzie she hadn’t even known existed.
“Hey there.” A woman with blonde hair and a low-cut top came through the small group setting her sights on Bogs only. She was really pretty. Of course, she was. He probably had beautiful women throwing themselves at him all the time.
“Hey Kami, what’s going on?” He smiled and stretched his arm, which she curled into his side for a hug. She lingered longer than the rest of the girls he greeted.
“It was boring ‘til you got here.” She giggled and there was something about the sound that made Kenzie wanted cringe.
Bogs chuckled and hugged her tighter. “That’s ‘cause these assholes don’t know how to have fun. Where’s your man?’
Her smile turned from friendly to seductive. “We broke up.” She pouted. “I’m single.”
She flickered her eyes up to Bogs, who had the decency to look a bit uncomfortable. He released her waist and moved away slightly. Not enough to be overtly obvious. Kenzie refrained from smiling. “Not for long I’m sure.” He winked and then looked over to her. His smile faltered.
“This is Kenzie.”
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
Bogs stepped forward and grabbed Kenzie’s hand. She watched Kami immediately gaze down. “Catch you all later, we’re getting a beer.” Bogs tugged her hand and she walked with him.
“Who’s that? An ex?”
Bogs jerked his head. “No.” He huffed a laugh. “Though she’s tried. She’s a friend of my sister’s.” He let go of her hand and wrapped his arm over her shoulder. He leaned closer brushing his mouth over her ear. “You jealous?”
“No.” It was a lie and from the smile he was giving her, he knew it.
He chuckled. “No need to be jealous of anyone, pretty girl.”
It was said in jest but she could read between the lines. There it was, her insecurity showing. It was hard to not to be when she was face to face with a woman who obviously wanted hers and wasn’t even trying to hide it. But was he? Hers? Yes!
“Ya know you don’t have to hang with me the whole night. I know ya got friends here, I can handle myself.”
“Maybe I wanna hang with you all night.” Perfect answer, Bogs.
They made their way up the stairs to the deck where a few people were gathered.
She recognized T and Stone, who stood taller than the rest of the group.
Their backs were turned to them. She glanced over amongst the women standing with them.
Cassie was facing them and when she glanced up and looked at Kenzie, a huge smile spread across her face.
Kenzie raised her hand for a short quick wave.
Cassie pushed T, who was standing near her and rushed over. “Hey, Kenzie.”
She seemed overly excited to see her. She was unprepared for the hug T’s wife landed on her. She didn’t release Bogs’ hand but stepped forward when Cassie hugged her.
How this girl, who was so sweet and friendly, was married to T would remain one of life’s big mysteries.
“I’m glad you’re here. Come on, I’ll introduce you to the girls.”
“Hey, wait, I was going to do that,” Bogs said, humor in his tone. She looked up to see him make a face at Cassie, which was returned with an eye roll.
“Then you should have when you first came in. You didn’t so now I get to do it.”
“Baker girl, we just got here.”
“Shut up, Bogs, you’ve been here like ten minutes. You lost your chance. C’mon, Kenzie.” She gripped her hand pulling her toward the house. Kenzie glanced over her shoulder to see Bogs furrow his brows but he winked at her and shrugged. Cassie was slightly crazy and she liked her even more.
“You better bring her back, baker girl,” he yelled as they made their way in through the sliding glass doors.
She had met boyfriend’s families before but none of them seemed this excited to meet her. She followed Cassie into the empty kitchen, her grip still being held by T’s tiny wife.
“Does everyone call you baker girl or just Bogs?”