Chapter 28: Forever With The CEO: Chapter 28

Gran’s invitation came much faster than expected. She asked us all to her place the following weekend.

On Saturday, we arrived early, but even so, I’d spotted enough cars to know that at least half the family was already here. The twins were excited when we told them we were going to see my grandparents. The second I opened the door to the house, they barreled inside.

“Guys, you don’t know where to go. Wait a bit,” Allison called after them.

But she needn’t have to because Gran came out into the hallway, and the twins hugged her legs tightly.

“Welcome!” she exclaimed.

Allison and I had decided to tease the family today. We weren’t going to hide that we were together, but we weren’t going to make it easy for them either.

“Allison, darling, welcome to our home,” Gran added.

“It’s so cozy,” Allison said.

As Gran led us inside, she asked me, “Did you live here at all?”

“No, I didn’t. My half brothers moved in with them after their mother passed away. We lived in Maine with Mom until college.”

“Got it. So… are we still on with our original plan?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

“We’re on. But it might come back to bite us.”

She jerked her head back. “What do you mean? How?”

“I can never say how or when, but it’s a definite possibility with the family.”

“Hmm. So, no PDA?”

I tilted closer. “If we can help it.”

She bit her lower lip. “That’s just the thing. I don’t think I can.”

“I don’t think I can either.” My voice was more of a growl. I cupped the side of her neck with one hand, putting my thumb just behind her ear. She tilted her head into it. “Or I could just kiss you right now and everyone would know.”

Her eyes widened a bit as she licked her lower lip. “How would they know? No one’s here.”

“Trust me. Another rule in this house: if we do something they want to see, someone will see it through walls.”

We started to laugh.

As if on cue, we heard footsteps. I let her go and winked at her. Over these past few weeks, she’d changed a lot. She was relaxed and smiled more. And yeah, I was taking all the credit for that.

Penny and Meredith appeared in the entrance hall.

“Hurry, you two,” Meredith said, looking intently at us as if she was trying to decipher something. “Otherwise, the first tray of finger foods will be gone, and I don’t think the catering company brought any more quiches. They’re to die for.”

“Today’s a catering company day again?” I asked as Allison and I walked toward the living room. I almost touched her lower back but stopped myself just in time.

“Yes,” Meredith replied. “Everyone had a very full week, so we didn’t have time to coordinate cooking among ourselves.”

“Why’s that?” Allison asked.

“It took us a long while to convince Gran to stop cooking for so many people. So now at gatherings, she uses a catering company, or each of us cooks something and we bring it by. More of a potluck type of get-together.”

“That’s smart.”

Half the family was already in the living room. Jake, Natalie, and their daughter, Meredith, Cade, Penny, Spencer, and Ben. The twins were all over Ben already. I was happy that the little guy wasn’t jealous that there were two more kids in the family.

Colton and Zoey were here too. The two of them stopped talking when they saw us. Colton actually flashed me a grin, which almost made me do a double take. Our oldest half brother wasn’t usually one to grin or be very humorous, but things had changed since he’d met Zoey, and the family had grown closer.

I realized that it wasn’t just Colton and Zoey who were looking at us, though. Everyone else was too. What had Gran done, spread the word to everyone?

Of course, that was precisely what she’d done. Why would that even surprise me?

“Hello, you two,” Jake said.

“Hi.” Allison sounded a bit shy. It was hard for me to remember that she’d only met the whole family once.

“This is the very official welcome to the family. Don’t know if Nick filled you in.”

“He didn’t!” She playfully swatted my shoulder.

I flashed her a warning look. Touching was dangerous. That was the thing with Allison: I could never touch or kiss her even just a little bit. It was all or nothing.

“Yeah, it actually is,” I replied. “Jake’s right. When my grandparents ask you over, it means you’re a Whitley now.”

Before all of this, the thought of me showing up here with a woman had been unthinkable. I was fully aware that this had happened under odd circumstances, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wanted Allison here with me for all the other times that Gran asked us over. I wanted her to celebrate Christmases and birthdays with my family.

I wanted her and the twins in my life forever.

The recognition completely shocked me. That wasn’t what we were doing at all. We were staying together until she got custody, and that was it. But when I thought of someone taking my place, that didn’t sit well with me either. Not at all.

I could be a good boyfriend. But what if I could be a good husband too?

“So, what was that about a quiche?” I inquired.

“We saved you some,” Natalie said. “I had to fight for it.”

I started to laugh.

“They’re really delicious, with ham and parmigiano and a lot of other things,” she went on.

She pointed to a plate on the huge dinner table. Even though my grandparents had gotten progressively longer tables over the years, we’d come to the point where we couldn’t fit enough chairs around it, so we took turns eating.

As Allison and I both reached for a quiche, I put my hand on her back. It was instinctive; I needed to be connected with her one way or another. I didn’t realize I was doing it until I heard Natalie whisper something behind me. I didn’t catch much, but the words cozy and close filtered through to us.

I caught Allison’s eye, and she chuckled. Oh, what the hell. I was certain that by the time the day ended, everyone would know. And why shouldn’t they? I was opening myself up for conversations that I wasn’t ready for, but I’d just roll with it.

