Page 83 of Confusing Hearts

“Welcome to San Marco,” Chase said, pulling off the main road and down a long, wooded path, much like the driveway to our cabin. “And welcome home,” he said, pulling up in front a large, inviting house. It was brightly lit like they were waiting for us.

He got out and grabbed our bags. I waited until he came around and opened my door, checking my appearance quickly in the mirror on the back of the visor. I grabbed my lip gloss to reapply before I got out.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and nibbled on my lip. I loved the taste of watermelon lip gloss, so it in no way dissuaded me from the nervous habit. Chase noticed. Chase always noticed.

He dropped the bags to the ground and wrapped his arms around me, my back pinned against the Jeep. He lowered his mouth to mine and sucked my bottom lip into his. I fought back a grin. He seemed to do that a lot and it inevitably calmed my nerves and caused a different sort of butterflies in my stomach. He deepened the kiss and made my knees shake. I sighed.

He pulled back with a grin. “You have nothing to worry about.”

I just nodded. I wasn’t sure I could even talk after that anyway. He left one arm around me and led me towards the house.

“What about the bags?” I asked when we hit the porch.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get them later.”

He didn’t stop, or knock, just walked right in, pulling me with him. I felt so out of place. A crashing noise came from another room and a ball bounced into the foyer right towards us. Chase stopped it with his foot, as a young dark-haired boy in pajamas and socks came slipping and sliding around the corner, abruptly stopping.

His eyes were wide with excitement. “Uncle Chase?” He sounded like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It only lasted a moment before he launched himself into Chase’s expectant arms. After a quick hug, Chase set him down and those little arms wrapped around my waist. “Hi Aunt Jenna!” he squealed. “They said you wouldn’t be here till tomorrow.”

“Surprise,” Chase said . . .

I hugged the little man closer. “You must be Oscar,” I finally said, happy when my voice didn’t crack.

“Yup, that’s me,” he said, letting go and stepping back to look me over. “Mom, Uncle Chase and Aunt Jenna are here!” he yelled over his shoulder.

I stole a quick look at Chase, who just grinned and picked the boy up.

“You monkey, how can we surprise anyone if you’re going to tell the whole house?” He began tickling Oscar, who squealed in delight.

People started coming from all directions. A petite woman with short blonde hair and pink highlights came bouncing down the stairs. Several people came from both directions on the main level. When Maddie came into view, I stopped holding my breath. She didn’t hold back but walked right up to me and pulled me into an embrace.

“I know they can be a little overwhelming. Just remember to breathe. Everyone’s excited to meet you,” she whispered. I already knew that whispering in a house of wolves was pointless, but then again, she clearly made her point as people started taking a step back and giving us some space. A little louder she said, “Come on, let me introduce you around.”

“Mom said you weren’t coming in till tomorrow,” the one with the pink-streaked hair said.

“Surprise,” Oscar said, mimicking Chase.

“Oh, come on in to the living room. Maddie show her the way,” instructed an older lady who I knew must be Chase’s mom. As we rounded the corner to the left, I saw her give Chase a big hug and she had tears in her eyes. They followed behind us, her arm linked through his.

The living room was huge. I’d never seen such a big space. There were at least five couches in just the one room. A monster sized TV hung on one wall, and the back wall was lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that made it feel like you were outdoors. A chess board sat on a table in the corner with two chairs. There was also a card table, and games and books lined several shelves flanking the big screen TV. One corner of the room was stacked high with toys. It was clear this was the hub of family life in the Westin house.

“Mom, Dad,” Chase said, drawing my attention back to them. “This is Jenna, my mate.”

I blushed at his candidness. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I said awkwardly before his mother pulled me into a hug, followed immediately by his father.

Chase had explained once before that wolves were very touchy creatures. I don’t think it really hit me until that moment just what he had meant. My parents would never hug a stranger like that. Heck, they barely ever hugged me and Tessa.

“I’m Jason, this is my mate, Mary,” the older man said, finally letting me go.

“I’m Jenna,” I said, then chastised myself for it, ‘cause, duh, Chase just told them that.

“Welcome, Jenna,” Mary said, misting up.

“Mom, you’re gonna freak her out. Pull it together,” the pink-haired girl said.

“Don’t be rude, Lily,” Mary warned. “I’m allowed to get a little emotional. My baby boy just brought home his mate.”

Lily rolled her eyes. She pulled me into yet another hug. “Follow my lead,” she whispered.

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