Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,102

now the rest of the free world is in on the chaste story.

“I meant congratulations on keeping yourself sealed shut.” He folds his obnoxious tree trunk like arms across his chest and shrugs.

“Sealed?” Gross. “Never mind. I know what you’re trying to grunt out in caveman speak. I get it. You think it’s hilarious, don’t you? That’s all women are to you, a container of some sort that unscrews itself open for you. Oh, wait, you do the screwing, don’t you?” I turn a hostile shoulder to him and face the music once again. Sabrina and Duncan stand off to the side, stunned. Both Knox and Lawson have their heads twisted away from me as if I were some sort of sexual leper they want no part of, and Trixie keeps sneaking me glances. It’s creepy the way she looks just like Rex with long black hair. She’s stunning, though, yet another creepy element in the Toberman family cookie-cutter attributes.

“Okay!” Lynette claps her hands together. “It seems several of our family members had very important announcements.” Her thin lips stretch eerily into a strange combination of a grimace and a smile. Lynette is thin, sporty for a woman of age, pretty if you’re into that peroxide-hair, blue-eyed combo, porcelain skin, although she’s been cursed with deep-welled marionette lines. I’d like to think my mother would be pleased to know that, pleased to be made aware of all of Lynette Toberman’s flaws both physical and emotional—God knows that fifty-year-old cheerleader routine is grating on my very last nerve. Well, maybe not my very last nerve. I do believe that red pulsing nodule of agitation is reserved for the boy standing before me licking his lips like I just morphed into a USDA choice cut of prime.

Lynette jumps from foot to foot clapping and whooping. “Duncan, welcome to the family! We’re so very glad to have you.”

Rex and I exchange a curious glace. Who the hell is she to welcome anyone to my family? I study Rex for a moment who seems just as ticked at his dear old mom as I am.

“And Sabrina”—she stretches out my sister’s name painfully, psychotically slow—“I would be honored to shop for bridal gowns with you. I think a girls’ trip to NYC is in our future!” Trixie claps up a storm as if she approves of the Big Apple bridal stomp. And who the hell says N-Y-C? Which funny farm did my father pluck this woman out of? “Of course, we can’t forget our Batter Bits.” Her emotions temper at the drop of a hat. Lynette turns her attention to me, thus directing the remainder of the room to do the same. “I think everyone in this house can learn something from a young lady of such distinctive upstanding virtue.” Dad wraps his arm around her shoulder, his tearful gaze never leaving mine. Dear God, is that pride in his eyes? Sadly, I don’t recall a single moment in my life that my father has looked so distinctly proud of me. Who knew keeping my knees shut would bring such glory? My face burns like fire, and I wish to God I would combust to put me out of this awkward virginal dilemma.

Lynette cocks her head in an effort to continue. “Scarlett Amethyst Kent is a testament—”

“Amaryllis,” Dad gently corrects while lovingly patting her hand, and now I’m not sure what has me embroiled in silent rage more at the moment—my spontaneous confessional or the fact my father insists on treating this woman as if she actually means something to him.

“Amaryllis?” Rex huffs a dull laugh, butting his shoulder into mine, and I swiftly take a step away.

Lynette clears her throat, tears sparkling in her eyes. “I’m just so proud of our baby girl.” She looks to my father, and they share a brief kiss.

Our baby girl? This woman needs to be committed, and fast.

Rex leans in. “This is getting weird,” he whispers. “You want to start throwing knives and crap? I think maybe we should have that horrible breakup now, liven up the mood.”

I glance to my sister, and she’s still beaming that same smug grin of satisfaction ever since she officially claimed my ex as her own. As if I give a rat’s ass. My stomach does a quick revolution as I spot their conjoined hands.

“We’re not breaking up,” I whisper.

“What?” Rex steps in, allowing his chest to warm my back, and my heart thumps straight into my ears.

Dad presses a kiss to