Styx holds a plate with half of the huge serving of the casserole already in his mouth. West grins, watching me as if I were wearing a revealing dress or lingerie, not in black jeans, a maroon chunky sweater, sleeves rolled up to my elbows, hunched over a pumpkin, carving it.
“West, what a pleasure to see you,” Mom hugs him in greeting before narrowing her eyes at my brother.
Knowing the drill, he bends his long legs so he can kiss her cheek hello. “Hey, Ma. Delicious, as always.”
“Did you even offer any to West?” Her hand lands on her popped-out hip.
“He did,” West saves my brother. “I decided to wait. I won’t say no to taking some home with me.”
“Good luck,” Styx says around another bite. “I doubt there’ll be any left by the time we leave.”
“Let me go wrap some up before it’s too late,” my mother says, shaking her head, entering the house.
“Wrap up some for me, too,” Styx calls. “Please.” He remembers his manners.
“Mr. Lane, good to see you,” West shakes Dad’s hand.
“You’re a man now, not a boy. Call me, Stan, son.”
“I’ll work on that,” West grins.
“Holy shit, Cami. Still got it, huh?” Styx kneels down, balancing his plate, taking in my two finished pumpkins.
Mom’s request was a whimsical forest with winding branches, hallowed bases for light to come through, a path, and a gnome at the end. Something she saw on social media. Dad wanted something creepier. I made a haunted house with scary jack-o-lanterns, a big moon, and bats.
They’ll be putting fairy lights inside to make every layer glow, enhancing the designs.
“What’s this one going to be?” West asks, kneeling as well but keeping a safe distance between us.
“This one, I won’t finish tonight. It’s more intricate. It's going to be a pumpkin witch. The hair and frame are going to be a pain, but so worth it. Speaking of, I’m gonna wash my hands and help clean up before we head out.”
I brush pumpkin shavings off my lap and wobble to get up. West’s hand automatically takes mine and helps me stand.
“I’ve been sitting in this position for hours,” I laugh. “My legs are jello.” West squeezes my hand before letting go, and I head inside.
Once the backyard is cleaned up, the leftovers have been distributed, and Dad takes Styx aside—I’m sure to ask why one of his MC brothers has been watching the house—we head out.
“You’re with me,” West says casually. I glance at my brother, putting on his coat. “Styx is heading the opposite way to the club, so I offered to drop you off at Nora’s.”
“That works.”Play it cool.“Make sure Drew doesn’t steal your leftovers.”
“He’s lucky he gets any at all.”
“I’ll think of you with every bite,” West waves the tupperware, taunting Drew.
Drew holds up his. “I got the bigger portion, fucker.”
“Language, Drew, please.” My mother wraps herself in her shawl.
“Love you, Ma,” Drew says, kissing her cheek, exiting the house.
I hug them goodbye. Mom stops me with her hand.
“West has really turned into a good, solid man,” she says.
Uh oh.
“Um,” I look over my shoulder at West, waiting by his car. “I mean, it’s been a while since we’ve really seen each other, but yes, he seems to be doing well for himself. All the Hunter brothers have.”
