Cricket and Bianca Bella scare the squirts out of me. Beautiful, confident, and cool, they’re exactly the kind of girls who made me feel worthless back in school. I never knew what to say to them, and I’m not sure how to react to Cricket. Especially considering she seems to be messing with me to get her brother’s goat.
Talking to the twins is so much easier because they just want me to ask questions so they can answer them. I’m their favorite person two minutes after we meet, and they’re desperate to show me their bedroom.
Poet suggests we go inside where it’s warm, and the mini-twins immediately take my hands and tug me toward the arched front door. I enter Cricket’s southwest-style house, past a surprisingly cozy kitchen, and through a living room complete with a Kiva fireplace like I’d seen on HGTV.
While I walk down a hallway with the mini-twins, Chipper remains with the adults in the living room. Before I’m too far to hear them, I catch Cricket and Bianca Bella talking about how blonde I am.
Once in their room, Minnow and Murphy show me their LEGOs and bunk beds.
“We sleep here,” Minnow says, patting the bottom full-size mattress. “I don’t wanna fall.”
“No, it’s too high. I wouldn’t want to fall either,” I say while Murphy shows me his talking bear.
I could literally remain in this room with these children for hours. I’m safe with kids. Even the bratty ones make sense to me. I understand how powerlessness feels, so their tantrums don’t faze me. Adults, though, hide their true emotions better, lie effortlessly, and lash out randomly.
“Loveys,” Poet says from the doorway, and the mini-twins immediately turn toward him. “I know Tatum’s fun, but why don’t you let her play with the rest of us too?”
Murphy stands between his father and me. “No, thank you.”
Seeing her brother’s power play, Minnow joins him. I get a very strong “Children of the Damned” vibe. Poet leans against the doorjamb and grins at them.
“I can call for backup and make this a fair fight.”
The mini-twins look at each other and then back at me. I know better than to get into the war of wills they’re fighting with their father. I remain very still, neither siding with them nor helping Poet. The mini-twins look at each other again and then turn to take my hands.
“We’re going to the living room,” Murphy says as they tug me toward the door. “Dad wants to share.”
Poet grins at the mini-twins’ defeat before stepping out of the way so they can lead me to where their mother and uncle sit in the living room. My gaze immediately locks onto Chipper’s.
“She’s our friend,” Murphy tells his mom.
“Your uncle likes her too.”
“She’s our friend,” Minnow says, and another little power struggle ensues but this time with Cricket.
“You can’t keep her,” Cricket says. “She won’t fit in the dog carrier.”
The kids giggle, but Chipper tugs me away from them. “She’s mine. I won’t share her.”
“Mine!” Murphy yells and wraps his arms around Chipper’s leg. “Minnow, get him!”
Laughing, his sister grabs Chipper’s other leg. I step back, wondering if these people are playing or are they not all a hundred percent sane. If Chipper’s actually nuts, his interest in me would make a lot of sense.
“The horror,” Chipper moans. “I guess I’ll have to share you, Tatum. It’s not like I can win a fight against these critters.”
The laughing mini-twins keep hold, using his feet to balance themselves while he stomps around the room. I stop thinking about the fancy house or Cricket watching me or the smell of something yummy cooking in the kitchen. My entire thought process narrows down to the sight of Chipper playing with his niece and nephew.
Then I see a flash of him with different children—our kids—and I get an inviting, almost familiar sensation in my chest. The way I felt on Christmas after presents were opened and Mom and I finished eating breakfast. We would cuddle on the couch, looking at the tree and listening to holiday music. That amazing feeling—the one making my heart beat too fast and skin flush too hot—means family. I lost the only person who mattered to me, but here’s someone new to wrap my heart around.
Though he’s a goof with the mini-twins, Chipper also looks unbearably sexy. His tall frame easily maneuvers around the living room, giving the kids a fun ride before they finally topple dramatically.
“Bad horse,” Cricket tells Chipper. “You’re not supposed to buck them off like that.”
“Shut up, Ma, and entertain your younglings while I plant a sloppy one on my woman.”
Growing accustomed to my lust, I instinctively lick my lips in anticipation. Chipper doesn’t grab me and kiss me into submission. He moves slowly, a cat playing with its prey. Seeing his cocky smile, I instinctively step back.
“Nope,” he says, wrapping an arm around me and curling me into his body. “Where can you hide from me?” he asks menacingly. “These insane people won’t help you. No, you’re all alone in a house filled with crazies.”
“Like the girl in ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’”
“Yes, but she got away,” he whispers and nips my ear. “And you never will.”
“Why are you trying to freak me out?”
“I’m testing how much of my family’s cuckoo you can stand. Like what is your limit? That way, I can teach them, and myself, not to cross it.”
Feeling brave, I slide my arms around his waist and smile an inch from his lips. “I’m tougher than my recent behavior would have you believe.”
“I know, even though we’re still figuring each other out. This is the fun part, and I don’t want anything, not even me, to fuck it up.”
“Then stop acting like a nutjob and kiss me already.”
Chipper’s lips lock onto mine. His tongue quickly deepens the kiss, tasting me so completely that I’m soon an extension of him. Lust crashes down on me, followed by that safety I only knew with my mother.
When he pulls away, I stare into his rich brown eyes, brimming with mischievous amusement. No words come to mind. I’m hollowed out, devoid of fear or sorrow. I’m even past my amazement at this sexy beast wanting me. I’ve landed squarely into the kind of bliss no food, booze, or drug can offer. I’m officially addicted to Chipper Wilburn.