“Exactly,” she says, and then adds, “Have a great time tonight.”
“I will.” Hopefully.
“See you at breakfast.”
Wait… what? “What?”
“We’re all meeting you for breakfast in the morning,” she says, and I blink at the ceiling, wondering how it would feel to be in a family that didn’t care at all about what I was doing or who I was going out with.
With a short shake of my head, I realize I probably wouldn’t like it much. My family might be insane and a whole lot in my business, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
“I guess I’ll see you in the morning.” I sigh.
She laughs then says what she always says when we’re hanging up. “Love you beyond each and every galaxy, beautiful girl.”
“Love you more than that, Mom, and tell Dad I love him just as much.”
“He knows, but I’ll tell him anyway,” she promises, and I know she’s grinning, because I can hear it in her voice. “Have fun tonight, and be safe.”
“I will.”
“Until later, honey.”
“Until then.” I pull my cell from my ear and glance at the clock. I see I still have an hour to read before I need to start getting ready, so I turn my phone on silent so I won’t be interrupted, pick up my Kindle that’s resting on my lap, and flip it on. I proceed to get lost in a story that’s filled with adventure, magic, and romance, and while I read, I try not to think about my boring life. I try not to wonder what would happen if I had an adventure of my own.
Still, I think and wonder until I look at the clock and realize that Gareth is going to be here in less than a half an hour and I’m going to be late for our first date.
Six
Gareth
I SIT UP on my weight bench then lean forward, placing each of the fifty-pound weights in my hands on the ground at my feet, when I hear Max shout, “Dad, we’re home!” over the music I have playing.
I get up, turn down the radio, and shout back, “I’m in the garage!” listening to the sound of footsteps on the hardwood floors get closer. “Did you guys have fun?” I ask Max as he jumps through the open doorway with his brother, my twin sisters following close behind.
“Of course, they had fun,” Sejla says as I pick up my weights and place them on the rack where they belong.
“What is that smell?” Selma asks.
“It’s called sweat.” Max laughs.
“It’s gross. You need a candle or something in here,” Selma waves her hand in front of her face.
“It’s a gym. It’s not really supposed to smell good,” Mitchell informs his aunt with a smile, and I chuckle.
“Well, boys are gross,” she says with a disgusted expression.
“What are we doing tonight, Dad?” Mitch steps up onto the treadmill and turns it on before proceeding to walk backward.
“You boys are hanging with Grandma for a few hours tonight.”
“Are you working with Grandma B? Can I come to watch?” Max asks, and I shake my head.
“Where are you going then?” Mitchell asks, studying me.
Fuck, it shouldn’t be so fucking hard to say I’m going on a date, but it is, since it’s not something I’ve ever had to tell them before. “I have a date.”
“A date? Like… with a girl?” Max asks, and I hear either Selma or Sejla laugh, but I’m not sure which one, since their laughs are almost as identical as they are.
“Yeah.”
“With who?” Mitch questions, and I look at him.
“December.”
“Miss Mayson?” His brows knit together over his eyes.
“Yeah, you okay with that?” Shit, I don’t even know what I’d do if he says no.
“That’s cool.” He shrugs.
“You’re going out on a date with December Mayson?” Selma asks, and I look at her.
“Yeah.”
“Wow.” She looks at Sejla, and they share a look that I’ve learned over the years is actually a full-blown conversation.
“Who’s December?” Max asks, glancing at everyone in the room with a look that states he’s feeling left out.
“She’s cool,” Mitchell tells his brother. “She’s a teacher.”
“At the high school?” Max clarifies.
“No, she teaches first graders.”
Max frowns. “Then how do you know her?”
“She and a few other first grade teachers bring their classes to the high school once a week. Me and a bunch of the kids in my class play games with them, shoot hoops, or read books. It’s fun, and plus we get to skip study hall,” he says like that is the best part. “Miss Mayson is one of the coolest teachers who comes. Most of the other teachers are stuck up, but she’s always laughing and joking with us when she’s there.”
“Cool,” Max says, and Mitchell grins.
“About that, kid. I don’t remember you ever mentioning it to me,” I say, watching my oldest closely.
“It’s not a big deal.” He shrugs casually before he turns to press the up arrow and increase his speed on the treadmill.