Page 6 of Finally Home

My back molars grind at the mention of my sister’s boyfriend, Joel. Joel fucking Taylor. I cannot stand the douche bag. I swear I hear a growl come from Rhyland’s direction. When I glance over, I see his hands twisting the top of the rake handle. He’s always been protective of Payton.

“Oliver, be nice. You know your sister really likes him.”

“Who said I’m not nice?”

Mom gives me a stern look with her hands on her hips that screams,I’m saying you’re not nice.I mean, she’s not wrong, but the guy’s a giant dick.

“And before you talk shit about your brother, I want you to remember that this could have waited for the weekend. But it wasyouwho had asked to move it to today, so you only have yourself to blame with your brother not helping.”

“Sorry, Mom, change of plans. I’m actually going out of town this weekend.”

Hollie’s beautiful face once again pops up in my mind.

“You are?” both my mom and Rhy ask in unison.

“Yeah, I’m actually going away with my girlfriend.”

Naturally, Rhy chose that moment to take a sip of water and, at my news of having a girlfriend, sprays water over the fresh mulch before his mouth hangs open in shock.

Mom’s attention is on him to make sure he’s okay, and once he apologizes and claims it went down the wrong hole, her full attention is back on me.

Mom closes the distance between us with her arms crossed. “A girlfriend? Why am I only now just hearing about this, Oliver?” My mind drifts to my full name being on Hollie’s lips, and I prefer that instead of this. Apparently, my dick likes it, too. Talk about awkward as fuck.

“It’s new.”

“How did you two meet? What’s her name? What’s she like?” Mom throws out so many questions so fast, I’m not sure she’s even taken a breath between them.

I can sense Rhyland burning a hole in the side of my head, but I hope he keeps his mouth shut for the moment.

“Her name is Hollie. Like I said, it’s new.” I tell them the story of how we met that Hollie and I had come up with, and I swear I see hearts forming behind my mother’s irises.

“Oh, that’s just wonderful, dear. I hope we can meet her someday soon.”

My shoulders relax when I realize the Queen of Bullshit Sniffing actually bought the story. If only she were so quick to buy our lies when growing up. Then maybe I wouldn’t have gotten into so much shit all the time.

“Now, even though you are going away this weekend, I expect you to be here when your sister is visiting. You too, Rhyland.”

“Of course, Connie. You know I never miss a chance to miss out on your cooking.”

She blushes at his words and waves off. “I’ll take that as a compliment coming from the professional.” Rhyland isn’t only my best friend since childhood, but he’s also the head chef at Tilley’s. When Archer told me he was opening Tilley’s and wanted me to be a part of it, I knew there was no other person I wanted in the kitchen.

“Do you boys want some peach tea? I was just about to make a fresh pitcher.”

“Sounds great, Mom,” I reply at the same time Rhyland says, “Love some.”

“What the fuck was that?” Rhyland hisses when Mom walks back inside the house.

“What the fuck was what?”

“Oliver Jason Mosby, you just lied to your mother.”

“What?” I wince. “No, I didn’t.”

“Oh, really?” He gives me a pointed stare. “For one, you don’t do girlfriends. Two, I’m the chef who would have been the one getting the orders sent back. And three, if you’re not at work, you’re typically with me. So yes, you just lied to your mother.” He pokes me in the shoulder with each word.

Fuck, I hadn’t thought that one through. I’m sure it’s fine if I at least tell my best friend the truth. It’s just another secret for him to add to our best friend vault.

I explain how Hollie came into the bar and the predicament she was in. I meant it when I said there was something about her that just drew me to her. Like a goddamn moth to a flame.

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