Jingle all the Mitchell Way: a holiday novella(18)

I did as she said, but only because I knew it would pay off if I did. While exiting the small bathroom, I spotted my brother climbing back into the driver’s seat. Since I knew the weather was becoming worse, I felt it necessary to ensure he’d be stopping for the night.

I passed by Reese, walking the ten feet to reach my brother, all the while knowing we weren’t going to be able to get it on with him in such a close proximity to the kitchen bed. “Do you know where you’re going?”

“I’m just going to find a parking lot for the night.” He was looking at the weather app on his phone. “It’s going to be gone in a few hours. We’ll get some sleep and get back on the road after breakfast.”

“Sounds good, bro. I’ll see you on the flipside.”

Just as I was about to climb into the bed I heard my brother saying something loud enough Reese could hear. “Did you tell her about John yet?”

Reese crossed her arms and sat up. “Who is John and what haven’t you told me?”

I sighed and looked in the rearview to see my brother smiling. He knew he’d gotten me into trouble, and he was happy about it. I flipped him the finger before climbing under the covers again with Reese.

“He’s the original owner of this RV.”

“What about him? Do you know him personally?”

“No. I don’t even know his real name. Jax calls him John.”

“Why? What does it matter who owned this thing before you?”

I sighed. She was going to freak out. “He sort of died, babe.”

“Sort of died?”

“In the RV. He had a stroke.”

I could tell by the look on her face that she wasn’t at all okay with me keeping such pertinent information from her. She stood up in bed, her head almost hitting the low ceiling. “Ew. Where did he die? Tell me it wasn’t in bed. I won’t be able to sleep. How could you buy it? It’s just wrong, Jake. I knew this was a bad idea when you ran it by me. I should have told you no. Now you own a dead man’s motorhome. He’s probably planning on haunting us.”

“He’s dead. Calm down. You sound like Jax. It’s not a big deal. People die. His loss is our gain. Look at how much I saved by getting a used motorhome.”

“You mean a haunted motorhome?”

“Give him shit, Reese. I’m up in this driver’s seat with the heebie jeebies. I know John’s watching me.”

I shook my head and pulled Reese back to a sitting position. “Everyone dies. He’s not haunting us. I’d like to think he’s our guardian angel of the road.”

“I think you’ve been hanging out with your brother too long. He’s dementing your beautiful mind.”

“I can hear you,” Jax reminded her.

“I don’t care. It’s true. Jake always makes smart decisions, while you’re the reckless one.”

“Things change, sis,” Jax reminded her. “I’m the married one who has his shit together. Your man is still single, fighting the itch to tie the knot with you. Just think, he might be stalling in case you aren’t the one.”

“Jax, shut the hell up.” I gave Reese a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t listen to him.”

“I never do,” she mumbled with a sigh. “I can’t believe someone died in this RV. It doesn’t freak you out at all?”

“Nope. It’s probably best you don’t tell Amber. She’ll make a big deal about it and end up staying in a hotel.”

“It’s kind of hard to keep something like that a secret. How do you know Jax won’t tell her?”

I whispered so my brother wouldn’t hear me. “Because he’s too worried about his wife leaving him for another man; a famous Hollywood actor.”

She covered her face like she was annoyed. “Oh brother. Give me a break. Is he serious?”

“Yep.” I slid my hand up her shirt, not caring if my brother was catching us fooling around. Reese shoved it back out.

“Don’t. Your brother can see us.”

“Who cares?”

“I do. It’s weird.”

I rolled over and put my arms behind my head. “Fine. I’ll wait until he parks.”

Reese rolled over. “I promised I’d get up with the twins, so I’m going to bed. Good luck with getting some. I’m sure you can watch porn from your phone.”

I chuckled. “Speaking of porn. Did I ever tell you how I told Uncle Colt you did a few movies while in college? I told him I bought this RV so we can take your show on the open road.”

“You what?” A pillow came slamming into my face, but it didn’t stop me from cracking up.

“He believed me too.”

She was not pleased with my banter. “You’re an *. Have fun sleeping alone, Jake. I’m going back to the twin bunks. Don’t follow me either. You’re officially in the doghouse.”

I watched her leave before turning my attention to my brother. He shook his head and pointed to the seat beside him. “Come join me, dude. We’ll sing carols and pretend everything will be fine.”

“I don’t have to pretend. Reese may be mad, but it’s not like I hurt anyone. It was a joke.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” He paused for a second. “So, what’s it going to be? Rudolph or Frosty?”