Page 56 of Love
“His family good with…everything?” The laid-backquestion was filled with unspoken meaning.
Thankfully, we could both nod. “Yes, sir.They know…about us.”
“Good. Good.” He looked like he was goingto ask something else, but then just nodded and pushed back from the table.“Let’s get this cleared away before she comes back.”
I wasn’t sure if she was going to actuallyget ice cream or if she was just going to drive around the block venting toherself, but making her do the dishes when she was already pissed wasn’t a goodidea.
That was a mistake a guy only made once.
Ryan clearly remembered that incident toobecause he immediately stood and started clearing the table. “Okay, would shebe more pissed or less if she found out Dare wanted leftovers? Because he wasreally jealous he was missing cake.”
Ryan was serious which was probably why hisdad barked out a laugh. “Oh, the mysteries of life. You’re going to have tofind that one out on your own. I’m going to play dumb.”
He was such a big help.
As Roger shook his head, still chuckling, Iwalked past Ryan and whispered, “I’m starting to really appreciate Dare’s viewson communication.”
Ryan grinned, trying to whisper as low ashe could. “There’s no way he’d let us storm out like that.”
Roger walked over to the counter by thesink, stacking dishes. “You boys don’t whisper any better than you did when youwere five. But I’m not going to ask because it’s not my business. Just makesure you say no when it’s appropriate and don’t do anything you don’t want to.”
Could embarrassment kill someone?
Asking for a friend.
Chapter 17
Ryan
“And then he told us not to whisper aroundmy mother because we were so terrible at it that we’d probably give her a heartattack.” Dare started laughing before I’d even finished the sentence, so I justclosed my eyes and prayed for death as I stretched out on the living roomfloor.
I was so traumatized I hadn’t even made itto the couch, and all my Master could do was laugh.
“What did your mother finally say when shecame back?” He paused for a moment. “How long was she gone? Did she actuallycome back?”
Thankfully, Scott took this one.
“She came back right around the time wefinished cleaning the kitchen. Three containers of ice cream and one bottle ofvodka. But she wasn’t pissed anymore.”
“Why?” Dare was enjoying this entirely toomuch.
“I think she realized she was going to havemore people to spoil at Christmas and those kinds of holidays, and maybe shefinally realized that we kind of had a lot on our plate, so we had a reason tobe nervous.” I could almost picture Scott shrugging as his voice trailed off.
“As long as she’s not mad and I’m not goingto get death glares at every family get-together, that’s all that counts.” Darelaughed again and from the sounds he made, I knew he was snuggling closer toScott. “That would be awkward if she’s still pissed when we’re all old andgray.”
Ignoring the way that comment madeeverything in me feel lighter, I finally smiled.
“My mother can hold a grudge forever. Shestill won’t use this one cashier at the grocery store because she swears thewoman stiffed her five bucks ten years ago.” But thankfully, she hadn’t aimedthat craziness at me very often.
“She was excited to pack up a plate for you.”Relief was obvious in Scott’s voice. “She even sent pieces of cake for us soyou wouldn’t have to eat alone.”
“Sounds like she’s not too mad.” Dareseemed to have kissed Scott, a sound that made me finally open my eyes.
Yep.
God, they were so fucking hot together.There was just nothing like watching Dare perched on Scott’s lap, stroking hischest and kissing his neck.
When Dare finally pulled away, Scott waswatching him with sleepy, desire-filled eyes. Dare smiled. “I’m glad you’re notworried anymore, sweetness.”
