Page 109 of Waiting to Lose
Grandma Dee glanced up at him and made an O with her lips. “Heisa hottie,” she said, attempting to whisper as she held her hand up to her mouth. Her whispers were actually a normal speaking voice. Her hearing wasn’t what it used to be.
Jake smiled and Madi giggled from embarrassment.
“I’ll say…” Collin repeated, checking Jake up and down.
“He’s mine, Collin. Find your own man,” Madi replied sarcastically as she kissed his cheek.
“I’m trying,” he said as he removed his shoes. “Good men are hard to come by these days.”
Rob came around the corner.
“Well, Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to me,” Collin stated excitedly as he held out his hand to Rob. “Collin Ryan.”
Rob’s eyes formed tiny slits as he shook his hand. “Rob Haster.”
“Kendra’sboyfriend,” Madi added, seeing the strained expression on Rob’s face.
“Well, damn,” he responded. “Are there any more?” he asked, leaning to see around the corner. Rob immediately turned and left the room.
“Collin, my boy!” Madi’s father yelled as Collin reached out to hug his father.
“Did you bring me any drugs?” he asked jokingly.
“Sorry, Pops, they still don’t let pharmacists write prescriptions.”
Steve snapped his fingers in defeat.
Kendra leaned on the doorframe, raising her arm above her head seductively.
“Guurrrlll…” Collin said in his most fake, flamboyant voice.
“Hey yourself, guurrrlll!” Kendra responded, laughing.
“Get your hot ass over here and give me a kiss,” Collin said with a wave.
Madi walked into Jake’s open arm as they watched Kendra bounce into Collin’s embrace. Jake placed his arm around her waist and rubbed his chin with his free hand.
“Now Kendra likes Collin…” Madi whispered.
“Um hmm,” Jake responded, turning into her.
“Can’t stand Michael.”
“Hmm.” He kissed her cheek, lingering for a moment there.
“Look at you!” Collin shouted as Kendra danced around him, laughing. “And you have a boyfriend? Did hell freeze over while I was in Michigan?” he asked.
“Hi, Mom,” Madi’s father said, taking his mother’s coat and kissing her. “How was the drive?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m alive,” Grandma Dee responded, shaking her head, offended.
He sighed as he placed her coat on a hanger and onto the rack.
“Are you sorry you came now?” Madi whispered into Jake’s ear.
Jake lifted a strand of her hair from her lips. “Not in the least. It’s like watching a comedy show. I’m wondering what’s going to happen next.”
“That should be it,” she said, peering at them. “And it’s more than enough,” she laughed, bending to kiss his cheek. He turned quickly and her lips met his.
Madi sighed and smiled into his eyes before glancing at all the chaos around her. “Just a few more hours.”
