“Boys, you take real good care of our Medley, ya hear?” she asks, and they both give a resolute, “Yes, ma’am, we will.”
I try not to roll my eyes, because it’s clear what she’s gettin’ at. What surprises me though is that she more or less gives them both the green light to try and pursue me. I knew my parents were open and acceptin’ people. I mean, they didn’t bat a lash at the whole demon thing, but I didn’t think somethin’ like this would go over so easily.
If only she knew I threw myself at them hard last night, only to land on my face and wake up with a very bruised ego. Knowin’ her, she’d probably just tell me to get back up on that horse. If only it were that easy.
“Okay, Mama, we’re gonna go,” I tell her. “We’ll call again to check in when we get a moment,” I add, lookin’ up at Alder to double check that I’m not talkin’ out of my ass here. He nods.
“Okay, HB, you and the boys stay safe, and don’t worry about me and your daddy. We’re happy as clams. I’m gonna teach the imps to make roast and squirrel stew today,” she adds, and I give her my best “oh that sounds fun” reply. Poor imps.
“Oh, and there’s food in the fridge. Make sure y’all eat.”
I snort, and we all quickly say our goodbyes before I end the call and hand Alder back his phone.
“Squirrel stew?” he asks with a concerned look on his face.
I chuckle. “It’s just beef stew. She calls it that to mess with other relatives who think we’re more bumpkin’ than we are. You should see the look on their faces at reunions when she hands them a bowl, and their good manners war with their disgust. The rest of the family all know what’s what, and they all dig in while offerin’ encouragin’ looks and gestures to enjoy. It’s good times.”
Flint and Alder both chuckle, and Alder puts the phone back in his pocket and runs his hand through his bright yellow hair.
“You ready to go meet some other Guardians?” Flint asks me with a ready clap.
I look down at what I’m wearin’ and doubt fills me. “Should I go change?” I ask, not sure what a girl’s supposed to wear when she meets other important demons. Maybe the slacks and button-up I reserve for interviews? Sure wish that skirt hadn’t been destroyed last night. Then again, Alder cuttin’ it off will be a memory I treasure for the rest of my lifetime, regardless of the fact that he didn’t capitalize on my state of undress.
That’s what fantasies are for, right? Right.
“Nope, you look good enough to eat, Peaches,” Flint tells me, and then I swear I hear Alder hum a couple bars of “Peaches and Cream.” I look over at him, shocked, but he just gives me a smooth smile and holds his hand out.
“Let’s go meet Delta and her demons.”
My mind races with wonder as I try to think through their flirtin’ and read into what’s goin’ down. For some reason, I get the distinct impression that we’re all about to lay our cards down on the table and wait to see what happens next.
I take a deep, fortifyin’ breath and place my hand in his. My gaze flits from Alder’s butterscotch-dipped irises to Flint’s dark gray gaze before I let my own eyes bank with heat as I answer with double meanin’. “I’m ready.”
And boy, am I ever.
21
One second, I’m in their office, and the next, I’m standin’ on a long gravel driveway. We’re definitely not in Sweetgreen anymore. For one, the air is different. Shit, the sun feels different too. Unlike Georgia, it’s not hotter than a goat’s butt in a pepper patch. Nope, here, there’s a damn cool breeze. Like wherever we are just wants to rub it in that it’s better.
I spin, takin’ in my surroundings, only to stop once I do a one-eighty. My mouth immediately drops open in awe. “That’s the Guardians’ house?” I ask, my eyes nearly buggin’ out of my sockets.
Flint and Alder are standin’ on either side of me, but Flint’s the one who answers. “Yep. They’re rich enough to buy a new boat every time theirs gets wet,” he tells me with a grin.
“Damn,” I say, lookin’ at the mansion with awe. It’s huge. Looks like somethin’ out of a regency romance.
“Welcome to Perdition Estate,” Alder tells me as we start walkin’ toward it.
“Why don’t y’all have a mansion?” I ask.
Flint snorts, while Alder looks over at me with a cocked brow. “Something wrong with our house?”
“Course not,” I say with a shake of my head. “It’s just...well, Delta did alright for herself, what with baggin’ four hot demons and livin’ in a mansion.”
Now it’s Flint’s turn to arch an eyebrow at me. “Who said they were hot?”
I lift a shoulder, my eyes skatin’ over the two of them. “Just a guess.”
“Did you just imply that Delta’s demons are hot because you think we’re hot?” Alder asks me, his lips pullin’ up into a grin.
I keep my gaze straight ahead. “I may have.”
The two of them share a look, and I wish so badly that I could know what it is they’re thinkin’, but before I can even attempt a guess, my phone buzzes in my back pocket. I slip it out and see a new message from an unknown number.
Hey Medley, it’s Bob Grace. I got a new phone number. My old one didn’t seem to be workin’ right. Anyway, how’s about you meet me for dinner tomorrow night?
A sigh escapes me. “Oh, Bob Grace. Couldn’t catch a hint with a baseball mitt.”
I start to write out a reply, thinkin’ of how I can let him down easy, but before my thumbs can even start movin’, the phone gets plucked from my grasp.
“Hey!”
Alder looks down at the phone with a frown over his
