He stares into my eyes. “Let’s just forget it, okay? You figured it out, and now you can relax. I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud of me, too,” I realize with no shortage of surprise.
He nudges his nose with mine. “I love you, and I can’t wait to introduce you to everyone this weekend.”
My euphoria fades, but I keep my smile plastered on my face and hope he doesn’t see it deaden in my eyes. “That’s right. Three more days.” Blinking that dreadful thought away, I focus on his mouth, edging closer to mine. “I love you, too,” I say, right before contact.
Twenty-Two
Knox Family Invasion
The Knox Family Circus arrives from the airport, kids and luggage and yelling parents tumbling from the two SUVs they’ve rented for the week. Through the bodies flowing into the entryway, Jet looks at me across the space and grins.
“Yep. This is about right,” he says, wending his way to my side.
While his siblings wrangle their kids, we perform some distracted introductions, mostly shouting names and nodding over the din, followed by hugs for Jet as each person files past us. I take advantage of the chaos to observe and commit names to faces and personalities.
I already know from pictures that Keith and David are both easily four inches taller than Jet, but seeing it in person is a whole other story. They’re not professional athletes so, therefore, they aren’t as diligent about diet and exercise as their little (literally, in this case) brother. Keith, the older of the two, laughs and claps people on backs and lifts his siblings’ kids, tickling them and making a big deal about how big they’ve grown. If I were a kid, I’d be terrified of that guy, but they seem to love him.
David watches on with a quiet smile, but Jet tells me he has a good sense of humor and comes out of his shell the more you get to know him. I look forward to seeing the similarities—and differences—between David, as the middle son, and his brothers.
As far as Jet’s sisters-in-law go, once again, I’m enjoying the rare experience of feeling diminutive since they both measure in at more than six feet tall. Keith’s wife, Lucy, rail thin and kitted out in designer everything from head-to-toe, gives her husband a run for his money on the Loudest Entrance Award as she herds her two kids with a hand on each of their heads toward the nearest bathroom, yelling about someone getting into the chocolate without permission.
Somewhat more sedate, David’s wife, Tammy, holds a baby on her hip and periodically shushes her older child, a three-year-old boy whom she otherwise ignores while he repeatedly tries to climb her legs.
Jet’s older sister, the tan, blonde, and buxom Bridget (nicknamed “Gidget”), walks through the door, takes one look at the confusion, and booms, “Everyone to their rooms! Meet in the living room in fifteen!”
The resultant silence is not only jarring, but it’s eerie how everybody carries out her command, without question.
On her way past Jet and me, she mutters, “Someone’s gotta take control here, or we’ll never get anything accomplished this week.” After hugging her little brother, she smiles at me. “Hey, there. I’d tell you not to be too afraid. But you probably should be.”
Jet’s parents, Gloria and Ned, stumble last through the door. The dutiful son grabs their suitcases and leans down for a kiss from his mom, who acts like it’s been years, not mere weeks, since she’s seen him.
“How’s my baby boy?” she asks, wiping her lipstick from his cheek. “You’re looking big and strong, as usual. Oh, I’ve missed you!” She pulls him in for a more intense hug, her eyes pinched closed with rapture. Still clinging to his shoulders, she opens her eyes to regard me, studying me like I’d imagine she’d admire a stylish fashion accessory worn by him. “Hello, Dear.”
I manage to reply politely and eloquently. At least, I think I do; it’s still difficult to hear myself over my ringing ears.
Jet quickly takes over, standing at his full height, introducing me more formally to his parents, and gushing about how excited he’s been for this week.
“Well, I need to go lie down for about a day,” Gloria quips. “Thank goodness we were on three separate planes. The drive from the airport was enough to kill me.”
“What’s the deal with the highway construction?” Ned gripes. “The detours were outrageous!”
Jet says something about winter pothole repair and promises to work out a better route back to KCI before their departure, then follows them with their bags up the stairs, tossing over the banister at me, “I’ll be right back.”
The rest of the day is a blur of simultaneous conversations and kids running in and out of the house. And laughter—lots of laughter. The Knoxes are happy people. Happy people who like to tease each other constantly, especially Jet and his brothers.
At the front door, as I’m leaving for the night, Jet brushes my bangs off my forehead and says down into my face, “Thanks for being such a good sport today.”
“It was good to meet everyone and talk,” I reply, resting my arms on his shoulders and wrapping my hands around the back of his neck. “I have a feeling I’m going to hear a lot of great Jet stories in the next few days.”
He groans. “I might have to lay down some bribes tonight to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He kisses me, then grabs my hand as I let go of him to open the front door. “Hey, I’ll text you later and let you know the plan for tomorrow.”
I nod, suddenly nervous about leaving. As soon as the door closes on me, the discussion will open about me. Not that I worry anyone will say anything negative to Jet—or that I’ve given them any reason to do so. It’s just
