Page 63 of Highest Bidder
She’s spiraling and talking way too fast. I can't catch everything she’s saying or decipher what she means. I don’t know how to get her to stop, I try to speak. But I don’t think she has taken a breath since she started this whole speech. I grab her face and kiss her. She takes a minute, but I feel her relax into the kiss, leaning into me a little more. It feels good to be able to kiss her whenever I want. It’s a high having her body respond to my every touch. I can’t help but get a little carried away even though it was supposed to be a short kiss. She jerks herself back with such force, I almost fall forward.
“Myles!” She gasps and covers her mouth as she looks at the house. “What if she’s looking out the window and sees us? Oh, my god, she’s going to hate me!”
She covers her face with her hands, and I smile at how cute she’s being. It means so much to me that she wants to make a good impression. I have no doubt she will, but it’s cute watching Hunter freak out a little.
“Hershey, no one’s going to hate you. She’ll love you, and she actually doesn’t know you’re coming.”
She looks confused and goes to speak, but I place a finger over her lips. If she keeps talking, we will never make it inside.
“I didn’t want her to embarrass me with childhood stuff. She’s the one I’m worried about. Okay?” I assure her, my finger still mushed into her lips so she nodded. “Okay then. Let’s go.” I getout of the truck and open her door. She hops out, and we head toward the door.
“Can I say one thing first?” Her steps falter. “What if I want her to show me all the embarrassing childhood stuff?” she asks, giving me big sad puppy dog eyes.
I shake my head, knowing I’m going to be in trouble with these two.Fuck. . . this girl. I laugh and put my arm around her waist to get her to start walking again.
“God, help me,” I murmur, knocking on the door.
“What?”
But before I answer, my mom swings the door open, but she’s not looking up as she messes with her dress.
“Miney! Call your mother first before showing up here an hour early. You never know if I’ll be home or if I’m decent,” she says, finally looking up at me, and her eyes bug out of her head. “Who’s this gorgeous woman?” She smiles.
I lean forward and kiss her cheek then look at my phone for the time. “Mama, I’m not an hour early. You told me to come now, so how’s that showing up here unannounced?” My eyebrows furrow, she’s not making any sense.
Then Gus come around the corner buttoning up his shirt. “Oh, hi Myles. Great to see you again.” He clears his throat.
“Mama!” I know my face is turning every shade of red as my ears grow hot.
“Oh, hush.” She waves me off. “Like you don’t know that your mother has needs just like any other woman, and I guess we just lost track of time.”
I rub my hands over my face. This is not how this was supposed to go. We just got here, and I already wish I would have stayed on the lake with Hunter.
“Um, hi. I’m Hunter.”
I peek through my fingers to see Hunter waving at my mom. She seems so nervous even though this is already a shit storm. I sigh and do my best to not think about what was just happening.
“Mama.” I sigh. “This is Hunter,” I say, wishing I could pluck my eyes out. But Hunter doesn’t deserve me losing my shit over this. Mama blinks at me because I’ve never mentioned Hunter to her before this. I put my arm around Hunter’s waist to bring her tightly tucked up against my side. “She’s my girlfriend, Mama.” Her shocked face morphs into the most elated expression I’ve ever seen.
“What?” She screams, making Hunter, Gus, and I cringe from a pitch I didn’t even know was possible. “She is…” She can’t even form a complete sentence.
This might be worse than baby pictures. Hunter’s going to think there’s something genetically wrong with me. My mom’s freaking out that I brought a girl over.
“Mama,” I say again more firmly. This seems to make her snap out of it, and she launches at Hunter and squeezes her into a tight hug. Hunter laughs, her joyous laughter, making me relax a bit.
“Hi. I’m not sure of your actual name. He and JT always call you just Mama.” Hunter laughs out.
I know she’s nervous, but she’s perfect. My embarrassment fades as I watch the two most important women in my life embrace in a hug. Mama finally pulls away but keeps a hold of Hunter’s shoulders.
“Oh, sweetie. Please, call me Mama! It would make me the happiest woman alive. Oh, please, come with me. I want to hear all about you.” Mama walks inside still holding Hunter close to her side.
“Okay. I’ll shut this door for you, Mama,” I call after her and shake my head.
“Thanks, Miney! Don’t forget the fridge while you’re at it,” she says over her shoulder but focuses back on Hunter. “So how long have you been with Miney?” I shake my head.
“Mama. Please! Don’t use the nickname. Can’t you just callme Myles for once?” This was a mistake. Why did I do this to myself?
“I believe it’s actually Myles Alexander, Miney.” Hunter winks.
