Page 114 of That One Night
Because yes, there had been some gossip going around town that she had been cheating on Trenton all summer.
But the Hartson network had hit back. As soon as she heard the whispers, Hendrix’s mom had launched into action. She’d pulled in all her best grapevine users – including his sisters-in-law, Kate and Cassie, along with his aunts, uncles, and of course, his brothers who could never keep their mouths shut.
Suddenly all of Hartson’s Creek knew that Trenton had tried to blackmail Emery, and she and Hendrix were in love.
It was one way to introduce a new relationship, that was for sure. And Emery clearly hated the extra attention they were getting.
“It’ll be yesterday’s news soon enough,” he told her. “We just have to ride it out. And anyway, they don’t believe the rumors. You know that. My mom’s desperate to meet you.”
“I hope I don’t disappoint her.”
He took her hand, squeezing it tight. “Look, all you gotta do is talk baseball with my brothers and my dad, talk music with Cassie, talk books with Kate, and you’ll be part of the family.”
“What do I talk about with your mom?”
“Me.”
Emery started to giggle. “You have a high opinion of yourself.”
“You had a high opinion of me too, this morning,” he reminded her. “When I had my head between your legs.”
“Hendrix!” Her cheeks broke out in a blush. And he loved it. Loved the way he could embarrass her with a few words in public, yet when they were in private she was as desperate for him as he was for her.
“Come on, let’s go in. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can leave.”
She shook her head, biting down a smile as he walked around to open her car door, helping her out, his hand firmly holding hers. He didn’t let go as he locked the car and they headed over to Murphy’s Diner, which already had a line formed outside.
“They already got tables,” Hendrix told her, leading her past the crowd of people. And sure enough, taking up one whole corner was the Hartson family. As soon as they saw Hendrix, their chatter halted, and they all stared at him and Emery as they walked toward the tables.
“Hey.” A man who looked just like Hendrix called out. One of the twins? “Pres,” he said, holding his hand out.
“Thank you for telling me.” She smiled at him. “I wasn’t sure which one of you was which.”
His twin laughed. “It’s easy,” Pres’ doppelgänger told her. “I’m the good-looking one.”
“You are so not.” Pres shook his head.
“They’re both assholes,” Hendrix whispered in her ear. “I’m the good-looking one.” He held out his arms and a pretty almost-teenager jumped into them. “This is my niece, Delilah,” he told Emery.
“I’m so happy to meet you,” Delilah said to Emery, beaming. “Now he’s got a girlfriend, maybe he’ll stop skipping family get togethers.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “They can’t give him lectures about needing a girlfriend anymore.”
Emery laughed, completely charmed. “I’ve heard so much about you,” she told Delilah. “And Club Solo.”
“You can join if you want,” Delilah said. “Even if you don’t know the misery of having twin brothers.”
“I’d be honored.”
Emery smiled softly, as Hendrix led her to the seat next to his mom. “Maddie Hartson,” his mom said, her eyes crinkling with pleasure as she held her hand out to Emery. Emery took it, and then Maddie shook her head. “Come here,” she said, hugging her. “It’s so lovely to officially meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. Tell me, how’s your mom doing? And how is the sale going? Has your mom seen any houses she likes yet?”
Emery started to tell her about the viewings they’d already had, while Hendrix’s cousin Sabrina called out to him.
“Hey, you look annoyingly happy,” she said. “I told you that she was your type.”
Hendrix smiled. “Next time remind me to listen to you,” he told her.
“Who is that man?” his mom whispered to Emery. “He never listens to anybody.”
“He listened to you,” Emery told her. “He told me about the talk you two had. I think it meant a lot to him.” He’d told her all about it that night when they’d stayed up talking. How he’d thought he was doing the right thing for her and his mom. How talking to his mom made him realize what a fool he’d been.
