Page 45 of Shifted

"She's with Maria and luckily away from flour. Hopefully, she won't be looking like the Pillsbury dough boy when I get home." His laugh filled my ears as he smiled, but I still felt guilty. I didn't tell him about Amartolós because how could I? That's not just a single-question kind of thing I could answer. There would be ties, and he could find out. I couldn’t put myself at risk.

"So Maria is like her Grandma?" He questioned curiously as I mentioned her to him.

"Yep." I sighed, "You know my parents are a bust, and Maria and Mary Ellen are her grandma's, and well, Maria is actually her Maria." I felt his arms snuggle in from behind, holding me close as we looked at the Boston night sky and down to the square.

Last-minute shoppers were scurrying around, as Christmas Eve was just the day after next. "Do you ever just watch chaos erupt in the streets?" With that, I heard the front door open, and as I turned, I saw a girl with dark ginger hair step inside. She looked around the place without seeing us.

"Wow, is this your pimp cave?" She called out, and I heard him groan lightly in my ear as he turned to face her, and she turned to face us, "And your pimp lady?" She points to me with a smirk.

"God, Maggie, you didn't tell me you were–"

"Coming early? Come on, I need to prep you.” She pointed to him, “For mom and dad... and you.” She pointed at me, “For Mom and Dad!" Her eyes flared with excitement. This was his sister Margaret. “You must be the famous Hope my brother is always blushing about!" She squealed lightly, but in return, I playfully acted confused.

"Hope? Who's this Hope?" I questioned, and silence filled the room. Her eyes slowly widened with fear and regret, causing me to smile. Her face drops in relief at the sign of mine.

"You little bitch!" She rolled her eyes at me and then took me in for a hug, "So you're the poor girl who agreed to be this loser's girlfriend?" She punches Reed’s arm softly and then relaxes, pulling her curled hair up into a bun. Walking across the room to the couch, she throws her red cardigan on it.

“That would be me,” I mumbled, and she turned back, making her way forward towards me. She walked up to me, analyzing me with her bright blue eyes.

"My brother's first serious girlfriend is a lawyer and stunning. Are you sure you're not clinically insane?” I almost laugh at her words but hold back as Reed looks annoyed.

"Okay, Maggie, I think you've said enough." He spoke sternly, and she rolled her eyes. Ignoring him, she took my hands and pulled me down to the couch.

"I saw a picture of your daughter. Oh my god, she's beautiful. She shares your features, but her hair—" I cut her off before her forward questioning. She doesn’t look much like me at points; she takes after her father.

"Her hair and eyes are both her father's, along with her olive skin. I envy her as well." Maggie chuckled as I smiled in thought of him, her father.

"So, are you still in contact with her father?" Reed’s expression only grew in annoyance at her words, and he looked pissed at Maggie.

"Maggie," he warns. I shook my head in response. Her question was valid; I was dating her brother, and she was trying to read me.

"It's okay. He passed up on the opportunity to be in her life. It was his decision. He was a good man, but..."

"He left?" She finished for me, almost shocked by her own words. I sucked in my lips, nodding. It was never easy to explain to someone, but that’s where the truth was held.

"Before he even knew," I added, as the awkward silence that lingered was painful. I hadn't discussed Joely’s father with Reed because I didn't have to. This was new; I didn't owe anyone anything. But she was his sister, being protective like she should, and if anything, I admire that. If my sister were still in my life, I’d wish she’d be like this.

"So, how's my god-awful cousin Grayson? I heard he's marrying your best friend." I nod as her smile returns to her lips.

"Oh, I bless Grayson's poor soul for willingly marrying Arabella. But I love them both. They're happy together, and he treats her right." I chimed as she kicked off her shoes and got comfy on the couch. As she looked at me, I looked down at my current choice of outfit.

"You probably can't take me seriously in these candy cane pajamas?" It was supposed to be my first time staying over at Reed's, but it doesn’t look like I'll be staying.

"Well, you're lucky I'm not Mom and Dad. They'll be here in the morning. So..."

"I should probably go get some rest," I reply, and she shrugs. I knew that signal was, ‘I want alone time with my brother.’ So I took it, and as I looked at Reed, he looked slightly disappointed. "I should go pick up Joely anyway." I stood, and Reed walked me to the door. He helped me with my jacket.

"I'll see you tomorrow afternoon?"

"You will, and I’m sorry about this." He pulled me in for a kiss, tracing my face with his hands, "Bye, Hope.” He whispered against my lips.

"Bye, loser." I opened the door and slipped into the hall. As the door shuts, I scan it. Tomorrow, I will probably be fucked. I never had to meet the parents before, or vice versa. This would be a first. I didn’t even know how to act or how I would act. When someone tells you just to be yourself, the task almost seems a bit impossible.

?

As I opened Bella's door, I walked in to see her and Maria talking in the kitchen. As I made my appearance, the glasses of wine were set down. "His sister definitely doesn't like me but doesn't hate me?" she looked over at me and sighed.

"Got yourself in quite a pickle, huh?"

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