Page 75 of Mistle-Ho

Gavin tenses beside me, likely bracing for my mother’s disapproval. When her forced smile turns genuine and she reaches up to pat his cheek, I can see all the worry bleed from his body.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Gavin?” She tips her head my way, widening her eyes. “Alexis can be kind of a handful.”

I don’t think my mother could have said anything more perfect. I’m going to have to thank her for it later.

Even if it is a little insulting.

“That is actually a big part of the appeal.” Gavin pulls me closer, wrapping one heavy arm around my shoulders to tuck me into his side. “She keeps me on my toes.”

I roll my eyes, because I do no such thing. I’m as boring as it gets. Luckily, Gavin seems to like being boring. I’d always assumed he was just as outgoing and social as my parents and Leo, but I’m starting to think that was just something for him to hide behind. A way to avoid the kind of connections that terrified him.

“Well, if anyone can handle your crazy schedule, it’s Alexis.” My mom lowers her voice, leaning close to Gavin like I can’t hear what she’s about to say. “She’ll have your whole life organized before you even know what hit you.”

Gavin lowers his own voice conspiratorially. “I’m banking on it.”

“Ugh.” I wiggle out from under his arm and step past my mom into the house. “You two keep having your weirdo conversation. I need some fucking coffee and a scone.”

Gavin chuckles behind me, unbothered by my little show of attitude, and I smile as I walk away. Right up until I see my dad’s scowling face.

I walk over to where he sits at the kitchen island, likely waiting for my brother’s arrival, and lean in to press a kiss on his cheek. “Hey, Dad.”

His hard expression softens. “Hey, honey. How are you?”

“She’s dating Gavin,” my mother answers for me, and I’m not surprised. There’s a good chance everyone we know will get a phone call before the day’s over.

I warned Gavin that was going to happen, but he claims he’s fine with it. The strange thing is, so am I. Normally, my mom’s love of telling everyone everything she knows drives me crazy, but I don’t mind who finds out Gavin belongs to me. She can shout it from the fucking rooftops if she wants.

My dad looks Gavin over as he follows my mom into the kitchen. His gaze is assessing and, honestly, a little unnerving. But then he says, “About damn time. You two have been dancing around this thing for years.”

My mouth drops open. “What?”

Mom snorts. “You think we didn’t notice you guys flirting all the time?”

My gaze swings to Gavin. “We weren’t flirting.”

He shrugs. “Maybe you weren’t.”

“At least one of my kids is making good choices.” My dad scrubs one big hand over his face before downing half of his coffee. “Leo decided it wasn’t enough to ruin Maddie’s life, now he’s decided to ruin his own too.”

I take a deep breath. I knew this was coming, and I’ve been preparing for it. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t have done the same thing if Mom had been coming out of a shitty marriage when you met?”

I’ve tried to stay out of this because I was worried I would make things worse. Now, it’s clear things can’t get any worse, so I might as well try.

After spending time with Maddie, I one hundred percent see why Leo adores her. I also understand why he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect her from her crazy-ass ex-husband.

My dad narrows his eyes as they slide from my mom to me. “I would have done what I needed to keep your mother safe, and if that meant leaving her alone, that’s what would’ve happened.”

“But how do you know leaving her alone would have kept her safe?” I look between my parents, meeting both of their gazes. “You haven’t seen how her ex is. I have.” My stomach twists at the memory of the look in his eyes. “And I’m not sure Maddie would be any safer without Leo in her life.” I pause, thinking it over. “Actually, Leo probably gives him someone else to hate, so she’s probably better off.”

“Not anymore.”

I spin at the sound of my brother’s voice, taking a step back at his disheveled state.

Leo looks like shit. Not even warm shit. He looks like lukewarm shit that’s been left out in the rain overnight.

“Maddie dumped me last night, so everybody can fucking celebrate. You got what you wanted.” Leo moves to the island, snatching a scone off the countertop and biting it in half before continuing. “She said she wasn’t going to let me destroy my life, and then she blocked me.” He makes a sweeping motion with his arms. “So, congratulations. You win.”

I’m stunned.

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