sat up. She scooted her ass off the table into my lap, so she was straddling me. She smiled wickedly when she suggested our next game. “Let’s play Twister.”
9.
“I’ll never be able to say goodbye to you.”
Rason
RASON
“Are you sure you want me to go with you?” I asked Eliza once more.
She had plans to go to her brother’s house for dinner. He was getting together with the neighbors on either side of him. The plan was to meet in the middle and eat at his place. When Eliza told him that I was with her, he told her to bring me too. I had a feeling he didn’t give her much choice in the matter.
“I do. I’ve told them all about you already, and I’m sure they’d love to meet you. Besides, when Hank cooks dinner and you’re invited, you should never say no. He’s that good. Are you nervous?”
“I’ve met your brother before. I’ve talked to him quite a few times, actually. He’s come up to visit Daughtry at the shop, and I’ve been to a few of their club parties at Daughtry’s brother’s.”
“I haven’t met Daughtry yet, I don’t think. He sounds nice as far as bosses go.”
“He’s great. I love what I do, and the fact that my boss isn’t an asshole makes my job even better.”
“My boss is pretty particular. She can be a real pain in the ass,” Eliza deadpanned.
“I wonder if that’s what your mom says since she’s your employee now.”
“She knows I’m an angel.”
“I bet she’s got some stories to tell that say otherwise.”
“I’d like for you to meet my mom, Rason. I want her to get to know you so she’ll quit worrying.”
“Okay.” I smiled. “I’d like that. And someday in the future, I’d like to take you out to meet my parents.”
“Really?” Eliza’s eyes got wide. “You said you hadn’t ever taken a girl to meet your parents.”
“I haven’t. You’ll be the first because you’re not just any girl.” I leaned down and kissed Eliza softly. What I was thinking but didn’t say was that she’d be the first and only woman I’d ever need to introduce to my parents. “I’m ready when you are.”
The drive to her brother's house didn’t take long. It was out in the country close to the animal shelter. I was shocked when I realized he lived right next door to one of my friends, Rowdy Ward. I’d met Rowdy when he’d brought a car to the garage a few years ago. He was a tow truck driver that worked for Duke’s towing. The owner of Duke’s, Jace Duke, was an acquaintance of mine, too, and also a good friend of my boss and his family.
We turned in and drove down the long driveway and a pack of dogs ran toward Eliza’s car, barking and jumping with excitement. They were all different breeds and colors - one of them was even missing a leg. Before either of us opened our door, a man came around the side of the house and whistled loudly. The dogs turned and ran his direction, and he turned and walked back around the house.
“That’s Grunt. He’s Hank’s best friend and he lives right over there.” Eliza pointed to the big house that was just west of her brother’s. There was a wide strip of land separating the two properties, just like there was between her brother’s house and my friend Rowdy’s on the other side.
“I know Grunt. He’s my friend Atlas’s stepdad. My friend Rowdy lives over there.” I motioned toward the other property. “I guess he’s going to be here too?”
“He said both neighbors.” Eliza said with a shrug. I took her hand and we walked up onto the long porch together. She reached out and rang the bell, and we waited for someone to open the door. Finally, a woman with a baby in her arms pulled the door open with a frown.
“You don’t ring the bell and you don’t knock. You’re family.”
“Hi, Nicole.” Eliza smiled as she walked into the house. She stopped and peered down at the baby in her sister-in-law’s arms and her expression softened. “Look at you, sweetheart. There’s my sweet baby Janis.”
Nicole handed the baby over to Eliza without a word and then turned to smile at me as she stuck out her hand.
“Hello! I’m Nicole Grissom, Hank’s wife.”
I shook her hand and smiled. “Rason Harper. It’s nice to meet you.”
Eliza had already wandered into the living room, cooing at the baby in her