You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(24)

Arsen paused for a moment before he answered. “I sell weed.” He took a deep breath and waited for the disapproval.

My dad flinched. He processed his words for a moment before he regained his bearings. “I see…”

The tension settled.

Arsen stayed quiet.

Dad rubbed the back of his neck. “I assume this is temporary?” He turned to Arsen.

“Yeah,” Arsen answered.

Mom released the breath she was holding. “Okay.” Then she looked at me, silently threatening to kill me if I even thought about trying weed.

“I knew a lot of kids growing up who were dealers just to get by until their other plans fell through,” Dad said. “So, I hope this isn’t your career.”

“It’s not,” Arsen said.

“Okay.” Dad relaxed. “Do you involve my daughter with your business?”

“No,” Arsen said quickly. “She didn’t even realize what I did until I told her. I never bring her around my profession.”

Dad’s shoulders became less tense. “You must make a killing then.”

Arsen raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “I do alright.”

“Do you keep the plants in the house with artificial light?” Dad asked.

Mom narrowed her eyes at him. “You sure know a lot about weed…”

Arsen continued. “I grow it in my spare bedroom. It’s easier to contain and hide from my neighbors.”

“Be careful,” Dad said.

Arsen shot me an apprehensive look, wondering if it was really that easy.

“What else do you do?” Dad asked.

Arsen shrugged. “I like to cruise on my Harley.”

“Seriously?” Dad asked. “You have one?”

Arsen smirked. “Yeah.”

“Awesome,” Dad said. “I’ve always wanted an Indian. Those things are sweet.”

“You got a wife and kids to think about,” Mom reminded him.

“You never let me forget,” Dad jabbed.

“You don’t ride it, do you, honey?” my mom asked with fearful eyes.

“Sometimes,” I said.

“She always wears a helmet,” Arsen added. “And I’m a good driver.”

My mom looked like she might have a heart attack.

“Stop being a drama queen,” Dad said.

“Your daughter rides on the back of a motorcycle!”

“Arsen said he drives safe,” Dad said.

She rolled her eyes. “You need to stop being friends with your kids and start being a parent.”

“Oh, here we go.” Dad rolled his eyes. “Mom hates the fact you kids like me more than her.”

“Well, you’re cool,” Slade said. “Mom is just a control freak.”

“I like you, Mom,” I said.

She smiled. “Well, thank you, honey. But please be careful on that bike.”

“I wouldn’t let anything happen to her,” Arsen said. He gave me a fond look then turned away.

“Baby, you need to live a little bit,” Dad said. “I can get shanked at work at any point in time. You could get hit by a cab and die. The world is a scary place, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying it.”

“Excuse my husband,” Mom said. “He’s a bit of a hippie.”

“I like it,” Arsen said. “You guys go well together—balance each other.”

“If Mom and Dad divorced, I’d live with Dad,” Slade said.

Dad looked like he might strangle him. “Don’t ever say that again.”

Slade immediately backed off. “Sorry…only joking.”

My parents argued like crazy but they were always on the same side. Sometimes their bickering was annoying, but at the end of the day, it was clear they loved each other.

“Thank you.” Mom gave him a gentle smile.

“You and me until the end, baby.” He leaned across the table and gave her a quick kiss.

“Gross,” Slade mumbled.

“Your family was willing to spare you for the holidays?” Mom looked at Arsen.

Arsen hid the pain that question caused. “Yes, reluctantly.” He added a smile to make it more believable.

“I’m glad you’re here with us.” She patted his hand.

Arsen flinched at the affection. “Thank you…”

“You got any tattoos?” my dad blurted.

Arsen eyed him, considering the question. “No.”

“Oh.” Dad sounded disappointed. “I run a shop in the city. Well, two now.”

“That’s so cool,” Arsen blurted.

“I like it.” My dad shrugged, being humble. “And my son wants to take over the family business.”

“I was born into it,” Slade said.

“How long have you been doing that?” Arsen asked.

“Since I graduated high school.”

“Cool.” Arsen nodded. “What do you do, Janice?”

“She’s a hot-shot at a publishing house. She’s the junior CEO now,” Dad explained. “She’s a college girl.” He gave her a fond look before he dropped it.

“That’s cool too,” Arsen said.