Page 77 of Hidden Plays
“Are we cool?” I held my breath. It was the most important question I had.
He scoffed a laugh. “Yeah, fuck yeah. Why wouldn’t I be? You’re still Holden, right? Just a cock-sucking version of Holden.” He burst into a belly laugh.
“Fuck off, Arden.” I laughed with him, my shoulders shaking. “But yeah.” I couldn’t deny it. One more person out of the way.
On Thanksgiving Day,I drove to JJ’s mansion in North Scottsdale using the map app on my phone. As I pulled into a circular drive, I peeked through my windshield at the house. The building’s two-story footprint spanned nearly an acre. The style was typical of the area, all tan stucco with modern Tuscanaccents—a tile roof and decorative moldings around the windows and turrets. I knew JJ’s family was rich, but holy hell.
Stepping out of my car, I raked my gaze over the expanse of land on either side of the home, landscaped with areas of grass, small cactus gardens and tall trees. What would his parents think of me? My family wasn’t rich. I’d never seen such a house. I clenched my fists as my stomach twisted.
One of the huge, ornately carved double doors opened, and JJ stepped out, his tall frame outfitted in a nice blue polo and dark slacks. “Hey, babe. Come on in.” He waved me over.
I slid my damp palms over the nicest black jeans I owned and adjusted my thin gray sweater on my chest. “Hey.” I ambled to him.
He grabbed my hand and pressed a quick kiss on my mouth. Holding our entwined hands between us, he said, “Aw, babe, are you nervous? Your palms are sweaty.” His brows creased.
“Yeah, a bit.” My gaze roamed over the tall portico and the pillars holding it up. “This place is amazing.”
“Yeah, it’s home.” He wrinkled his brows. “It’s only a house, Holden. And my parents and sister are only people.”
“Wealthy people.” Why was this so hard? I should be happy my boyfriend had a rich family and was so down to earth himself. My gaze found his. “I’ve seen homes like this but never been inside.”
“Well, let’s take you in then.” He turned and stepped inside the doorway, onto large marble tiles. “We have the living room.” He swiped his arm over the area full of cream furniture with dark wood accents in turn-of-the-century style. “And?—”
“Why didn’t you tell me your boyfriend was here?” A young woman approached, her brown hair highlighted and falling in waves around her shoulders. Her wide-legged pants billowed around her legs as she walked, and her cropped brown sweater revealed a flat stomach.
“He just got here.” JJ scoffed. “Holden, meet my sister, Nicole.” He released my hand.
She took both my hands in hers and held them up, her blue-eyed gaze meeting mine, her forehead wrinkling. “It’s so good to meet you, Holden. JJ has told me great things about you.” Her genuine smile lit her face.
“Thank you. It’s great to meet you too.” She seemed nice. Just a regular girl in a multi-million-dollar home, probably wearing a grand worth of designer clothing. Fuck, I had to calm these thoughts, or my nerves would never settle.
“Everyone’s in the family room.” Twisting, she pulled me down the hallway.
I glanced at JJ, following us. She was assertive, sort of like JJ.
He shrugged and strolled beside me. “I guess the house tour can wait.”
She tutted. “Mom wants to meet Holden.”
As we came to the end of the hallway, a massive room opened to us with vaulted ceilings and wooden beams running across them. A modern kitchen with built-in appliances, marble counters matching the floor tiles and dark wood cabinets rested to the left.
A woman in a thin white sweater and a long skirt opened the double oven and closed it. She tapped her manicured fingers on her red lips. “I think it needs another hour and then—” Her gaze swung to me and widened. “Oh, you must be Holden?” As a smile spread across her mouth, fine lines showed around her blue eyes, the same color as JJ’s. Her straight blonde hair fell to her shoulders. She must have given JJ his amazing blue eyes.
“Hi, uh…” What the hell was I supposed to call her? “Mrs. Matthews.” Stepping to her, I extended a hand.
Nicole hopped on her toes, a knowing smirk on her mouth.
“Kelly, please.” She grabbed my hand with both of hers and held it. “My, what a handsome young man. My son has great taste.” She swept her gaze over me, releasing my hands.
“Thanks, Mom. I told you he was stunning.” JJ hooked an arm around my waist.
Kelly clasped her hands in front of her. “You know, Jordan’snever brought a boy home before. You’re the first.” She ticked her brows. “You must be something special.”
“Oh, he is, Mom. He’s a keeper.” JJ kissed my cheek.
“Well, it’s too bad you can’t stay long enough to meet my brother. You could have talked football with him.” She glanced at JJ.
“Yeah, another day.” JJ pressed his lips together. “Let’s take you to meet Dad.”
