Page 47 of Kissing Chaos
19
Noah
The entire drive home from Atlanta, I had to suppress the urge to cancel dinner. I couldn’t find any reason to expose any of us to what is sure to go down. By the time I’m showered and dressed—with nearly all the black stains washed away—Oakley is rushing us to the car. After forty-five minutes in my truck with Jett in the passenger seat looking good and Oaks and Sadie in the back seat, my nerves are shot.
This is ridiculous. There’s no reason I should be nervous eating dinner at Mama’s house. And yet, I am. Trying to talk both girls out of staying, I turn to Jett.
“You sure you’re up for this? Probably won’t be too enjoyable for any of the parties involved.”
Trace’s black F-150 is parked by the garage.My chest aches at the thought of what he might say in front of Jett. This was a terrible idea.
Oakley shoves my seat before she slides out and clips Sadie’s leash. “Quit being a big baby, big brother.”
Tuning out my sister, I take in Jett’s expression. Hoping it doesn’t mean she’s about to bolt but willing to run with her if she’s changed her mind. The beast of a house in front of us is staring me down. The thought of walking through that front door has anxiety coursing through my veins more heavily thanI’d anticipated. I haven’t been by since Christmas, and that was only long enough to give Mama a hug and to drop off a fresh load of firewood.
“You two can stand out here and turn into human popsicles, but me and Sadie are going in. Can’t wait till I’m back on flights tomorrow. At least I might luck up and find myself somewhere warmer.”
As those two slip off, Jett turns her focus to me.
“You okay?” Her small hand wraps around mine and squeezes.
Taking a deep breath to settle the nerves, I give her a squeeze back.“Not sure why I’m so nervous about it. Think it’s just been a heck of a month, and I’m not—” I cut myself off. “Are you sure you’re good going in there? Mama may stake a claim on you, and she’s not one to let go easily.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll do whatever you need me to do, be whoever you need me to be. For tonight.” Wrapping her arms around me in a hug, she buries her cold cheeks under my chin. “You’ve got this, elevator man.”
“Yo! Y’all comin’ in or what? I’m hungry and Mom says we can’t fix plates till y’all come in,” yells the familiar voice of my brother. Glancing up, I find his head sticking around the front door, probably trying to keep as much cold air out as he can.
Lifting a hand from Jett’s back, I wave him back in the house. “Be there in just a second, Trace.”
He nods before slipping back in, the door slamming behind him.
“Ready?”
“Let’s go meet the fam.”
***
Dinner flows smoother than expected, with Trace staying quieter than normal. Mom of course fawns over Jett, wanting to know everything about her. It doesn’t matter that we told her weare just friends; she’s already convinced it is forever. I love her even more for it. Jett is a rockstar, never showing any outward discomfort. The occasional touches on the arm or back are the only signs she’s in over her head. Whenever it happens, I either slide my hand up and down her spine or palm the base of her neck like she likes.
Even now, standing in the kitchen while chatting with Mama, she leans into my hand as it rests between her shoulder blades. Whenever she leans more heavily against me, I give my thumb and forefinger a few squeezes. She takes a deep breath and exhales the rising anxiety. Wash, rinse, repeat.
When Trace steps back through the door after taking out the trash, the air shifts and I tense. Jett reaches her hand around my waist and leans against me.
“Hey, man. Can we talk?” My brother’s voice is unsure, like he knows the likely response is no. But Jett’s comforting gazeand gentle smile is the push I need to nod.
I follow him to the living room, parking in front of the fire place and hoping the flames burn the nerves away. One of the few things I miss by living in a loft is the live fireplace. Eventually, I’ll move into one of my rental properties. I already have it picked out. And the fireplace is the best attribute.
Not wanting to beat around the bush, I take a settling breath before addressing Trace. “What’s up?”
“Didn’t think Oakley Kate would actually get you to show up tonight. Sure as hell didn’t think you’d bring a girl with you.”
“Wasn’t planning on coming. I sure as hell wasn’t planning to bring Jett. She insisted.”
“She seems cool,” he says as he studies the flames that flicker over the fresh logs he must have added on his way back inside.
“Jett’s great.”
He finally takes a breath. “Farrah and I split.