“All right. The rest of the clan is here too,” Spencer exclaimed.

Allison and I turned in unison to see Gabe, Leo, and Maddox arrive with their partners.

“That was the last quiche, wasn’t it?” Gabe said, pointing at me.

“Yes,” I replied proudly.

“It pays to be early,” Jake teased.

Allison’s stomach rumbled.

“Damn it, I should have given you mine,” I told her.

There was an audible gasp, but I couldn’t tell from whom. Yeah, I was on a slippery slope and didn’t even know it.

“There’s plenty of food in the kitchen,” Gran said. “The catering team is prepping the next round, so you can go and have your pick.”

“All right, I’ll go see what they have,” Allison said.

“I’m coming with you,” I assured her.

I figured she and I should settle on some rules if we planned to go through with teasing the family. Or we could just throw that plan in the garbage.

Yeah, I liked that much better. We’d already blown it anyway.

When we entered the kitchen, the catering team had just finished their preparations and were moving around the kitchen with efficiency.

“Let’s steal something and go into the backyard,” I said.

We grabbed two plates and some grilled cheese sandwiches, then went outside. We ate them much quicker than I thought we would and set the plates on the swing they’d installed for Ben.

“So,” she said, looking at me with a mischievous smile, “you asked me out here for a reason, huh?”

“Yes. I have a problem,” I admitted. “I can’t keep my hands off you.”

She grinned and immediately laced her arms around my neck. “I figured that. Just didn’t know what to make of it.”

I growled. “I don’t think our plan was smart.”

“I’m starting to think you’re right. So, what else do you want to do?”

“Well, what I want to do right now is kiss you. I didn’t get my fill of you this morning. That’s why I can’t keep my hands off you.”

Rising onto her toes, she brought her mouth to my ear. I grabbed her hips firmly so she wouldn’t lose her balance. “Nah, I think the opposite is true. The more you touch me, the more you want me.”

I didn’t argue with that because she had a point, and I needed that sassy mouth too much to waste precious time talking. I kissed her just the way I’d wanted to all day. Her lips were soft and so damn delicious. I could spend the rest of my life kissing this woman, and it wouldn’t be enough. I didn’t have words to describe what being with her did to me. It was transformative in a way that surpassed my comprehension.

I was so lost in exploring her mouth that I didn’t even hear the door open. But I did hear the voice filtering through.

“Oh, okay. I guess we found them.”

I instantly straightened up, and so did Allison. We both glanced toward the house. Swear to God, the entire family had come out to the backyard.

Maddox grinned. “That’s one way to make a statement.”

I started to laugh. Allison was blushing.

“No. We decided to come out here and eat. There’s not enough space in the living room,” I said.

“Well, well!” Gran exclaimed, smiling from ear to ear.

The only ones missing from the group were Penny, Spencer, Ben, and the twins.

“I’m very happy for you two kids,” Gran said.

Allison covered her mouth with her hand. The ring I’d given her popped at me, reminding me that we were married and this could be real. We just had to make it that way. But right now, I sensed Allison was feeling cornered.

I stepped next to her and put my arm around her shoulders. “Right. I have a request of everyone. No questions today.”

Half the group started to talk at the same time.

Maddox shook his head. “Dude, making a statement like that is only going to make matters worse.”

I ran a hand through my hair, taking in everyone’s curious expressions. He probably had a point. Fuck, why did I think this was a good idea? I should have explained what was happening a few weeks ago, at least to my brothers. Told them that Allison and I weren’t just platonic roommates anymore.

“Don’t put Allison on the spot, please.”

“I hate to point this out,” Leo said, “but you kind of did. What the hell, man? Should have found a dark corner of the house or something.”

That had the effect of breaking the ice, so to speak. Allison started to laugh. At least she was relaxing a bit. Leo and I began laughing too. The rest of the family was just murmuring, but I knew they weren’t going to push. We were all close and nosy, but we respected one another’s boundaries.

Once everyone settled down, Granddad said, “Let’s change topics. No one needs us to meddle.” He was looking sternly at Gran, who, to my astonishment, nodded.

“Of course, of course,” she said.

But as everyone dispersed around the garden, Gran made a beeline for us.

“I will only say one thing on the topic. I know that you two started this for noble reasons, but I was certain there was something between the two of you long before you walked down that aisle.”

“Really?” Allison asked.

“Don’t encourage her,” I warned.

“Nick, I’m speaking from my heart,” Gran admonished. “The way Nick worried about you and wanted to make things easier for you, dear, it spoke volumes. And then at the wedding, you two… Well, there was something, and it was very obvious to me. I think for some of the others in the family too. I’m glad you two saw it as well.”

With that, Gran turned around and headed to the porch, where the catering team had already brought out food.

Allison was completely silent, and that kind of put me on edge.

“Allison? What are you thinking?” I asked.

She glanced up at me. “Your gran is adorable. But her spin on this is very… romantic.”

Shit. Does she not feel the same way I do? Figures that I’d fall for someone who doesn’t reciprocate.

