Page 69 of Houston, We Have a Problem
“How’s it looking up there?” Houston asks me. “And how long do you think we should let Jordan and Brook make out in the pantry before we tell them we know they’re not looking for more towels?”
“The cabinets are squeaky-clean,” I say, my cheeks hurting from smiling as much as I have tonight. “I can’t say the same for the pantry.”
Someone bumps the pantry door from inside, and Houston rolls his eyes before slapping his palm against the door twice. “That’s enough, you two,” he says loudly before moving to the counter and setting me on my feet. As soon as he ducks out from underneath me, he holds out his arms to help me down.
I eagerly slide into his hold, letting him slip his hands beneath my legs and hold me bridal style, just like he did in the backyard back home. “Thanks,” I say just as Brooklyn and Jordan come out of the pantry.
They try to look innocent, but the way Brooklyn’s lips look slightly swollen beneath her mussed up hair is pretty strong evidence that Houston was right.
“Couldn’t find any towels,” Jordan says, and he gives Houston a wink.
Houston groans. “Do you really have to be like that when I’m around?”
For an answer, Jordan grabs Brooklyn again and plants a kiss on her mouth. Thankfully, for Houston’s sake, he keeps it pretty tame. “Love isn’t worth hiding,” he says.
Houston looks at me at the same time I look at him, which has us both blushing. He puts me on my feet and gives me a nervous smile that I kind of love. At least I’m not the only one who’s nervous.
“I think it’s sweet,” Micah says from her place on the floor. She’s been picking seeds out of Duke’s fur for the last five minutes, though now it looks like she’s just giving the food-drunk dog a belly rub. “No one should be afraid of how they feel.”
“I am not afraid,” Fischer replies immediately. “I just don’t think the whole world needs to know the depth of my love for you. That’s solely for you.”
Fischer might be generally quiet, but he is clearly madly in love with Micah. I’m pretty sure he didn’t throw any food during the fight, but he ended up just as covered as the rest of us even though he could have left the room and spared himself.
Micahawwsand hops over to give Fischer a kiss.
“I’m not following the pattern,” Houston mutters to me, taking my hand. “Our first kiss doesn’t need witnesses.”
As heat floods my face, I try not to sound as overwhelmed as I feel. “I appreciate that,” I say. “We’re a little crowded here.”
Fire flashes in his eyes. “I couldn’t agree more.” Tucking my arm through his, he clears his throat and grabs the attention of his siblings. “We’re taking off.”
“But what about the pumpkin contest?” Micah asks.
“Brook will just cheat again.”
“I will not!” Brooklyn complains. “Not now that you know the truth.”
“Then I’m going to lose anyway,” Houston says as he tugs me toward the door. “Jordan, you’re going to need a ride to my house to get your truck back.”
Jordan salutes.
When we make it outside, Chad is sitting on the porch swing with the young woman tucked under his arm, and he seems far calmer than he did when he caught us flinging food around his house.
Houston grins at the sight of them, but it’s more of a warm smile than a teasing one, and one that Chad matches. I wonder what they talked about while they were sitting on the stairs and if it had anything to do with relationships. Did they talk about me?
“Is my house still a disaster?” Chad asks calmly.
Houston chuckles. “You taught us too well. I’m pretty sure it’s cleaner than when we started.”
“Good.”
Houston shoots a pointed look toward the woman beside Chad. “Are you going to introduce us?”
Chad smirks. “Nope.”
I expect the woman to protest, but she just smiles and rests her head on Chad’s shoulder like she is perfectly okay with remaining anonymous. If I had to guess, she’s probably only in her early twenties, but she looks like she fits so well next to Chad. And Chad is more relaxed than he was when the party started, like everything is better now that she’s here.
Houston seems a little weirded out by his brother’s refusal, but he gets over it pretty quickly. “Well, we’re headed out. Are you going back to Laketown?”
