Page 130 of Home Town Advantage
Initially, I was annoyed at Vance for keeping it from me, but he was protecting me. Again. Despite that, I wholeheartedly trust him and know he’ll go to any lengths to ensure my happiness and safety.
With the case being public record, we ultimately decided to go public with our relationship. We issued a statement that we were childhood friends who recently reconnected, and love bloomed. We didn’t disclose details about my brother or Francesca. The media hounded us for a few weeks. We let them get their photos of us, and now they’ve mostly moved on. There are still plenty of photographers hanging around when we go out, but we try not to let it bother us. And, honestly, it’s made our little public sex fetish that much more of a challenge. I won’t let Shane’s photos deter us from exploring our needs. It’s been fun, and crazy hot, to find ways to be physical without being seen.
I feel big, comforting hands wrap around me from behind. Vance’s warm breath fans across my neck. “This kitchen isn’t a dream, Nancy. Life with your daughter is.”
I smile as I turn my head and inhale my sexy man. Jane and my mother practically coo in delight as they happily watch our interaction.
I whisper in his ear, “I think if we had sex right here, they’d grab popcorn and cheer us on.”
I can feel him laugh as he whispers back, “I think that’s taking our public sex thing a little far, but I’m game if you are.”
I giggle as he moves next to me and asks me what ingredient I need next. “Nope, QB1. You know the corn casserole is a secret O’Shea family recipe. My lips are sealed.”
My mother playfully smacks me with a tea towel. “Vance is family. Perhaps tomorrow morning might be a great time to make it official,” she not-so-subtly hints.
It’s Christmas Eve. The Camels have a home game tomorrow afternoon. We were miraculously able to talk both our families into visiting for Christmas this year. I know they’re all hoping for a Christmas morning engagement, but that’s not happening.
I hear Jane suddenly yell, “Mother! That’s enough brandy in the eggnog.”
MeeMaw smiles innocently. “No problem, honey,” but when Jane turns back around, MeeMaw pours the rest of the bottle into the bowl and winks at me. I never realized what a deviant that woman is while I was growing up.
My mother asks, “What’s with all the plastic by the door over there?” She points to the disaster that’s been driving me nuts for the past few weeks. I was hoping they’d be done by now, but they’re not. The contractor said to stay away from it over the holidays, and they’ll be back in January to finish it.
“It’s Vance’s mancave. His contractor has been working on it for weeks. He won’t let me see it. He said it’s boys only in there.”
I suppose he’s been a bachelor for thirty-two years and needs a space in the house to call his own. I still think it’s weird that he won’t let me see it, but I’ll take a peek when it’s done. Collin has told me no less than a hundred times that it’s unsafe down there while construction is happening.
The doorbell rings, and Vance smirks. “That must be the Humblecuts. I’ll get the door. Prepare for madness.”
VANCE
I look around my dining room table and realize it’s full of all the people I love in the world. I’ve never been happier in my entire life. The future looks bright for the first time in a long time.
This is the first Christmas I’ve ever hosted. I’ve never once gotten my parents to fly to me for the holiday.
Sulley grabs my hand under the table and whispers, “Are you okay?”
I lean over and kiss her cheek. “More than okay. I love you, Gully Sulley.”
“I love you too, Vile Vance.”
MeeMaw is a little tipsy tonight. I’m not sure what she put in the eggnog, but she’s been downing it by the gallon. She looks at Daylen. “Your sisters are very pretty.”
He chuckles. “I know what you’re doing, you old hag. Ashleigh is my dad’s wife, not my sister.”
MeeMaw giggles, and Mom shakes her head in disapproval. “I’m so sorry for my mother, Hank. I think she spiked the eggnog with her heavy hand.”
Hank releases a loud laugh as he kisses Ashleigh’s cheek. “It happens all the time, Jane. I can’t help that my bride hasn’t aged a day since I met her.”
I think surgery has a lot to do with it, but I’ll keep that to myself.
I turn to Jagger. “How’s school going? Are you starting to think about college?”
She nods. “Yes. I’ve had some interest from college coaches to play softball. I’m trying to decide if that’s an avenue I wantto pursue.”
Sulley playfully narrows her eyes at her. “Why not basketball? You have the height for it.”
Jagger shrugs. “I’m better at softball. And I like being outdoors.”