“Don’t worry about her, okay?”

“I just don’t want to get her hopes up.”

Damn. Maybe all I’d get was a marriage with benefits after all…

“Let’s go enjoy the food. Don’t worry about getting anyone’s hopes up. If they do, it’s entirely their fault.”

“And yours, mister, for kissing me right here in this yard.”

I growled, leaning closer. Now that everyone had seen us, I didn’t really care what else they saw. And besides, I’d already used up all my self-restraint for the day.

“Nick! The food is here.” She took a step back before adding, “I’m going to bring out Annie and Jack.”

There was no need for that because Spencer came out with them and Ben. Penny was right behind them. Gran immediately went to her and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes went comically wide as she glanced at me. I tilted my head, shaking it, and she smiled sheepishly.

Why was everyone getting their hopes up? They were acting as if we’d just announced that we were inviting them to a real wedding.

Penny immediately pulled Allison to one side.

l said loudly for everyone to hear, “Allison, if you need rescuing from Penny or anyone else, just holler and I’ll come get you.”

She gave me a thumbs-up as everyone laughed. I kept an eye on the twins, who were running around the yard without looking at any of the adults or Ben.

While I ate a hot dog, Maddox and Leo both came up to me. “You’re about thirty seconds too late,” I informed them.

“For what?” Leo asked, confused.

“For a moment, I thought you’d come to corner me.”

“Told you he’d see this coming,” Maddox remarked.

“Dude, explain yourself,” Leo demanded.

I shook my head. “I specifically said no questions today.”

“Yeah, that was in regard to Allison, which we’ll respect. We don’t want to scare her away already. But I sure as hell won’t be quiet around you.”

“Since when are you so curious? I thought that was Gran’s territory.”

Leo pressed a hand on his left eye and then the right one, shaking his head. “Since you went from repeating that you’d never settle down to marrying someone and now apparently dating her.”

“Exactly that,” Maddox agreed.

“Listen, we don’t want to intrude,” Leo went on. “We just want to make sure that you have a solid plan and know what you’re doing.”

I swallowed hard as I took another bite of the hot dog. “I don’t,” I admitted.

“Fuck, I knew it,” Leo said. “I told you this laissez-faire attitude would eventually bite you in the ass.”

“Look, the original plan still stands. We’ll stay married until she gets custody.”

“And then what?” Maddox asked. “You’ll just move out and go on with your old life?”

“Probably.” But that sounded fucking awful. I didn’t want to move back to the penthouse unless Allison and the twins came with me.

None of this made sense anymore.

“I hope it works out the way you want it to, without things getting messy,” Leo offered.

“It will. Allison and I are both adults. We know what’s at stake here. We know what we’re doing.” Not.

“You just said a few seconds ago that you don’t,” Maddox pointed out.

“I’m just not thinking that far ahead. We’ve barely heard from Hugo. The custody battle is ongoing. He’s doing the brunt of the work, so Allison doesn’t have to do anything, not even talk to Sophie and Bob. We’ll see what happens.”

“So, there’s a possibility that you won’t just pack up your life and move back to the penthouse as soon as she gets custody?”

“Everything’s up in the air,” I told my brothers. “Both Allison and I are fine with the way things are.”

“As long you’re both on the same page, that’s perfect. It’s all that matters. Forget all the excitement in the family,” Leo said. “We have your back no matter what. You know that, right? In case Hugo needs any sort of character references or something.”

“He didn’t say anything about that. It probably wouldn’t count much, though, coming from family.”

Maddox weighed in. “It was just an example. You can count on us for anything you need. Same goes for Allison.”

“Thanks.” I liked that they had her back too.

“By the way… we have some news on Dad. I actually talked to him—told him we’re not cool with him using the Whitley name,” Maddox explained.

“I take it he wasn’t happy?”

Maddox snorted. “He actually had the guts to ask for money in exchange for not using the name.”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s trying to extort us? He’ll never change. I personally don’t want to give him a dime.”

Leo nodded. “That’s the general consensus.”

“You already spoke to everyone?” I was impressed.

“Yes,” he said proudly.

“He probably did this on purpose to provoke us. So I’ll just tell him he can fuck off. If he wants to use the name, it’s on him,” Maddox added.

“And to think Mom believed that he was sorry for everything. He sold her a sob story when they met in Indonesia a while ago.” Leo shook his head. “Whatever. He’s far enough away not to cause any real trouble.”

I nodded. “I agree.”

“Then we’ll let you enjoy your hot dog,” Maddox said.

“Thank you for your magnanimity,” I said sardonically. “It was good catching up.”

“That’s not catching up. That’s us finding out the bare minimum. Do us a favor: next time you want to throw a bomb like that, give us a heads-up so we can brace ourselves.”

“Duly noted,” I said before focusing on my hot dog.

After finishing it, I glanced around the garden. Allison was now chatting with Meredith, Natalie, and Zoey, laughing with them. I looked at her intently, trying to decipher her body language. She didn’t seem cornered or in need of being rescued. At least I could count on my brothers’ women to keep to their word and not overwhelm my girl.