Sam
I grunted inwardly as I see Craig and his parents walk through the doors.
You think they would have gone through having dinner at their own home this year. They complain about my dad's habit of always turning every holiday into what they call- another Cinco de Mayo celebration.
He can't help it though. He loves his workers, and his workers love and respect him. He tries to do big celebrations for them by bringing them into our home, making a big cook-off outside and of course... Let's, and lots of drinking.
Mom hates it of course because the ladies start cleaning and preparing all kinds of goods, making her feel bad. But let's face it, mom hates cooking, and she always hires a cleaning crew to take care of everything at home.
Meanwhile, she spends her day shopping, branching, and playing bridge with her snooty friends, and yes, it includes Craig's mom in her group.
"There you are you big beluga, how are you old man?" Craig's dad hugs my dad with a loud thump on his back.
"Hey, shark, I thought you guys were heading to your cabin to spend the week up there? What happened? No wifi scared the wife and kid?" dad jokes, making him throw his head back chuckling.
"You know them too well. They can't seem to be able to spend a day without shopping or using those damn contractions," he says shaking his head.
"Julian?... Julian, tell Jorge and the rest of your workers to be careful with my plants, they're going to kill them." mom storms in looking angry.
"And where do you think you're going?" she looks at Jorge going up the stairs making him freeze in his spot.
Jorge looks at my dad and then towards my mom, "Uh, boss said to put Mr. Russell's luggage in Sammy's room."
Her eyes widen, and I just know all hell is loose.
"Oh no you're not." she places her hands on her hips and turns to look at dad who turns his sight away from her looking at the ceiling. "How can you tell him to put his bags in our daughter's room? He's a man, he can not stay in her room."
"Oh, please. Russell is a nice boy, besides, Sam is a grown woman, she can handle herself."
"Julian Adams, I can't believe you. The answer is no, I mean it." she says stomping her foot on the floor.
She was scary, but I don't think dad was taking her seriously.
"The HELL...." mom dragged her words, and dad knew she was going to be trouble unless he stuck by and put his foot down.
Honestly, I would so much rather have Russell stay with me because otherwise, it implied that Craig would try and sleep over and would probably try and sneak into my room at night. He knew how to unlock my door, which was why I had set up one of those locks on top that you have to undo from the inside.
" ENOUGH. Do you think I don't know what you did? What...or WHO?" he says looking at Craig who lowers his head in shame.
"The hell gave you the idea to go see Sam and demand her to move out of her dorm? And with Craig nonetheless. You tell me that it's ok for her to sleep in the same room with a boy, only if it's Craig?" he squints an eye, pointing to my mom who now looks just as guilty as Craig.
"What? I did no such-"
"Oh save it. I already know. For your information, Craig and Sam broke up years ago. She's dating Russell now, aren't you sweetheart?" he smiles looking at me.
I feel as if I'm in between the sword and the wall. I look between mom and dad and turn to Russell. He smirks apologetically but then winks. I know he's ok with us pretending again, but do I really want to keep pretending?
The other day when we almost had sex in our kitchen keeps playing in my head, and being honest, I wish it could have gone further.
"Actually, yes. Russell and I are dating mom."
"Oh, bull. You said you were not seeing anyone. Is it wrong for me to try and get you two back together? You and Craig are perfect together." she rolls her eyes. This whole confrontation was making everyone uneasy.
A crash makes all of us turn towards the pool. One of the big planters' gas fell over, breaking it and making the plant fall.
"Oh great. My plants." mom says irritated rolling her eyes and throwing her hands in the air.
"Oh, calm down. You act as if you take care of them. Those plants were planted by your daughter and Roger. You said you hated having so many plants in the house, remember?" dad says rolling his eyes and turning to grab a few shot glasses and the bottle of Reposado tequila.
"Uhm, boss. I am so sorry. My son was playing with the beach ball and he threw it a little too hard. Can I grab your broom and dustpan from the closet?" Roger, dad's assistant says as he runs inside the house.
Dad chuckles nodding his head, "No worries, Rog, no harm done. You know where it is." he says nodding towards the broom closet by our kitchen.
Mom rolls her eyes again, and we all stay silent for a few seconds while dad keeps casually pouring shots. He takes one to his mouth downing the whole thing and smacking his lips together and grunting as he feels the burn of the alcohol going down his throat.
"Jorge, do as I asked you, please. Put the boy's bags away and come help me take these out to everyone. And you, you bug beluga. I hope you don't misinterpret the situation. Our business is aside from our kids dating in the past. You old man will always have my support." he says looking at Craig's dad who nods his head with a slight smile and gets closer to dad.
"No harm done. As you said, you old scallywag. Now give me one of those." he throws an arm around dad's shoulder chuckling and points to a shot.
They both chuckle as dad grabs two shots, handing him one and both down them together.
Mom looks irritated and disappointed, as Craig's mom does too. And I just know it's going to be a long week, but as l0ng as I have my best friends and the man who is stealing my heart... I think I will be ok.
Craig fists his hands, clenching his jaw as his mom and dad leave with my parents. If looks could kill, I think I'd be dead by now.
He takes a step toward me, but Russell stands in front of me, facing him. "Back off, or you'll really see the other side of me. You heard Sam, she and I are dating now. So I would advise you to stay away from her."
"Or what?" Craig retaliates twisting his head mockingly.
"Or I'll best you until that stupid pretty face if your is unrecognizable."
"You wouldn't dare. Besides, this is all fake, and you two know it. I know you two are not dating." he smirks knowing he's right. God, he probably knows we were lying.
"You sure about that?" Russell says, turning around and pulling me by my waist and crashing his lips on me.
I'm caught off guard, but I can't help but wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back. Our kiss is hot and deepens instantly, making me give him access to invade my mouth. My eyes close and I tighten my hold on his neck as he pulls me closer.
We part gasping for air. He rests his forehead on mine as we both try to regulate our breath.
"Daaaamn... That was hot. You two make a sweet couple you know. I'm happy for you mija," Jorge says making me jump, startled. Jorge is pretty young looking, but he's already in his late thirties. Him and his wife are so funny. I love having them over.
We both look at him as he walks down the stairs. "Take care of her, man. She's a nice girl. You're a lucky guy, dude." he says shaking Russell's hand and walking away with a smile.
Russell and I look at each other and burst into laughter. He looks at me and then pulls me into another kiss, but this time, it's softer, more gentle, but it still sends shivers down my spine.
Too bad we're in my home, because I so badly want him right now.
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