Page 70 of Embody

Twenty-Three

JT

SURE ENOUGH, RIGHTafter Mom finishes her short, obligatory “lecture,” Brynn and Bellamy get changed and head for the door. Brynn shoots me a victorious sneer while Bellamy sneaks me an apologetic frown over her shoulder—and out they go.

So, I do what any well-adjusted, independent grown man who doesn’t even want a clingy, “spend all your time together” relationship in the first damn place would do. I slide up to my mom’s side and throw my arm around her shoulder.

“Wanna do something together, just you and your favorite kid? We could watch old movies, your pick. I know, how about that one you love with the hot redhead swimming around singin’ about having legs?”

“Son,” she clutches her chest and literally pales. “You wound me. May have to pick a new favorite child now,” she tsks. “It’sThe Little Mermaid, and it’s so much bigger than her wanting legs. She wants to grow, see new things, experience-”

I hold up a hand to stop her short of the hour long dissertation,which I’ve heard however many times we’ve watched the damn thing, sure to include the usual tears, over a fucking cartoon. “Got it Mom, my bad. So, you wanna watch it or not?”

“Always,” she wisps out, “but I can’t. I’m expecting-”

The doorbell cuts her off and she runs to answer it, letting in the entire “insane train”—loud, giggly and hyper as ever.

Before I can sneak out, they descend upon the kitchen in full force, trapping me. Every Crew and Squad female, minus Brynn.Joy. I survey the situation and try to connect the dots of the pandemonium before me. There’s lots of wine,shocker, picture albums, baskets…andmaybesome yarn? Can’t be sure.

They finally get all their shit set down and notice me.

“JT, hey sweetheart. Are you joining us?” Aunt Emmett hugs me and asks.

“In what, I haven’t a clue, butwhateverit is, that’d be a hard pass,” I answer while hugging her back.

“Poo,” she releases me and pouts, patting my cheek. “We’d love to have you, wouldn’t we ladies?”

“I’m a no,” Skylar votes.

“Be nice,” Aunt B whacks her on the arm. “JT,”I know that look, “what’s new? Anything you want to share with your Auntie Coolness?”

“Bennett, stop,” Whitley steps in. “Don’t embarrass him. We have high hopes for this, um, thing. Don’t ruin it.”

“Good to see the gossip mill isn’t broken,” I grouse and edge my way closer to an exit. “You ladies have fun with…whatever it is you’re gonna be doing.”

“It’s a scrapbook party!” Whitley chirps and claps her hands. “So fun!”

I’m laughing before I can stop it. “Scrapbooking? And what night is Bingo at the Senior Center? I’ll swing by and visit.”

“Honey,” my mom screams down the hall, “your son just called me old!”

“Did I hear someone say you’re having ascrapbook party?” he yells back.

“Yes!”

“Then he’s right.”

My mother gapes at me, shocked I won one. I counter with a cunning, victorious smile.

“What about dinner,the dress?” Dad hollers.

“Shit, I’ll be right back,” Mom takes off down the hall.

How the hell did she manage such an easy escape?

“So, Horny,” Presley snaps her fingers right in my face to get my attention, “where’s your girlfriend?”

“Not my girlfriend, and Brynnapped,” I grouch.

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