Page 143 of Cross the Line
The cabin smells delicious. The scent of rosewater and honey roasted nuts takes me straight back to my childhood and long visits from Bibi during the summer. She’d pool me around hockey camps and training.
Nobody would mess with me when she was around because she was different from all the hockey grandmas with her darker skin and headscarf. She’d give people one hard look, and they would back off. At the same time, she could give them a smile, and they would be enamored by her.
“Mmm… What’s the smell?” Finley inhales as we toe off our boots.
“That’s Bibi’s nougat. It’s like the best fucking thing ever,” I say, grabbing her hand and hustling down the hall.
Presents are stacked high against the wall, waiting to be put under the tree, and there is a distinct sound of kids going feral in the house.
“For God’s sake,” I mutter, tripping over a minefield of shoes as I guide Finley and Eli toward the kitchen.
“Wait.” Eli pauses at the sudden eruption ahead. “Who’s actually here?”
“Bibi, my uncle, and his family.”
“Sounds like a lot of people.” Finley peeks in, then darts back into Eli and me.
“Seven of them are kids, so they’re only half-people, which means it’s more like only seven and a half more people,” I try to diffuse some of Finley’s worries.
This is why I took them to the Christmas market this morning. I washoping that by the time we came back, the chaos would have subsided, and it wouldn’t send them running for the mountains.
“And there’s more coming tomorrow?” she asks, eyes wide, bouncing between Eli and me.
“Yeah, The Sire’s parents are coming, and his sisters with their families. They stay at an Airbnb further up the mountain with my Dad’s parents. He’s an only child like Momma, so it’s just them,” I shrug. Her eyes bug.
“What about your momma’s family?” she asks, stealing another peek as Kailey yells dibs on something. She loves winding the kids up.
“They’re dead.” And if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be here, anyway—too afraid homosexuality might be contagious.
Fuck ‘em. Wherever they’ve ended up.
“This is like a feast day,” Eli offers, taking the attention off my short reply. “Only, with people we don’t know.”
Finley nods, giving my hand a tender squeeze while she smiles up at me.
“I know we’re a big family. It can get rowdy and chaotic, but they’re fun, and I can guarantee that they already love you, even though they haven’t met you yet.” I tuck her into Eli so I can meet both of their gazes at once. “If it gets too much, give me a sign, and I’ll save you.”
Eli chuckles. “Have you met you?” He gives me a cocked grin and leans into Finley’s ear. “If we can survive hyperactive Sugar Cookie on the daily, I’m sure we’re going to be fine, sweet girl.”
Finley bursts out laughing. “So true.”
“What? Hey… you’re my family now. You’re meant to make me look like the normal one out of this crazy bunch.” I’m groaning, but it sounds suspiciously like a laugh.
“Hate to break it to you, JJ, but I don’t think we’re ever going to tick the ‘normal’ box,” Eli says, gripping my hip and tugging me into him and Finley. “Besides, you’re perfect the way you are.”
“Amen,” Finley chirps into my chest, kissing over my heart as Eli plants a quick, chaste kiss on my mouth.
“Relax, Sunshine.” His breath warms my skin.
I shiver into them. “I am relaxed.”
Motherfuck!He does it again. Pinching my hip, he has me melting into a giggle.
“No. Stop it… Stop tickling me!”What the actual hell is this?
In my entire life, I’ve never had a tickle spot. Now he’s found one and weaponized it.
“But, Baby, you’re laughing,” Eli coos, easing off only to dig in again.
