“I dated him once,” Grandma says when Arnold Schwarzenegger shows up on the screen, dressed like an action hero.
“Arnold or Turbo-man?” Sean teases.
“Wouldn’t you like to know, you little sissy?” Grandma snaps back. At the beginning of the night, the older woman intimidated me. She still does, but now I think I’d like to be her when I grow up.
“Sure, okay Grandma.” He fires back.
Grandma smacks Mark Bentley's arm. “I gave you perfect genes to work with and these kids were the best you could do?”
“Hey!” Lennox jumps in.
“Oh no, dear, you and Trent are fine,” Grandma corrects herself.
Michael scoffs. “Thanks for the love, Grandma.”
“No offense Mikey, but you came out alittle wonky looking,” she says, then looks at me. “His head was all cone-shaped, and he was bug-eyed. He’s gotten better, though.”
Better is the understatement of the year.
Michael shakes his head but laughs. “Her superpower is humbling people.”
“I like her,” I say.
He grins,then drops his arm behind me. My body’s traitorous reaction is cut short because suddenly Sean whoops, and Grant and Trent groan. Mrs. Bentley tries unsuccessfully to shush them all.
“Whatjust happened?” I whisper to Michael.
He shrugs, his eyes barely leaving the television. “A bet.”
“I didn’t think he’d have the guts to snuggle up to you with the whole family watching,” Trent admits with a serious expression.
My face burns hotter than the gas fireplace in the corner of the room.
“Don’t mind them, Juliet,” Lennox says, rolling her eyes. “They are all immature idiots.”
“Says the girl who’s still waiting for her first kiss.” Sean nudges Lennox with his shoulder.
Lennox’s cheeks turn pink, and I can’t help but glance at Grant, whose jaw is set in an unreadable expression. Everyone acts like he’s part of the family, like a brother. Everyone…except Lennox. It took metwo minutes at dinner to see the connection between her and Grant. I wonder if everyone else knows, or if they are all blind.
“Should we place bets on that?” Michael joins in on the teasing. My heart goes out to her. Living with three older brothers was probably a unique form of torture.
“Don’t you dare.” Lennox glares at him.
“Ah, don’t get upset, Lenny,” Michael says. “It wasa joke.”
She stands up from the couch. “Everything always is with you guys.” She stomps out of the room, and once again I look at Grant, whose eyes follow her all the way.
I turn on Michael once everyone’s attention has returned to the show.
“Don’t you think that was a little harsh?” I whisper.
He lifts a brow. “With Lennox? Nah, she knows we are teasing.”
Considering the way she ran out of here, I doubt it. “Does she?”
He pats my shoulder. “Of course.”
I purse my lips. “She’s going to get you guys back one of these days.” And they will deserve every bit of whatever she does.
