Chapter 12 #2
“Her kids are grown. She’s got two sons I haven’t met yet, but I’ve known her daughter for a few years. After the shock of finding out her mom and I are together wears off, I’m sure she’ll be in my corner, but the sons might be a different ball of wax.”
“What the hell am I supposed to do to help you with that?”
“Come hang out with me when I meet them on Thanksgiving and be your usual charming self.”
“How is that going to help?” Donner asked.
“Once they spend three minutes with you, they’ll realize I’m not so bad.”
Donner didn’t even have to consider it before he said, “That could actually work.”
“I’m sure it will. So, are you in?”
“Sure. When do you want me to be there?”
“I’ve got a room for you whenever you show up.”
I realized that Ajax was right to worry about our friend when he not only didn’t bitch about making the trip, but said, “I’ll be there tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you then.”
Once our call was over, I texted Taya.
Can I bring an extra to Thanksgiving?
Brinn said she’d already asked Samara to come.
She’s coming, but my friend Donner will be in town.
Of course! I’d love to meet more of your friends.
Wow. I had no idea you were a glutton for punishment. You’ve met Sugar and still want to meet more of them?
Sugar is a sweetheart who just pretends to be grumpy.
That’s a load of crap. Sugar isn’t a sweetheart, and he’s never pretending to be anything. Neither is Donner.
Donner? Who names you people?
Mine is obvious, but then again, I guess his is too. He’s from Truckee.
As long as he doesn’t bring a side dish of some meat substance, I’ll be happy to have him over.
I’ll keep him out of the kitchen. I promise.
I can’t wait to meet him. How is your day going?
It would be better if you were here.
I can’t wait to see you tonight. Dinner at my place?
Let’s go out to eat. What sounds good?
I would kill for a crispy burrito.
Taco Time?
Yes!
I’ll pick you up at six. Be dressed for the bike. My place or yours tonight?
Mine, please.
I’ll bring a bag. See you soon.
Not soon enough!
Somehow, my day got brighter just by texting with Taya. I knew she would welcome another guest at her table, but that she didn’t even ask about his background and just inherently trusted that I wouldn’t bring anyone dangerous around her said a lot.
Little did she know, we were all dangerous in our own way whenever the need arose. Hopefully, she wouldn’t ever have to see that side of any of us.
Only time would tell.
◆◆◆
I managed to put the phone back on the nightstand without disturbing who was tucked under my other arm and then snuggled back up to her before I closed my eyes.
“Your friend is already in town? Do you need to go home?” Even though I had tried to be quiet, I should have known that the phone ringing and my quick conversation would disturb her sleep.
“Nah. If Samara is awake, she’ll pamper him until he threatens to leave and get him settled in. I’ll wake him up tomorrow when I get home and take him out for breakfast or something. He got here a day earlier than I was expecting him. I guess he left Truckee after we talked today.”
“Tell me about him.”
“He’s quiet and broody but has a great sense of humor. When he does talk, it’s almost always sarcastic but occasionally pretty profound. Makes you wonder what he keeps in his head that he doesn’t let out.”
“Does he have family?”
“He has quite a large family, and they’re in the middle of some turmoil, which is certainly not helped by the fact that he just finished his second stint in prison.”
“They’re mad at him because he committed a crime?” Taya asked. I knew she wanted to ask what he’d gone in for the first time and wondered what he’d done to get locked up again, but she knew that wasn’t something I would share.
“I’d never bring anyone around you or your family that’s dangerous to them.”
Taya laughed softly before she said, “I like how you worded that.”
“What do you mean?”
“You said he wouldn’t be a danger to us, but you didn’t say that he’s not dangerous.”
“In the right circumstances, anyone can be pushed to that point, especially when they’re protecting someone they love.”
“True. If someone threatened my family, I’d go on a killing spree without a second thought.”
“Listen to that mama bear roar,” I teased.
“I’m serious. Did you ever see that viral video where someone asked a group of women if they’d kill to protect their child and some of them said no?
What the fuck? Yeah, I’d kill, maim, decimate, incinerate .
. . all the violent words you can think of to protect my friends, but I’d go even further to protect my own. ”
“Makes perfect sense to me.”
“So, Donner is going to hang out at your place for Thanksgiving?”
“Yeah. It’s going to get crowded once Jodie gets in.”
“Jaimee’s mom is staying at your house too?”
“I talked to her this afternoon and told her she was welcome to stay in one of the spare rooms. She’s probably going to come a day or two early and then stay for the weekend since she doesn’t have to spring for a hotel.”
“Jaimee is such a sweet girl. I can’t wait to meet her mom. What’s she like?”
“I don’t know Jodie all that well, but I’m sure she’ll be relieved to know it’s not just me watching out for her daughter while she’s here.”
“I understand her worry. I’m so glad Brinn chose to stay in town and go to the university rather than move away.
She’s out of the house but close enough for me to feel like I’m still able to watch over her.
” Taya snuggled a little closer before she said, “And now she’s got you on her team, and that makes me feel even better. ”
“I’ll take care of you and your family, Taya.”
“I know you will.”