My brothers know I’m in deep for my roommate and I don’t even care to hide it. It’s getting harder and harder to act all macho. When she’s around, I’m a muscled pile of goo.
I force my attention to the game. The boys might actually have a shot at winning today. Watching my team on the field without me was hard when I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to play football again. But now, with my future and career suddenly back in motion, I can breathe a whole lot easier. It’s only a matter of time until I’m back out there living my dream.
While Iowa’s defense is on the field, my eyes drift back to the kitchen for another peek at my girl. My mom catches me staring before I can look away.
Ma puffs up so full with giddy happiness, I swear she’s about to explode. I give her a guilty smile. She does this weird thing with her face before exploding into a wide grin.
Wow. What was that? Did my mother just try to wink at me?
Cannon belts out a laugh, confirming what I think I saw.
Ever since she busted us during our hot and heavy workout session, Ma’s been in a frenzy over the idea of me and Iris together. So she’s downright pleased to see our budding relationship playing out now. When I passed her in the hallway earlier, she yanked on my ear and discreetly promised to put in a good word with Iris for me.
Christ, she’s going to screw this up for me before I even make it official.
All day, there’s the usual banter and teasing that comes with being around my family, and I’m in the best of moods because Iris is here with me.
Callie streaks through the room in a blur of giggles, Jessa hot on her heels. In a flash, they're gone again.
During a commercial break, Cannon and Lexi fill us in on the new business venture they’re setting up together.
“It’s basically a non-profit consulting firm to help Crescent Harbor’s small business community,” Cannon explains as he loops an arm around his wife’s shoulder.
“Cannon always has all these ideas about how to make the local businesses more efficient so we figured, why not set up an organization to provide the town’s businesses with the resources they need.” Lexi cuddles against my brother’s side. “We’ll be having the first one-on-one consulting sessions in a week or two.”
From across the room, I give Iris ‘the eyes’. This is exactly the opportunity she needs. I may be able to help out financially, but I don’t have the first clue about running a business. That’s Cannon’s expertise.
At the look of interest on Iris’s face, I address my sister-in-law. “Lex, you think you can save a spot in your calendar for Iris and me?”
I feel the heavy weight of the room shift my way.
“Okay…” Lexi says, her eyebrow slowly inching up her forehead.
Cannon rests an elbow on his knee. “You two going into business together?” His eyes move between my roomie and me.
Iris nervously bites her lip. “We’re going to partner up and put in an offer for the flower shop.”
My mother’s whoop of excitement fills the air. It seems like half the room is speaking at once. There’s rambling. And hugs. Lots of hugs. It’s all enthusiasm. It’s all love.
Soon, the ladies bring in several platters of fruits and veggie-based snacks, arranging them on the coffee table. Penny sits in an armchair and, as usual, she and Walker pretend to not be stealing constant peeks at each other across the room .
I pat the couch next to me, silently telling Iris to come sit by my side. She eyes be bashfully. But thankfully, I’m irresistible as fuck, so she joins me. My fingers are itching to touch her body. I discreetly play with the back of her shirt, teasing the soft skin at her waistline. The world feels right when she sighs and leans into my hold.
“Where’s the real food?” Dad huffs. “I thought there’d be meat. Wings. Ribs. Real food.”
Mom playfully slaps his arm. “Jude has to stay in shape so I thought we’d go a little healthier this time.” She smiles lovingly at me, and I can almost hear my brothers’ eyes rolling around in their thick skulls.
Haters, I tell you. Haters.
I grin around the room just to piss off the other Kingston men.
“It’s really not that bad,” Iris says in defense of her healthy finger foods.
“Try this one.” Ma holds a cauliflower tater tot to Dad’s lips.
“If you eat one of those, you won’t be able to stop,” I warn, proud of my girl and her cooking.
Dad looks skeptical but he opens his mouth to accept the snack from my mother anyway. One taste and he’s instantly reaching for another one. He bites my mother’s shoulder when she laughs at him.
“This is nice,” the Kingston matriarch sighs wistfully, glancing around the packed living room at us all. “When Eli gets home, we’re going to have to do this every Sunday.”
“When Eli gets home?” Walker spits out a bitter laugh as he munches on a treat. “You’ll be waiting a long time for that.”
Mom looks downright guilty. She and my father share a glance.
“What?” Walker leans forward in his seat. “What’s going on?”
Dad clears his throat and speaks up. “Actually, Eli might be released early. When I spoke to him last week, he said some lawyer took over his case pro bono.”
Cannon clears his throat uncomfortably. “Actually, that’s Frank. My lawyer.”
“What the hell? You spoke to him last week? He’s getting released early?” Walker doesn’t look pleased.
“We’ve been going to visit him.” Ma makes the quiet
