Page 2 of Addicted to You
The banter continued as we got closer to Boston. The guys often frustrated me with their concern about my well-being, but I couldn’t imagine sharing this wild ride with anyone else.
My hangover had dulledto a slight throb by the time the jet landed in Boston, thanks to some ibuprofen and a bottle of water. I still felt like crap, but at least I could function like a human.
The cabin door opened, and the frigid New England air stung my face. I zipped up my jacket and followed the others down the steps onto the tarmac.
“See you next week.” Elliott clapped me on the back as the guysand I walked toward his parents’ vehicle. “Try not to let things get too out of hand before then.”
“No promises.” I grinned, and waved to his mom and dad before he climbed inside and took off.
Jesse shook his head at me as his parents rushed over to hug him and Olivia.
“It’s so exciting having you all home. You boys should drop by the house if you have any free time,” Mrs. Bennett said to me and Malachi as Jesse tossed their luggage in the trunk. “I miss having everyone around and rummaging through my kitchen.”
“I’ll try to stop by,” I replied, although with the holidays and my family’s annual ski trip, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to.
Malachi and I continued toward where his parents were parked.
“Take it easy, man,” I said as he hopped inside.
“You too. I’ll see you in the new year.”
A few seconds later my parents’ SUV pulled up, my mom waving excitedly from the passenger seat. She practically threw the door open the second she saw me.
“Silas!” She hurried over and pulled me into a tight hug, her arms squeezing the air out of my lungs. “Oh, honey, you look so thin! Are you eating enough? You’re not eating enough, are you?”
“I’m fine, Mom.” I patted her back gently.
She stepped back, her eyes raking over me, and her brow furrowed as she took in my face. “You’re pale and have dark circles under your eyes. Are you getting enough sleep? You look tired.”
“Mom,” I cut her off. “I’m fine. It was just a long flight.”
My dad wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Good to have you home, Son,” he said, temporarily putting an end to Mom’s questioning.
“Good to be home.” I tossed my suitcase into the back and climbed into the SUV.
“Your sister called earlier,” Mom announced, turning to look at me from the passenger seat as Dad merged with the traffic. “She can’t wait to see you. She’s bringing her boyfriend, by the way. Did I mention that?”
“Once ortwice.” I laughed.
My sister, Britt, and I weren’t super close growing up. She was the “golden child” who always got good grades and rarely caused any trouble for our parents. I, on the other hand, only cared about music and hanging out with my friends when I was a teen. Still, I was looking forward to seeing her. The last time we’d been together was four years ago at the celebratory dinner we attended after Surrender wonThe Band Showdown, a reality TV competition that put our group on the map.
“Oh, stop.” Mom swatted at my leg playfully. “I’m just excited for you to meet Cash. He’s such a sweetheart and so handsome!”
“Yeah, because you thinking he’s cute is what’s going to sell me on the guy,” I teased. “But I guess things must be getting pretty serious if she’s bringing him home for the holidays.”
Mom nodded. “It sure seemed that way when we visited Britt in Houston a few months ago. I told your sister not to let him out of her sight.”
“You know your mother.” Dad chuckled. “She’s already planning the wedding.”
“That’s not true!” she protested. “I just think he’s a nice young man.”
Thirty minutes later, we pulled into the driveway of the modest two-story house I grew up in. So many of my favorite memories were attached to this place, but at the same time, it seemed a world away from my life in LA.
“I’m going to make you a sandwich. You must be starving,” Mom announced as I walked behind her to go inside.
I wasn’t hungry, but I’d let her fuss over me anyway because it was easier than arguing. The house smelled like cinnamon and pine, as it always did around Christmas. I left my suitcase by the stairs and followed my parents into the kitchen, where my mom began rummaging through the refrigerator and pantry for what she needed.
“Are you looking forward to our trip to Mount Sunapee, or has all that California sun you’ve been soaking up turned you off from skiing?” Mom joked as she slathered mustard on one slice of bread before adding some turkey and cheese to the other.
