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As I rolled my suitcase through the foyer, the rhythmic thud of the wheels against the grooves of the tiled floor echoed through the house. The sound of paws scraping against the floor drew my attention, and I looked up to see Boomer, our family’s Pomeranian husky, skidding across the floor in his excitement.
“Boomer!” I exclaimed, my heart swelling with joy at the sight of my little buddy. “My favorite little guy!” His coat was a beautiful blend of ice grey and snow white, and his haunting blue eyes could melt your heart if you dared to meet his gaze. Those eyes were the reason I’d chosen him, along with his playful nature. I’d been lucky enough to afford him—those dogs don’t come cheap.
Eric had bought him on a whim, and my mom had nearly had a fit. But when she saw how happy I was with Boomer, she couldn’t stay mad. And that happiness never faded. I loved him so much.
I sat down on the cold tiled floor, feeling the chill seep through the thin fabric of my jeans. Boomer proceeded to lick my face, and I hugged him, trying to calm his excitement.
“I knew you’d be excited to see me, Boom. I’m your favorite, aren’t I?” I said in a playful voice. I stretched out on the floor, and Boomer lay down between my legs, his belly up, ready for a good rub. I knew that little smirk anywhere. I rubbed his belly, laughing at how much I’d missed this.
“Alex!” Eden, Adam, and Noah’s voices echoed through the house as they raced each other to reach me. Boomer jumped up excitedly and ran around the foyer. The kids wrapped their tiny arms around my neck and shoulders, smothering me with their sweet kisses. Adam sat down between my legs, while Noah clung to my neck.
Eden ran to Knox and pointed for him to join us. He complied, and she sat down on his lap, his large arms wrapped protectively around her tiny body.
“You’ve got such a soft spot for her, Knox,” I teased.
“Look at that face, though. Come on!” he retorted, grinning widely and pointing at Eden, who sat there innocently.
“Well, hello there, my boyfriend!” Adam tilted his head back to look up at me. I showered his face with playful kisses, and he grinned, showing off his teeth. This kid was too cute for his own good. Noah started to kiss my cheeks playfully, and I laughed, turning my head to return his kisses.
Boomer came over and started to lick Adam’s face, causing Eden to giggle from Knox’s lap. I looked over to see her smiling up at him.
“Do I get a smooch from my princess?” Knox asked Eden. She nodded and kissed him on the nose, just like Max does to her.
I smiled at her, “Eden, is Knox your boyfriend?”
She scrunched up her nose and said, “Ewww,” causing me to laugh and Knox to glare at me.
“That’s right, doll. Don’t get tied down too early,” I said, pointing at her playfully.
She laughed up at Knox, who was smiling back at her. “She’s too cute to be mad at, just like your aunt, huh!” he said, lightly poking her little nose. I rolled my eyes at his comment. Was he talking about me or Sam?
“Noah, swap places with you,” Knox suggested, smirking at me.
I turned to Noah and said, “Don’t you move a muscle, buddy,” causing a high-pitched laugh to echo through the foyer. He tightened his grip on my neck and kissed my cheek again.
“Is Andy here?” Noah whispered in my ear, but everyone heard it.
I turned to face him again and replied, “No, I know you miss your girlfriend, buddy, but she’s coming to Savannah for a little while this summer.” He blushed and looked down at the ground.
“Really? She’s coming?” I nodded, and he had the biggest grin on his face. His first crush, and it was on my best friend. Kyle had some competition.
“Kids, come get some food!” Sam’s voice echoed through the foyer, causing the kids to scramble up and run off. Boomer stayed put with me and Knox, sitting on the floor. It was just us in the foyer.
I waved my hand over Boomer’s face, making funny noises at him. He walked over to Knox, who he also adored. I sat back on my hands, my legs spread wide on the floor, watching Boomer’s movements.
“I think I might take him back to mine. He’s too cute.” Knox said.
“You take him from me, you die, Carter! I’ve trained him well—he will never leave me,” I warned, looking at him over the rim of my glasses before taking them off to hang them on my top.
He scooted closer to me, reminding me of the time we’d sat on the bathroom floor a few weeks back.
“You’re the cutest boy and the only one who doesn’t constantly piss me off! Aren’t ya, buddy? You’re such a cutie pie! Mama missed you so much!” I cooed at Boomer.
“Hey! That hurts, baby doll. I don’t piss you off! I’m clearly your favorite,” Knox retorted, his eyebrows wiggling playfully.
I petted Boomer, his tongue hanging out as he panted happily. Someone was clearly enjoying this.
“Yeah, Knox, I just can’t get enough of you. You’re the bestest in the whole wide world,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Really?” He inquired, a hopeful note in his voice.
“Ha! No, I’m mad at you too!” I retorted, trying to catch Boomer’s attention by tapping the tiled floor.
