Page 26 of Yours to Ho Ho Hold
I smile to myself. I can’t imagine having so many schedules to consider, but it really shows how close they all are if they’re still showing up for holidays.
I look around. “So, you said I’d meet Sam later, but what about Jamie?”
Drew nods. “Oh, I’m sure he’s around here somewhere. He still lives downstairs.”
“Now, Doodoo, you make it sound like I’m a mooch.”
I turn to see another handsome Jordan brother propped against the doorway.
Drew moves toward him and pulls him into a tight hug. Jamie’s light brown hair is cut into a mullet that trails down the back of his neck.
“What’s up Arkansas Waterfall?” Drew says clapping him on the back.
Jamie smooths his hair proudly, then licks his finger and twists the corner of Drew’s mustache, making it stick up in a curl. “Dude, why aren’t you styling it like I showed you? What’s the point of having a mustache if you’re going to be basic?”
Drew slaps his hand away and shoves him. “Fuck, now I’m going to be smelling your spit all day.”
Jamie’s eyes land on me like he’s only just realizing I’m there. He pushes away from the door frame and offers me his hand. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there. I’m Jamie. I’m not exactly sure what you see in my brother, but—”
Drew shoves him away. “Keep your hands off my girl, Davy Crocket.”
Jamie holds up his hands. “Sorry, jeez, I was just trying to introduce myself. No need to go all caveman on me.” He whispers to me behind his hand, “I taught him everything he knows.”
Drew grabs his shirt collar and shoves him through the doorway as they whisper fight all the way to the living room. I follow behind them catching little bits and pieces of: “I told you she was hot.” “Did you fully satisfy her?” “Of course, I know the Jordan law—”
My ears perk up at that last part.Jordan law?Now, this family really has me intrigued.
“Okay, who keeps rearranging my Noel letters to spell Leon?” Charlotte says as she moves the decorative letters on the bookshelf.
Jamie and James both share a look, and Drew just shakes his head.
“You two think you’re so funny, but I’ll not have our pictures ruined again. Do you know how many questions I got when I posted our family photos last year? Everyone thought we were sneakily announcing another baby in the family, and the whole gardening club took the idea and ran with it. I had to personally un-tell everyone, and it was so exhausting. So, unless someone wants to give me a little Leon, stop with the pranks.” She huffs something under her breath, but it’s easy to see she isn’t really mad, just full of sass, which makes James’ smile grow wider.
Jamie holds up his hands. “I’m saving my bologna pony for the woman of my dreams, and I don’t see me landing her anytime soon, so looks like Drew and Holly are your best bet, Char.”
He flashes Drew a grin, to which Drew just squeezes my shoulder. “Let’s not scare Holly off before we’ve even had lunch.”
I suck in a deep breath as the smell of cinnamon and cranberries fill the air and think of anything to change the subject. “Something smells amazing.”
“That’s my homemade cider. Why don’t we all sit down, and I’ll bring everyone a glass?” Charlotte offers, and James jumps up to help her.
The living room is spacious but cozy, and there’s a huge nine-foot Christmas tree trimmed to perfection set in front of the massive wall of windows overlooking the beach.
I take a seat on one sofa, and Drew plops down beside me as the others slowly file in and fill the space.
I can’t help but think this is what my parents always dreamed about. They wanted a family so badly, and all they ever got was me. They had to put all their eggs in one basket, and of course, I went and ruined it for them.
A fresh pang of guilt hits me in the chest, and when I look down, Drew squeezes my hand. His eyebrows cinch in a look of concern. “You okay?” He whispers so only I can hear him, and I give him a curt nod. But he still doesn’t let go of my hand, tracing little circles along my skin with his thumb.
How can this man I just met already be so perceptive? I feel like he already knows me so well, but that can’t be true. It’s impossible.
“There they are. You two lovebirds finally decided to join us,” James says, and I look up to see Drew’s oldest brother, Sam, and the beautiful red-haired woman on his arm. Her freckled cheeks are tinted pink, but she’s smiling and doesn’t seem to look embarrassed.
“Holly, this is my brother, Sam, and that’s his wife, Maggie. They’re newlyweds and can’t keep their hands off each other.”
After I shake each of their hands, they take seats on the sofa across from us. Sam doesn’t correct anyone as he tucks his bride under his arm and kisses her on top of her head. Maybe there’s something with these Jordan men? They’re all fiercely protective of their women; that much is obvious. But do they really have a code they follow?
A few moments later, Simon, Wren, baby Indie, and a hyper Denver come bursting into the room. I sit back and watch as they all pass the baby around and play with her while Denver makes his way around, competing for his own attention.
