Page 77 of Crossing the Line
Emmett clapped him on the shoulder. “Son, sometimes our women don’t want to be protected. They want to be supported when they go out and kick ass on their own.”
Xavier sighed. “You’re a wise man, Dad.”
Emmett raised his beer. “Your mother is responsible for that.”
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Dinner was a loud, casual affair. Pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots and peas, and homemade apple pie for dessert were doled out around the table as everyone talked and argued over each other. The easy affection Xavier and his sisters shared made Waverly wonder what it would have been like to grow up with siblings.
And then there were the stories. Waverly was treated to volumes of Saint history, the more embarrassing the better. There was the time Emmett was late for work—he ran a civil engineering firm—and forgot to put the garage door up before driving through it. One Easter Eve, Carol had hidden three-dozen hardboiled eggs in the yard after hosting a particularly thirsty wine club. Only twenty-two eggs had been found, the rest rotted in the yard for the better part of the spring, making the entire neighborhood smell of sulfur on breezy days.
And there were stories about Xavier. Waverly’s personal favorite was when Xavier overheard Chelsea’s new boyfriend bragging about his less than respectful weekend “plans” in the locker room. It had taken the gym teacher and football coach to unwedge him from the locker Xavier had stuffed him into.
Family came easily to them. Affection, love, and a fierce acceptance of each member in its fold.
It hit her like an arrow to the heart. This is what she’d wanted growing up. This is what she’d want for a family of her own someday.
After dinner came clean up, in which everyone except Carol participated. Carol took her glass of wine and sat at the island directing. Once the dishwasher was loaded and running and every surface was spotless, one of the girls produced a Blu-ray ofDark Waters, Waverly’s thriller with Dante Wrede.
“No. Absolutely not,” Xavier said, drawing the line.
“Come on! Please!” Madeline begged. “This is one of my all-time favorite movies, and Waverly is here! It’ll be like having backstage access.”
“A lot of actors don’t like to watch themselves on screen,” Xavier argued.
“Do you mind watching yourself?” Madeline asked, her big brown eyes pleaded with Waverly.
“I’ve done it before,” Waverly said diplomatically. It was impossible for her to enjoy watching a movie she’d been in. There was no way to suspend disbelief after you spent two months on set dealing with thousands and thousands of takes, hours of make-up, shoots that ran right up to dawn, and the inevitable personality conflicts whether it be with a co-star, crew, or studio rep.
“See!” Madeline crowed in triumph. “Waverly, will you watch this with us, pleeease?” Chelsea poked her head over Madeline’s shoulder and they both stuck their bottom lips out.
“Oh, for God’s sake. Haven’t you outgrown that yet?” Xavier grumbled.
“Why would we?” Madeline wanted to know. “It still works.”
“Don’t fall for their shit, Waverly,” Xavier warned.
“What’s this movie about?” Emmett wanted to know. Madeline handed it over without breaking her pouty face. Her father pulled out a pair of reading glasses and perused the back of the case.
“Don’t be such a Grumpy Gus, Zav,” Chelsea mocked.
Xavier playfully shoved her in the shoulder. In seconds it was a free for all with Xavier’s sisters jumping him in a coordinated attack. Chelsea went for the shoulders, and Madeline swept his legs. Xavier put up a good fight but ended up going down and shoving the rolling island a good foot in the opposite direction.
Emmett stepped out of the way of the fray still reading. Carol looked on over the rim of her wine glass. “Children, please,” she said half-heartedly.
They rolled, a tangle of arms and legs, into Waverly, and she went down on top of the pile. Xavier finally clawed his way off the bottom and pinned all three of them beneath him by laying across them.
“Say ‘Xavier is the greatest,’” he ordered. “Ouch! Stop biting, Mad.”
“Girls, what is Waverly going to think about our family?” Emmett sighed.
“That we’re awesome?” Chelsea wheezed. “Oh my God, get your fat ass off of me, Zav!”
“Say it.”
He added tickling fingers where he could reach and had all three of them shrieking the words.
“Xavier Saint, get off your sisters and your client,” Carol ordered. “Do you see why I never go anywhere public with you idiots?”
