“So, Nik, is your mum hot?” James asks, waggling his eyebrows sleazily.
“Ugh! You pig!” I hiss at him as I throw my shoe, just missing his head.
“Kade needs to know what you're going to look like in twenty years or so. He might change his mind about your long term potential,” he taunts.
Kade squeezes my hand. “Trust me, I’ll still want you,” he assures me after James’s comment.
He better. My mum is pretty hot anyway, so if they're judging me by her, then they're in for a treat.
We pull up to the house, and I notice Layla and Chase made it there before us. How the hell did they manage that? We left before they did.
We get out of the Hummer, and James comes up behind me and whispers in my ear, “Better not be running into any of my exes this time," in a dry tone.
I laugh, thinking back on when we were at Layla’s parents for a BBQ, and he ran into his ex-Sasha. Sasha is Layla’s cousin and it was awkward as hell. I think she and I are a little alike in some ways, so we clash. We got into a fight once, and it was a pretty dirty one. I left with a few bald spots and she had a black eye. Good times.
We head inside and I call out, “Yo, Mum, the bitch is back.”
Mum comes rushing out of the kitchen and greets us all and hugs everyone.
She makes it to Kade. “I see my daughter has good taste! You’re so hot!”
Someone kill me now! Everyone is chuckling. I don’t see what's funny. Then mother dearest says, “I’m sure you’re impressive all over too, if you get my drift,” She add, with a wink for good measure.
Oh my god… I’m going to kill her.
“Mum!” I know I’m totally blushing right now. Kade, James, and Chase are full out laughing. Doubling over. Fuck. Layla looks embarrassed for me, her face slightly flushed. God, I don’t think this can get any worse. Then again, it’s my mum, so it probably can.
We all make our way to the kitchen and help mum put all the food on the table. Dad comes home just as we're done, and as always, he goes to mum first. He practically makes out with her in front of everyone. Fuck, come on, really. When I’m about to yell out ‘get a room’ he lets go of mum and comes and gives me a hug. I introduce everyone and dad shakes Kade, James and Chase’s hands and kisses Layla on the cheek in greeting.
We’re enjoying the meal, chatting amongst ourselves when my dad addresses Kade. “So, Kade, you must be the reason Nicole is in such good spirits lately,” he says.
“Oh yes, she is so much happier now. You must be taking good care of her, getting her to release all that tension. She can be a little uptight sometimes,” my mother adds casually.
Layla starts to choke on her food. Chase and James are staring down at their plates, trying not to laugh and failing, and Kade is just sitting there, unabashed, looking proud of himself. Ugh, does anything embarrass this man?
“Mum!” I protest. I narrow my eyes when I see my own father’s lip twitching. Oh, come on!
“What, sweetie?” she asks, confused. I give her a long suffering sigh.
“So, Layla, how’s your sex life going now that you are pregnant? Oh, I remember when I was pregnant with Nikki, I just couldn’t get enough! Remember, darling? Why, I remember one time we had sex in the bathroom of the doctor’s waiting room!” My mother says, winking at my father.
“You kids just let me know if you need any sex tips, okay. Call me anytime!” she adds cheerfully.
“Someone please kill me!” I groan.
Kade just laughs. “I think I have it under control Mrs. Heath. But I would love to hear more about your experiences sometime.”
I kick him under the table, hard.
Chapter Thirty One
Club Deception, now known as ‘Steele’, is having a reopening. Kade has been busy the last few days getting everything ready. Layla talked him into hiring Ryder’s band ‘Morning Alliance’ to play, and Kade reluctantly agreed after Chase told him not to upset his pregnant wife. Ever since Ryder and I went on that one date, Ryder has been on Kade’s shit list. You’d think he’d be over it by now.
Because Kade is always so busy, Layla is spending the day at my house, and we’re watching ‘Magic Mike’. Channing Tatum totally has my heart. The man is so f**king hot. Just before his strip scene comes on (my favorite part), Kade, James, and Chase come home, walking into the living area.
“What the f**k are you watching?” Chase growls out, his blue eyes narrowed on the screen. Channing Tatum does that grinding move against the floor, my favorite one. I groan.
Layla doesn’t even answer Chase, her eyes are still glued on Channing’s pelvic region.
“Shh, this is the best part. Kade, you should watch, get some pointers. I have an idea for another bet.” I wink up at him and turn back to watch Channing do his thing.
Layla and I start cheering and cat calling, raving on about Channing . Yes, we are on a first name basis. We hear the men grumbling, jealous.
“I can move better than him!” Kade mumbles. Chase grunts in agreement. Like Neanderthals.
After the movie is over, I look over at Layla. “I need to think of a bet to make with Kade. The loser ends up on the pole. I want to see what Kade can do,” I ponder.
Layla starts laughing, her brown eyes filling with amusement. “How about a cooking bet? Kade can’t cook, so you’d win for sure. You can get your own Magic Mike private show.”
“More like Magic Kade.” I burst out laughing, as does Layla. What can I say? We're easily amused.