Hot-Bites, Volume Two by Jenika Snow
12
Braden
“Braden, darling, you’re late,” Delia croons as Macy and I walk through the front door. My hand is on Macy’s back, mostly because I need that contact with her.
“Son, good to see you,” my father says, reaching out his hand for me to shake.
“I wish I could say the same,” I tell him with a cold smile, ignoring the offer of his hand. I feel Macy stiffen and the tension coming from her increase and without thought I rub the small of her back to try and ease her worries. It’s sad that I’m more connected with this woman than my own family, considering how long I’ve known her—but it’s true.
“I see you haven’t changed,” my father says, his voice stern.
“A chip off the old block,” I tell him, praying to God I’m wrong. I don’t want to be anything like the man standing before me right now. “Macy, I’d like for you to meet Senator Harris and my stepmother Delia.”
“Oh goodness, that makes me sound so old, Braden,” Delia says, giving me that damn fake laugh that grates on my nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard. “Macy, what a beautiful name,” she adds, looking Macy over from top to bottom. I can see the flash of jealousy in Delia’s eyes, but then she would be jealous. Macy is fucking gorgeous, and Delia doesn’t like anyone she can’t outshine. “You look so familiar! Are you a model?” she asks, fishing for information, wanting to be able to brag to all of her rich friends about having celebrities at her party.
“No… I—”
“Macy is more of a street performer.”
“A street performer?” Delia asks, and her face goes white.
“Yeah,” I say with a smirk, enjoying Delia’s discomfort until I feel the stiffness coming off of Macy. I don’t have to look to know I’ve upset her. That wasn’t my intention, I just forgot about Macy’s well-being because I love getting under Delia’s and my father’s skin.
“I think I better—”
I cut Macy off, not letting her finish. “Macy has a magic show.”
“A magic show? Like that Angel man who does all those tricks?” Delia asks.
“Much better than him. After all, she managed to steal my heart during her performance. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to introduce Macy to Tabby.”
“Tabatha? Whatever for?” my father barks.
“Because Macy is important to me and Tabby is the only other person I give a damn about and I want them to meet.”
“Braden, don’t you think it’s time you bury this hostility you have towards me?”
“That depends, Dad. Have you apologized to my mother for fucking around on her the thirty years you were married?”
“Braden! Lower your voice. People can hear you,” Delia hisses.
“Braden, perhaps you should leave if this is the attitude you’ve brought with you,” my father responds, his arm going around Delia.
“Maybe we should be going,” Macy says, clearly uncomfortable.
I put my hand in hers and refuse to let her leave. Instead, I pull her away from my father and Delia, not wanting to share the same air as them another moment.
“I want you to meet Tabby,” I murmur in her ear.
“Braden—” she protests, but I slide my hand up her arm and put it against her neck, forcing her to look at me.
“I need you to meet Tabby. I wasn’t lying, Macy. She’s important to me and so are you. I want you to meet her.”
She stares at me for a few minutes and finally nods.
“Where is she?”
“She’ll be in bed,” I tell her, leading her up the grand staircase that leads to my sister’s room.
“But it’s not even six o’clock.” Macy frowns. “How old is she?”
“She’ll be awake, but they refuse to let her make noise or come out of her room while Delia is having one of her parties,” I mutter, anger bleeding through my words.
“One of her parties? How often does she have parties?”
“At least once a week,” I reply, feeling better not being around them. I make my way to Tabby’s room, giving it a knock before opening the door and smiling immediately when Tabby comes running to me, nearly taking me to the floor.
“Braden! I knew you’d come see me. I knew it!” she exclaims, wrapping her body tight around me. I pick her up, smelling the sweet strawberry scent of her hair and finally relaxing. When I look up it’s to find Macy staring at both of us, her face soft, the tension that was there earlier gone.
“Tabby, I’d like for you to meet my girlfriend, Macy.”
“Your girlfriend?” Tabby and Macy question at the same time. I just keep smiling, my gaze never leaving Macy’s face.
I lean over and kiss her forehead, Tabby still in my arms.
“Definitely my girlfriend.”
“Cool!” Tabby exclaims.
“Yeah, cool,” I murmur, my lips spreading into a smile at the shocked look on Macy’s face. She even looks a little dazed. Maybe it’s starting to dawn on her that I’m not going to let her go.
