Rob followed behind, obviously irritated.
Jake opened the door to the two of them in hushed whispers, his eyes flipping between them and a quiet Madi.
“He’s not even trying,” Kendra shouted in a hush to Madi as she folded her arms over her chest.
Madi opened her mouth to speak, but Rob burst in. “I think you’re trying a little too hard,” he stated. “Are they even buying this line of crap? Sugar bear… come on!” he said as he rolled his eyes.
“I’m sure they’re not,” Kendra said, facing him. “They know me. They know I’d neverdatesomeone like you, much less call you my boyfriend. You act like you can’t even stand to be in the same room with me. That’s not going to convince them we’re a couple. You suck at acting.”
“You want me to act like I like you?” he spouted back into her face.
“You could try to act like anormalhuman being! That would be a start!” Kendra shouted in a whisper into his face.”
“Fine,” he muttered angrily.
“Fine!” she returned. Rob grabbed her hand firmly and pulled her back into the kitchen. Kendra stumbled from the sudden yank he gave her as her six-inch heels almost caused her to tumble onto the floor.
Jake and Madi glared at each other. Neither had said a single word.
Jake gave a quick flinch of his head.
Madi sighed. “This is going to be an interesting day.”
Jake, Steve, and Rob sat around the television set, drinking beer and commenting on the Bears game, whooping, hollering and collectively sighing from one play to the next.
Madi placed the sweet potatoes into the oven as her mother stirred the pot on the stove. Kendra sat at the table, inhaling a glass of wine.
“Kendra, sweetheart,” Rob called. “Could you be a doll and bring me another beer?”
Madi pursed her lips as she watched Kendra’s eyes gape before her posture stiffened. Madi’s mother went to the fridge and handed three bottles to Kendra, smiling skeptically. Kendra forced a small smile to Madi’s mother and gritted her teeth at Madi as she turned to make her delivery.
Madi curled her head around the corner to watch. Jake immediately saw her and winked at her. His wink… Ugh. She bit her lip as she considered that one small movement from him could send her head spinning.
Kendra handed a bottle to each of the men. Madi’s father said thanks, not taking his eyes off the screen. Jake grinned at her fake smile to him. When Kendra handed the bottle to Rob, he stared at her lovingly, making Madi’s heart clench. She’d never seen his face like that. He almost seemed sincere.
“Thanks, honey,” he said, pulling her down to him. Kendra stumbled from the movement and fell into his lap. He grabbed her face and kissed her mouth. Kendra jerked slightly at first, but seemed to adjust into the kiss. Madi’s mouth fell open as she glared at Jake. He shrugged as he brought the bottle to his lips.
Rob quickly released Kendra’s mouth as he pushed her forward out of his lap. She huffed for a moment before fluffing her short hair, regaining her composure. Rob licked his lips and watched her stumble up the stairs. He noticed Madi’s gaping mouth and gave her a small nod before turning his eyes back to the game.
Kendra approached Madi as she wiped her mouth. “What the fuck was that?” Kendra asked.
Madi shrugged in response. “How was it?” she nudged her inquisitively. Kendra seemed to taste her own lips as her eyes danced with confusion behind her lashes. “Umm, actually, not bad,” she replied, surprising even herself. “He’s taken this to a whole new level. I won’t be undone.”
The front door swung open and a cold rush of air caused Madi to grab her arms. “Let the party begin!” he exclaimed as he closed the door behind him. Madi smiled as she took in the sight of her brother Michael.
“Ugh,” Kendra twisted away from the door, pouring herself another glass of wine.
Madi’s mother did a double take at her before smiling and greeting her second oldest with open arms. “Michael! You’re home!” She kissed his cheek as Madi crossed her arms and watched.
Steve, Jake and Rob followed the noise up the stairs. Jake pressed his cheek to hers from behind her. “Michael,” she whispered in his ear. He nodded.
“Hey, baby sis,” he said to her as he dropped his bag on the floor, hugging his father.
Madi shifted to him and he kissed her cheek and hugged her close. His eyes followed the floor to the top of Jake’s head. “This is the guy?” he asked.
Madi turned proudly. “Mike, this is Jake. Jake, my brother Mike.”
Jake held out his hand and Mike shook it. “So this is the singer who’s sleeping with Allison Gregory while he lulls my sister into a false sense of hope.”
