Jingle all the Mitchell Way: a holiday novella(12)
“Jake!” my mom was not amused, which in turn only fueled me to want to continue.
My dad couldn’t keep his amusement at bay. He put his hand on Uncle Colt’s shoulder and gave him a playful shove. I smirked before continuing, winking at Noah as I went, who was also annoyed. “Anyway, it’s an opportunity for her to have a chance to work with some big names. Amber thinks she can’t manage the twins and take the offer. She wants to turn it down.”
The yard filled with people giving her their opinions. It became so loud I couldn’t keep explaining.
Amber walked toward me. Her hands were on her hips when she started talking. “Jake, why would you tell them? Jax and I made our decision. The timing is wrong.”
“The timing is right, dear sister-in-law. With this baby here,” I tapped on the motorhome. “You’re going to be able to take the job while coming home to your kids and horny husband each night.”
“What?” Jax came up behind her, the crowd of family members tuning in finally.
“I’ve got a plan. After discussing it with Reese, we’ve decided to go with you. We’ll help Jax with the girls while you’re on set. We’ll do our shopping on the road, and make it back to Kentucky before Santa shows up.”
Jax shook his head and laughed. “You and Reese want to take a road trip across the country with two small children during the holiday season? Have you lost your damn mind?”
I felt confident. “Nope. I’m thinking about what’s best for everyone. It’s got two big bedrooms. We can set the girls up in the living room. You won’t have to haul all your shit in hotel rooms or do without. Everything will be within reach.”
“Whose driving?”
“Me.”
“No, I want to drive. I’ve seen how easily you’re distracted.”
I shook my head and noticed my mother speaking to Amber. “Sweetie, you don’t want to pass up on the opportunity. Traveling with the girls might not be ideal, but you’ll be together. They’re young enough it will be easy. You can stop and see Santa in your travels. Jake and Jax will find plenty to keep them occupied.”
Amber rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t take much. That’s kind of what I’m afraid of.”
“Hey, now. Jake and I will be on our best behavior.” Jax wrapped his arms around his wife, not paying any attention to the crowd of people still standing around. “This is your chance, baby. I think Jake might be onto something. I know your hours will be long, but think about coming home to us every night. We won’t have to spend a night apart, and if we’re lucky, we’ll still be able to spend Christmas with this whole crew.”
Amber finally saw the big picture. “I can’t believe you did this, Jake. You only found out about the movie thing this morning.”
“I know. I spent the good part of it in a sales trailer convincing some old man I was someone he could trust. I figure we’ll give it a try, and if we like it, I’ll proceed with the sale. For now it’s a trial commitment.”
“In other words,” Reese added. “You can’t be reckless. We’ll have to take care of it, or Jake will be responsible.”
“I’m already responsible, Reese. I’ve pretty much signed my name in blood to take it.” She seemed shocked I’d done something without much thought. It wasn’t a frugal choice, but well worth it if we’d get use out of it. If anything we’d use it to go back and forth to Kentucky. “Imagine driving to Kentucky and never having to stop for meals or to take a shit. I thought it would give us something to make memories in.”
“We have a new house payment, and a wedding.”
“What’s another sixty grand, baby?”
I watched my parents mouths drop in shock. Reese looked as if she was going to pass out, while my brother continued to smirk from ear to ear. Knowing him, he’d neglected to hear my comment, only focusing on how he and Amber could screw in each of the rooms before Reese and I would get a chance. Kids didn’t seem to slow my brother down, not when it came to getting his wife in the sack. I couldn’t blame him. He’d been obsessed with her since day one, and I’m pretty sure she was just as smitten. Their quick nuptials didn’t reflect the struggle they both had to realize they belonged together. I think the courthouse approach was a means to an end. Besides, with Amber’s busy modeling schedule, she didn’t have time to sit down and plan a detailed event, like Reese spent most of her free time doing.
With everyone beginning to freeze, our Aunt Savanna gathered up a bunch of the family. “Come on everyone. Let’s get a group picture before going inside. The food will be cold.”
My dad offered another option. “Hold on. I think we need to hear Amber’s answer before we start celebrating. Don’t keep us waiting, hun. Are you going to be the first Mitchell on the big screen?”
Amber was in the spotlight, much like she was used to. She shrugged. “I guess I can’t refuse now. I mean, it’s not every day someone risks his credit score for me to follow my dreams.”
Everyone in the group celebrated with some kind of amused response. Jax stepped forward and took my hand, shaking it with a firm grip. “Dude, this is great. I can’t believe you did this shit.”
“The girls might kill us after a few nights on the road.”