to meet him.”
“Mama, I don’t think this is a good time to meet Aries and have dinner. It’s been a long day and—”
“Tell ’er we’re comin’.” Aries got to his feet, put the chair back in its place, and grabbed his keys. “Tell Mrs. McKinney we’re on our way.” He headed to the door.
“Mama… scratch that. Looks like Aries wants to meet you, too…”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The Garden Variety
“I want to apologize, ma’am, for not lookin’ my best.” Aries stood there and handed the older, attractive woman with the wide hips and glossy pink lips a bouquet of white flowers.
“Oh, you look just fine!” Mrs. McKinney stated with a chuckle as she closed the door behind her daughter and him, then locked it. Her shoulder length dark brown hair was full of textured bouncy curls, and she wore canvas white sneakers, light blue capris and a white top with tiny purple flowers. It was then that he noticed her home smelled just like donuts, a hint of cigarette smoke and perfume. “I know this was impromptu.” She slid the chain across the door and turned back towards them, her cheeks warm and peachy. “I’m just glad y’all could swing by. These sure are pretty, Aries!” She turned the bouquet about in her hands. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m going to put these in some water soon as I finish getting this food situated.”
Aries helped Lauren take off her jacket and she hung it in the coat closet of her parents’ home. He’d left his own jacket in the truck as he still felt a bit flushed after reading the last letter, despite the fact he’d attempted to push his father’s candid words out of his mind.
Mr. McKinney sat in the distance in a chair, staring at the television. The layout of the ranch home was open with the kitchen, living, and dining rooms in one space, yet it was quite nice and clean. The living room seemed to be dwarfed by the man’s energy. His expression was stern, his jaw tight.
“Hello, Mr. McKinney.” Aries waved and took a couple of steps toward him as Lauren spoke softly with her mother. “I’m Aries Creed.” He smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Her father slowly looked in his direction as if he’d been disturbed from a nice slumber, his expression now blank, devoid of care or concern. “Mmm hmm. Hello.” He grunted, then returned his attention to the television.
Well shit. What did I do?
“Never mind him! He’s just cranky because he wants to watch his show.” Mrs. McKinney chuckled nervously as she ushered them into the kitchen. Lauren looked at her father, her brows bunched and lips tight. He knew that look. His lady crossed her arms, sucked her teeth, then followed her mother inside the kitchen where sparkling copper pans hung from special hooks, lush plants added a special touch, and a decorative ivory iron spice rack sat on the counter. “Come on and have a seat.”
“Oh, Mama, we’re not staying long.”
“I know that, baby. I’m just saying it will take me a minute to load everything up.” The old woman seemed delighted to have company as she moved about, opening cabinets and pulling out Tupperware bowls.
“Well then, let me help,” Lauren offered.
“No, no. I’ve got it, honey. Aries, you have a seat, too.”
Lauren reached out for a chair at the small kitchen table, but Aries beat her to the punch and pulled it out for her. Sitting down, she folded her hands on the table and sat up high with her back straight. She mounted my dick like that the other night… He smirked at the memory, then tucked it away for safekeeping. Her mother poured them each tall glasses of water and set them down on the table. She’d even tossed in a lime slice in each one. Fancy.
“Mama, how’s your evening been? Looks like you’ve been overcooking again.”
“Well, my evening has been fine, but your brother was supposed to come through. I called him and he said maybe he’d show up. I hoped he would ’cause he said he was hungry. Guess he got busy.” She heaped piles of chicken salad into a clear plastic bowl, her back to them. Lauren took an audible deep breath.
“Can you blame Landon, Mama?”
“What do you mean?” The woman paused, and turned to face them. Something in her eyes though made Aries think she knew exactly what Lauren was eluding to.
“You know what I mean. You don’t have to pretend just because Aries is sitting here.” Mrs.