“Why? I didn’t do anything. I didn’t join in on the beating. Although he deserved-”
“Knox, enough! No one deserves to be beaten up unless it’s self-defense or something! I don’t want this to happen again. Not that it will, because you’ve all effectively scared off any potential suitors! So, thanks.”
“Baby doll, look, they didn’t handle it the right way, but what’s done is done. And if no guy is brave enough to come near you and face us, then they don’t deserve you! But if you open your eyes, your knight in shining armor might be closer than you think.” He cast a shy smile in my direction.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I wasn’t sure how to respond. He’s been acting strange again, so different from the night after the football game in LA. When we had that brief, intimate moment.
He shrugged, adjusting his cap while continuing to play with Boomer. I couldn’t help but smile at their playful interaction. Boomer turned his head to face me, tilting it to the side.
“You like Knox, Boomer? Hmm? Yeah?” Knox beamed at him, as if he’d done something praiseworthy, then turned that smile on me.
After a few more moments, we pushed ourselves off the floor and walked into the kitchen, where our families were bustling about.
My mom and Delilah beamed at us, their minds clearly on the idea of us being together. I hugged each of them and started to survey the food.
I walked into the pantry to get Boomer some food. After filling his bowl and refreshing his water, I gave him a treat. I’d missed the little guy so much.
I sat back down on the floor, crossing my legs, and he sat down too. I stroked his fluffy fur while he nibbled at the food I’d set out for him. Then my brothers, the Carter boys, Bret and Tyler, walked in.
They all stood there, watching me. I could feel their eyes on me. All nine pairs of them.
I kept my eyes on Boomer, refusing to give them any satisfaction. Even when one of them cleared his throat, I didn’t look up.
“Alex?” Kyle crouched down in front of me, and then Sam walked in.
“Seriously, guys! Go find someone else to smother!” I teased.
“But we love you, sis!” Cole chimed in, and the others echoed his sentiment.
“Okay, okay, but I need to sleep. Like, now!” They didn’t budge, and I groaned in exasperation.
“Alex, we’re all sleeping with you tonight, so get used to it,” Austin declared.
“Like hell you are! Get out of my room! I don’t want any of you copping a feel while I’m trying to sleep,” I teased. They all sat up, giving me their full attention. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Which one of us did you think was going to cop a feel, Alex?” Tyler asked, grinning. I knew he would, as would Brett, Wes, and possibly Knox. But I kept that to myself.
“I feel like I’m in a modern version of The Sound of Music. Like I’m about to burst into song and start sewing you all outfits from my curtains.” They all laughed, and Sam came bounding in.
“Are we having a slumber party?” she asked, eyes closed, clearly enjoying the moment.
“Yeah, Sam! We can strip down to our underwear, have pillow fights, and play truth or dare! Maddie, Lena, get in here! We’re having a slumber party!”
Excited squeals echoed from the hallway, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps. Maddie and Lena burst into the room, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“No way! Yes!!!” The sound of little feet racing upstairs and the sight of the little ones trying to climb onto the bed made me giggle.
“I’m sleeping with Alex!” Adam declared, causing a debate to erupt in the room.
“No way, little bud! You can sleep next to her on one side, but I get the other side!” Knox countered, crawling across the bodies to get
to me.
Wes smacked him on the back, and they exchanged a glare. Laughter erupted from the doorway, where all the parents stood, snapping pictures of us.
I loved this. I felt so safe.
“Alright, alright, let Alex sleep now! Before my bed collapses and I have to sleep somewhere else! So, goodbye everyone! I’ll see you all tomorrow… afternoon! No way I’ll be up in the morning,” I joked.
One by one, they left the room, leaving only Adam and Knox on either side of me.
“I know you’re both awake! I’m the queen of pretending to sleep! Please! Both of you out! Now!” I tickled Adam and slapped Knox’s chest.
Adam giggled and kissed my forehead. “Night, Alex! See you tomorrow!” He climbed down from the bed and rummaged through my wardrobe and drawers, pretending to scare off the monsters.
“Hang on there, bud! Aren’t you missing a monster?” I pointed at Knox, who was grinning at first, then frowned at my comment.
Adam chuckled and waved goodnight before running out the door.
“He’s too cute!” I sighed.
“Come on, little monster, out! I need my beauty sleep,” I teased Knox, sitting up and releasing his hand.
“You don’t need it, baby doll,” he said, causing me to widen my eyes in surprise. He laughed at my reaction, and I pushed him away, though he grabbed my hand again and pulled me closer.
He kissed my forehead. “Night, baby doll! Sleep well. Don’t dream about me too much. See you tomorrow!” He winked at me before leaving the room.
What the hell? He was super flirty… It wasn’t just me, right?
They were all going to the Christmas fair tomorrow, but I decided to sleep in. I’d go with Hannah another day. I’d been to so many already.
I rolled my eyes at Knox’s comment, slipped into my jersey, and slid into bed. It wasn’t long before sleep claimed me.
