Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
tristan
“Your family doesn’t seem so bad.” We’re at the store looking for a blanket, along with the massive list of stuff Abigail asked us to get.
It’s like she’s feeding a basketball team.
Which, I guess, she is with how many people are in the family.
There were only three of us home most of the time unless my brother came home to visit.
“That’s what you think. Just wait until we start playing games. Or, even worse, my brother starts needling me about taking on my family obligations.”
She’s leaning over the cart as she pushes it toward the home goods area. The good thing about chain stores is almost all of them look the same so we aren’t spending a ton of time looking for things. But Paula has been here many times, it makes sense she knows the store well.
“Oh, you also need to sleep in the bed with me.”
Whoa, that came out of nowhere. She also picks up her speed as if the conversation is over now that she’s said her piece.
It’s not that I don’t want to sleep next to her.
But I don’t know that I can keep my emotions out of it.
Eric was right. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
I was trying to be nice, but keeping my feelings locked away in a box is proving to be difficult.
“Why?” I lengthen my strides to catch up with her. “I thought we agreed on this arrangement before we came down here.”
She nods her acknowledgment. “That was before my sister paid me a visit this morning and noticed your bedding on the floor. Both her and Parker are onto us. She said they’ll be keeping an eye on us the entire time.”
This is what she meant about her siblings meddling all the time. A small part of me is grateful I never had to deal with that. I would have lost my mind. Even my parents never meddled in my life, but we also shared what was going on freely.
“Would it be so bad if they knew? Out of all your siblings they seem like the coolest.”
“Oh, I’m closer to them than I am any of the others. But that’s part of the problem.” She pauses so another person can come out of the aisle we need to enter.
“How?” If she’s close to them, they’ll understand.
“Because I’ve never mentioned you. That’s red flag number one.
And, as much as I love my sister, she cannot keep a secret for shit.
She doesn’t do it on purpose, but whatever she’s trying to hide always slips out.
That’s how I got in trouble most of the time in my teens.
It would be weeks after I did something and she’d say something in passing.
Then I’d be grounded or have to do extra chores. ”
“Oh. And what about Parker?”
She stops in front of the row of comforters, studying each one.
To my surprise she bypasses all the neutral colored ones, and heads straight for the bright, bold colors.
I don’t know why I’m shocked. Talking to her these past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed she’s not quite as subdued as she wants people to believe.
She stands out in a crowd. Though, that may be because I really like her.
I also appreciate her trying to protect me from her family, but I can handle myself. She needs to give me the opportunity to show her.
“Parker is like a vault for the most part. But I wouldn’t put it past him to poke holes in everything we say. Like I said last night, he’s the biggest prankster I know. It’s like being a pain in the ass gives him strength.”
Ah. That actually makes sense and fits the vibe he gave off last night.
It looks like my studying didn’t matter.
Her siblings are all completely different than I thought they would be.
And here I thought I’d actually be more friendly to her older brother.
That one may take some work on my part. I will win him over before we leave.
“So, what you’re saying is we need to be absolutely ridiculous.”
She glances from the comforter in her hands to me. “Yes, but also, I’m not sure what you mean by that.”
“More PDA, sleeping in the same bed.” I pause and tap my fingers on the edge of the cart. “Should we come up with nicknames for each other? You know like those couples in cheesy movies?”
“Absolutely fucking not.” She glares at me. “If you call me something other than Paula, or babe, I won’t be responsible for how I respond.”
“So, no puddin’ pop.” I don’t know where I even pulled the name from but the disgust on her face is worth the suggestion.
“You really want me to get kicked out of this store, don’t you?”
“I’m kidding. Sort of.” I hold my hands up in surrender.
“Keep pressing buttons, buddy. I’ll tell Parker you’re fair game.” She looks at the bright pink comforter in her hands to another one the shelf. It’s turquoise and seems to have a floral print on in it. “I don’t know which one to get.”
Grabbing the one from her hands I set it in the basket. Then I reach up and pull the one from the shelf before tossing it beside the first. “We’ll get both.”
“I only need one, though.”
“The way you were acting last night, you’ll probably need both before the weekend is over.”
“But I—”
“No, buts. I’m getting both of them for you. Now, let’s tackle this list your mom made. How many days does she think we’re staying?”
Instead of arguing with me over the comforter, she grabs the list out of my hand. At least I seem to have won this round.
“Do you remember how much you ate as a teenager?”
“Not much has changed between then and now.”
“Multiply that by six, then add in you and my dad.”
“Yeah, this makes a bit more sense.”
“I’ll be surprised if there’s any of the junk food they bought last night left by the end of the day.”
“You should give them a bit more credit than that.” I know her siblings don’t make things too easy for her, but they deserve some slack. The only thing I can do is give them a chance. I’ll let them prove themselves to me on their own.
“Eh, you didn’t grow up with them.”
“Touché.” She has an experience I’ve never had.
