Page 78 of Sin

Just as Nick face planted into the ground, causing the sidewalk to crack, the porch light flicked on.

“Bennett!” Nick hissed, saying the name like it was a curse as he tried to crawl toward the dead bushes, but he was too late.

The front door opened, and a woman’s surprised gasp filled the air.

“Well, I’d know those cheeks anywhere!” the voice called, and a middle-aged woman with long, flowing blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile pushed out of the house.

Nick lamented his woes into the grass while Charlie and Bennett snickered off to the side of the house, hiding by the garage door. The woman, presumably Nick’s mother, slipped out onto the front porch and placed her hands on her hips while she cocked her head at her son who looked like he’d given up on life. “Nick, sweetie,” she called to the man, still face down, ass up, on the grass. “What on earth are you doing?”

“Questioning all my life decisions,” he mumbled into the ground.

“Well, maybe you could do that with your clothes on? I have nosy neighbors, and you know Mrs. Mcgee has a weak heart.”

Nick growled something I couldn’t make out and finally moved to pull his pants up over his ass, only making Bennett and Charlie laugh harder.

Nick’s mom peeked around the porch, spotting the two hooligans making complete fools of themselves while they brayed like donkeys.

“Charlie! Bennett! You’re early.”

Early?

She waved them over, beaming while Nick finished yanking his pants on. “I wish you’d told me you were on your way! Dinner’s still cooking, but I can whip up some snacks if you’re hungry?”

Bennett embraced her, planting a big kiss on both her cheeks. “Sorry, Ange. We just happened to be in the neighborhood and decided to come early.”

London, Mare, Eva, and I all exchanged looks.

“Anyone know how to hotwire a truck?” I asked hopefully.

Eva started to speak up, but then Nick’s mom said, “And who’s over here? Is that you London, dear?”

Angela was suddenly right in front of us, and my plans for escaping were officially squashed as she beamed around at us. But before she could speak, the flash of car lights lit her face just before a small, black sedan pulled into Angela’s driveway. I didn’t recognize the car, but I did recognize the passengers.

“He didn’t,” London growled, covering his face.

“What the hell is going on right now?” Mare hissed.

We didn’t get a chance to respond before the blonde woman with blue, twinkling eyes, Angela, rushed over to help Sarah out of the sedan. Sarah. London’s mother.

She wasn’t alone either. All three of London’s sisters climbed out of the car with their mother, looking around at all of us in confusion.

Probably wondering why several of us were crouching in bushes.

As if thinking the same thing, London lurched to his feet, dusting dirt off his knees and glaring daggers at the devious shapeshifter winking at him from the driveway.

“Sarah!” Bennett called, throwing his arms around her while still grinning like a fiend at London. “I’m so glad you made it. London’s been going on and on about how excited he is to see you at dinner tonight.”

Someone pinched me, making me curse, and I scowled over at a befuddled Mare.

“Seriously,” she whisper-shouted at me. “What’s going on right now?”

“Why do you think I know?” I whisper-shouted right back.

Sarah turned then, spotting London and smiling big and bright. She looked so much like her daughters, her cheekbones high and prominent, her lips full and eyes kind. The soft lights from the house shined over her afro, like a moon on a glassy lake, and the ends of her curls brushed her shoulders.

Before she could say hello, a little tornado of energy bounded over to us, crashing right into London’s arms. London let out a grunt as his youngest sister, Allie, wrapped her arms around him.

“Donny!” she cried, making Bennett smile proudly as he wrapped an arm around Sarah’s shoulders and started urging her toward the porch. Amanda and Abigail hesitated, glancing at us, before following Sarah inside.

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