Page 14 of Back to Me
“Yes, but it’s also none of their business. We will put a label on it when we are ready. Time is ticking, Duchess, are you coming or am I going solo? The decision is yours.”
“I’m coming. I want to be there to defend myself.” I gave her a nod.
“Go lock up then, I will message Ma that you are coming too.”
“Can you meet me around the back? I will need to set the alarm.” Walking back toward the front door with the box in my hands, Ally followed me and locked it behind me. I got into my truck, sat the box in the passenger seat, and started it up. Pulling out of the spot after putting on my seat belt, I drove around to the back parking lot where she parked her car. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I quickly sent Ma a text saying that there had been a small change in plans, and I was bringing Ally with me. At least now they could get a firsthand look at what Cash was doing. Reaching over as the door opened, I picked up the box and waited for her to get comfortable. She took it back from me when she’d sat her things at her feet and put her belt on.
“Can we get my car once we are done at your parents’ place?”
“Sure. I can come past and get you in the morning too if we are going to see Dallas and Tye after work.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it makes more sense to leave your car at your place then here in the parking lot.” My phone beeped with a reply from Ma telling me that was more than fine and that there was plenty of food. Dropping my phone in the cup holder, I set off toward their place. Let the fun begin.
ChapterNine
Ally
I wasnervous as Austin parked in his parents’ driveway, got out of the truck, and moved around to my door. He opened it and took the box from me while I got out of the truck. Taking his hand, we walked up the path to the front door. It opened before we could knock. “Don’t you dare knock on that door.”
“My hands are full, Ma! How could I?” He handed the box to her, and when she took it, he wrapped his arm around her. He let my hand go and stepped aside so she could hug me.
“Ally! I am so happy you changed your mind!” I smiled and hugged her back, squeezing her tight.
“Thank you for having me, I’ve missed your cooking.”
“You are welcome around here anytime.” She let me go, closing the front door behind us. I took hold of Austin’s hand once again and followed Christina down the hall to the kitchen.
“There is something special in there for you and Thomas so you may want to hide it before the others get here.”
“Oh, thank you!” When the box had been placed on the counter, I pointed out which ones I meant, and she quickly took them out of the box and put them in a container.
“Where’s Pops?”
“He’s out at the grill, cooking the meat for dinner.” Before we could say another word, the sound of the front door opening had me moving closer to Austin. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders as I tucked myself into his side. We were soon joined by Beau and Belle, which had me relaxing a little. They hugged Christina before moving over to us.
“Ally, welcome home.”
“Thank you, Beau, good to be home.” He hugged me before stepping back.
“Ally, this is my girlfriend, Belle. Babe, this is Ally. An old friend of the family.” Belle held out her hand to me. Taking it and shaking it, she smiled.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Ally.”
“Likewise, Austin has great things to say about you.” The boys bumped their fists before Austin hugged Belle.
“We were just going outside to say hello to Pops, you coming to join us?” They both said yes, and we all moved outside to where Thomas was cooking on the grill. After saying hello, the boys grabbed drinks from the cooler by the door while Christina, Belle, and I got wine from the fridge. We all took a seat around the table. It was about ten minutes before we were joined by Cash and Savannah. When we heard Cash call out, Beau started humming the song fromWizard of Ozwhere the witch sends the flying monkeys after Dorothy. Belle and I both dropped our heads to keep from laughing while Austin started humming theJawstune. Both earning a glare from their parents. I elbowed Austin; he coughed and picked up his beer. I could see Belle kicking Beau under the table which set both the boys off again. Christina just rolled her eyes and took a drink from her wine glass. Thomas muttered “Lord, help me” under his breath.
Cash and Savannah stepped out of the back door, stopping dead when they saw me sitting there.
“What is she doing here?” He blurted and Christina scolded him.
“Cash! You mind your manners.”
“I was told she wouldn’t be here.”
“Well now she is, so why don’t you grab a drink and sit your ass down.” There was a no-nonsense tone to Thomas’s words which had him following the direction silently.