I mean the entire crew of Crooked Halo are like family, but it’s not the same as growing up with them.
We’re all adults. This is one I area I wish I could connect with her.
That will never happen, though. Now to figure out how I’m going to sleep in the same bed with her.
It took everyone to bring the groceries in earlier. For such a small kitchen, it holds all the food with ease. There’s not a stray item on the counters. It’s also a good thing I didn’t make a bet with Paula earlier. Phillip just popped the last pizza pocket in the microwave.
“What are you doing?” Abigail yells as soon as she hears the electronic hum.
“Eating a snack.” Phillip sounds confused by the question.
“We’re going to eat in a bit. You’ll ruin your appetite.” She admonishes.
He shrinks back a bit before busting out in laughter. “You know I’ll be hungry again in thirty minutes. You don’t have to worry about me not wanting to eat.”
She rolls her eyes and turns toward the hallway. I guess even she needs a break from her kids on occasion.
Phillip grabs his food from the microwave and doesn’t wait for it to cool down before taking a huge bite. He’s doing that awkward thing where you chew and try to keep from burning the inside of your mouth. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone actually do it. It’s quite funny.
After he swallows, he leans against the counter. “How did you and Paula meet?”
The sibling inquisition took longer than I thought it would. They didn’t really get a chance this morning, though. Paula and I left before they made it to the kitchen.
“Yeah, how did y’all meet? My sister never said.” Pierce pipes in from the living room. Damn this open floor plan. I really hoped he wasn’t listening in. Though he is the one I have to win over.
Remember to stick as close to the truth as possible.
“We met at Out of the Ashes.”
“Figures.” Pierce rolls his eyes.
“The story has to be better than that.”
“Well, I bumped into her and her phone flew out of her hand. I gave it back to her, we had drinks, and the rest is history. I’m on the road a lot so we hang out when I’m in town.”
It’s not a complete lie. I am on the road a lot.
“So, you drive trucks or something?” Pierce’s tone is condescending at best. I don’t understand why he has it out for me when he doesn’t even know me. Maybe Paula is right and he can’t be brought to my side.
“Absolutely not. There isn’t anything wrong with it, I just don’t do that. I’m actually part of the crew for a band.”
“What band?” Phillip throws his trash away and moves closer to me. Personal space isn’t a thing with this family. Got it.
“Crooked Halo.”
“Oh my God. No way.” Phillip’s smile is wide and excited. “I try to see them every time they are in town. I’ve seen them once when they are on tour, but I like when they play at Out of the Ashes. It feels more…”
“Intimate?” I add to help him out.
“Exactly.” He is staring at me in awe. “It must be so cool working with them. I never get a chance to talk to them after a set because they are surrounded by people.”
Do I tell him they are making Asheville home base? I’m not sure they want that to be public information. I’ll keep my mouth shut for now.
“Text me next time you’re there to see them play. I’ll make sure you get a chance to meet them. Dale tries to make time to meet everyone, but it can be hard sometimes.”
“That would be so awesome. I’ll make sure you have my number by the end of the weekend.”
I glance over my shoulder at Pierce and see a scowl across his face. He doesn’t seem happy his little brother likes me. Well, he likes my job, but still. I’ll take a win however I get it.
“So, I hear you do actually use your phone.” Pierce says to someone behind me.
It’s Paula, I know it is. As wild as it sounds, I could feel her presence as soon as she came into the room.
“I don’t know who told you that. I despise that thing.” She’s grinning when I turn toward her. Making jokes is how she tries to change the subject, and I hate she has do it with her own family.
“Tristan said he saved it after knocking it out of your hands at the bar.” He glances between us to see if I lied. “I didn’t think it worked seeing as how you never answer when I call.”
“That’s because I don’t answer people I don’t want to talk to.”
“Well, thanks for that.”
Phillip looks between the three of us. “You answer me.”
“Not helping,” she mutters.
“Are you kidding me?” Pierce stands. “Am I the only sibling you won’t respond to?”
She shrugs. “I don’t answer for Peter most of the time either.”
“That’s just great.” He throws his hands in the air and comes around the couch. “You need to grow up and take on your family responsibilities.”
“And that right there is why I don’t answer your calls.” She points her finger at him. “It’s never a call to see how I’m doing or what I’ve been up to. It’s always when are you going to stop fucking around and work at the winery.”
“It’s your du—”
Before he has a chance to finish, she rushes past me and her brothers. The door opens and slams behind her.
My first instinct is to follow after her.
Instead, I turn toward Pierce. “I don’t know what your problem is, and I clearly don’t know your family dynamic, but that doesn’t give you the right to order her around or tell her what to do.
She is your sister, and a whole ass human being.
You won’t speak to her like that again.”
Without giving him a chance to respond, I rush to the room and grab a jacket before hauling ass out the front door. Paula and I may not be a real couple, but I’ll be damned if her family goes out of her way to make her feel like shit.