“She does.” I have no other answer, and quite frankly, I’m floored by my mother’s response.
“She better. You have to be wary of the rich ones,” she warns, with threat in her voice.
Where do you think Sean gets his fight from?
“She isn’t like that.”
“I hope to God for your sake she’s not.” It’s clear my mother doesn’t like the idea of this relationship one bit despite the fact she just said she was happy for me. Which is so typical of her. Say one thing, mean another.
“Look, I gotta go.” I pull the strap of my duffel bag up onto my shoulder. “I’ll be back in a few days. Think you two can handle things around here without me?”
Sean rolls his eyes, and my mother kisses me on the cheek. “We’ll be fine.”
Famous last words.
Right before I leave, I remember something. “Sean? Did you take care of that thing?”
Sean scowls. “Done, brother. No worries.” He’s pissed I brought it up in front of her.
Too bad, so sad.
“What thing?” our mother presses.
“Sean can fill you in,” I deflect with a pseudo-smile. He’s in shit now. Fucker deserves her wrath. She may not win any mother of the year awards, but she can sure as hell flex her parental muscles when she wants to. And she usually does when Sean pulls the old presto-chango with our identities.
“Nice looking out, Ryan,” Sean snaps spitefully right before I walk out the door.
“You did it to yourself,” I snap right back.
* * *
I helpAlana with her bag.
I throw it into the backseat with mine then boost her into the passenger side. She’s ready for a day at the beach dressed in a cute little jean skirt and loose mesh shirt over her bikini top. My favorite one. An orange and yellow tie-dye number with these string thingies dangling from it.
“Did you wear that bathing suit on purpose?” I ask as we pull away from Emily’s house.
“Maybe,” she toys. “I think you mentioned you liked it.”
“I do like it. I like that it barely covers your ass.” I grin, and she smacks me.
“Is that all you want me for? My body?”
“All? No. A majority? Yes.”
“Okay, then,” she acknowledges with a devilish gleam. She’s being playful. I love playful Alana. There isn’t anything hotter. Except maybe naked Alana, and we haven’t gotten that far yet. But I have high hopes for the next few days.
She pulls her shirt off and tosses it under the seat then yanks her hair out of her ponytail, letting the locks loose in the wind. It’s sexy as hell, and she knows just what she’s doing to me.
“Are you trying to tease me?” I eye her as we pull onto the Parkway.
“No, I’m just giving you what you want.” She stretches her arms over her head, elongating her torso and seductively bowing her body.
Holy hell.
“Did you take something this morning? And if so, can I have some?” I laugh.
“No, I’m just looking forward to spending a few days alone with my boyfriend.”