Bender (The Core Four #1)(69)

Sarah had already jumped out, and she was racing up the path to the front door. “Don’t touch anything!” I shouted to her.

Camden put his arm around me and kissed my cheek. “It’s not a museum Keegan. My parents are cool, promise.”

Just as he spoke, someone opened the front door. I was looking at a younger version of Dodger; black hair and bright caramel colored eyes. He was tall but leaner than both Dodger and Camden. He came walking down the steps with a broad grin on his face. He approached Camden, and they clapped hands and pulled each other into an embracing hug.

“Hey little bro, good to see you.”

“You too.” They both stood back and beamed. When those eyes shifted to me, I got a quick once over. “Nice arm candy, dude. You going to introduce me?”

Camden rolled his eyes and shoved his shoulder. “She’s not arm candy asshole. Wrig, this is Keegan. Keegan, this is my youngest brother Wrigley.”

I held out my hand, which he took. “So nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is definitely all mine.” He smirked and wagged his eyebrows.

“Give it a rest little man. She ain’t interested.”

“Says who? Seems good looks run in your family. Where’s the oldest brother, I need to see my options,” I retorted.

Camden narrowed his eyes at me. “Keegan,” he said in warning.

“Well, I’m just saying… who says you’re the brother for me? Macie may have one of you but that leaves me with three—” I was cut off. Camden hoisted me over his shoulder and slapped my ass. I squealed, “Put me down! I can’t meet your mother like this.”

“Sure you can, she’ll love you.”

“But I’m upside-down. Come on Camden, my hair is going to be a mess.”

“You’re still beautiful.” He strode toward the door. I heard Wrigley chuckling behind us.

“Camden Mason Brooks, what are you doing to that poor girl?” a lovely sing-song voice chimed.

“Oh hey Mom. I’m just trying to teach a lesson.”

I was going to kill him. “Do you really have to be such a caveman? I swear you’re more like your father every day.”

“That’s not a bad thing.” He seemed pleased with himself. “Mom, I want you to meet my friend and roommate, Keegan.” He spun me around so when I pushed up with my hands against his back I could look up at her.

She nearly took my breath away. I was looking at a flawless porcelain doll. The boy’s mom was more petite that I would have imagined. Definitely shorter than my five-foot-three stature. She had long brown hair that she curled at the ends, deep brown eyes that matched Camden’s, and the softest features I think I’ve ever seen. Although it was kind of hard to tell from this angle. She gave me a welcoming smile that eased some of my discomfort.

Holding out her hand she said, “Hi, I’m Donna. So nice to finally meet you.”

At least she seemed amused at her son’s playfulness. I shook it and returned the greeting. It wasn’t lost on me that two things have been said that made me take pause. For starters Camden introduced me as his friend. I realized that we hadn’t put a label on whatever this was, but I assumed we’d surpassed the friend category. And second, what has he told her about me? Her use of the word ‘finally’ rang in my ears, so he must have told her something regarding me. None of this sounded promising.

“Cam put her down, and come give me a hug.” She patted his arm.

He set me down, and I tried to comb my hair back in place with my fingers. Seriously? Great first impression, Keegan, just wonderful. The hug that he gave his mother was reverent and loving. I could tell in the tenderness that he showed her that he loved his mom very much. I liked that. Boys who loved and respected their mothers always scored points in my book. When she let him go, she smiled back at me and gestured toward the house.

“Please, come in. Your friend Macie is in the game room with my husband Paul.”

“Oh God, is Dad showing her his dirt collection?”

I looked at him strangely. “Dirt collection?”

Donna took my arm and started leading me into the house. I glanced back at Camden who was now walking beside his brother, and he shrugged. “Cam has told you about all of my boys being named after baseball fields right?” I nodded. “Okay, well we are a baseball loving family, and we try to go to as many games as we possibly can all over the nation. My husband likes to be a rebel and climb down over the wall when a game is over, after most people have left, and collect dirt from the field.”

“Has he ever gotten in trouble for doing something like that?”

I heard snickering behind me. “Dad’s not as limber as he used to be,” Wrigley responded. “There was a game where the Cubs were playing the Cardinals, and he couldn’t get himself back over the wall. Mom was screaming at us to help him up before security caught him.”

I giggled. “Oh I could have killed him,” Donna said in an irritated voice.

Stepping inside the house was like walking inside a country chic store. Everywhere I looked were little touches of rustic wood, faded paint on furniture, and antiques. It certainly wasn’t like a museum at all. It smelled of cooking turkey, baked apple pie, and cinnamon. It was inviting, like a home should be. Camden stepped forward and placed his hand on my lower back to show me which way to go. Donna took the pies from him and went to the kitchen to keep cooking. I’d offered to help, but she shooed me away.