Page 26 of Easy Rider
Chapter Twelve
Iwalk right in tomy sister’s house without knocking. With three kids under the age of six, Jenny always has her hands full, and making her answer the door just seems like adding another task to her never-ending to-do list. Besides, I can’t wait to see Emma.
I can smell Jenny’s famous roasted chicken from the hallway and hear giggles and Shane’s deep laugh coming from the family room.
I’ve already given Shane his birthday present. I stopped by his house earlier and delivered the custom boot rack I had made for him. I also did a little shopping for Emma.
I head down the hall, avoiding a few red and blue Lego pieces scattered on the floor, and enter the kitchen. Jenny’s chopping something and has her back to me. I peer into the adjacent family room and see Shane, Lexi, Chase, and all the kids, but no Emma. I thought for sure she’d beat me here. Maybe she had to stop for gas? I shoot Emma a quick text.
I’m at Jenny’s. You coming?
As I shove the phone back in my pocket, Chase spots me and calls out, “Look what the cat dragged in.”
I give him a wave as Jenny spins around to me. She has her hair in a ponytail as usual and there’s mustard—or God knows, something the kids coughed up—on her T-shirt. But she looks radiant. Her green eyes sparkle as she breaks into a grin and rushes over for a hug. “You made it.” Jenny kisses my cheek and then checks behind me. “Where’s Emma?”
“She’s on her way.” I check my phone again and don’t see a message. I sneak up next to Jenny while she carefully lays a hunk of cheddar on the platter, next to a pile of salami. She nods, eyeing the platter like it’s a work of art. “I think this is the first time you’ve ever brought a girl over to meet all of us.”
“You’re right.” I nonchalantly grab a grape off the plate and pop it in my mouth. Knowing Jenny, she wants every detail, down to the minutiae, and I’m not ready to talk to her about Emma. Hell, my feelings are so strong for her, I’m still sorting them out myself.
Jenny studies me, as if she’s searching for a way to peel off a layer of my skin and get to a secret under the surface. I don’t flinch, and she goes back to arranging her platter. “Well, I’m happy for you.” Jenny pauses dramatically, waiting for me to fill in the blanks. “I mean,” Jenny starts again, glancing over. “I know how much you like her, so whatever’s happening, even if you’re just friends, or maybe—”
“I’m not getting into it.” I kiss her cheek. “Nice try, though.”
“Ugh.” She sighs, nudging me with her elbow. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.” Jenny points to the fridge. “There’s beer in there. Grab me one?”
I grab two and hand one to her on the way to the family room.
“Hold up.” Jenny pulls on the back of my shirt, making me turn. “So I was thinking of bringing the hors d’oeuvres out first, but should we wait for Emma?”
I check my phone again. It’s now seven twenty-three.
Emma and I have been texting all day, but she still hasn’t responded to my most recent text. The last time I heard from her was at six thirty saying she was leaving the house. Misty’s house is ten minutes away, tops. My shoulders tense, and my jaw tightens. Something isn’t right.
“You know what?” I ask, hearing the worry in my voice. I didn’t mean to say it so loud.
Jenny pivots. “What is it?”
“Something going on in there?” Shane asks. Chase and Lexi take notice.
“Yeah,” Lexi cracks. “I didn’t even get my hug.”
I hadn’t meant to ignore them. Even though I’m now as tight as a knot and want to jam out of the house, I take a moment to greet my family. Chase and Shane are standing, at the ready, with Jenny. They’ve no doubt picked up on my tension.
“I’m going to go check on Emma. It’s been an hour since I’ve heard from her, and I don’t like it.”
Chase narrows his piercing blue eyes at me. “Bad feeling?”
“Yeah.” I nod, feeling my stomach twist. Saying it out loud just makes my suspicions more real.
“Then we should come.” Shane grabs his jacket off the back of the couch.
“I should come too,” Lexi pipes up.
