I’m sure I’ll hate Cricket after she calls me a hobbit. I’ve hated people for less. Then she goes and surprises me while we’re setting the table. I’d been barely listening to the inside jokes between Chipper, Poet, and her until she calls my name and returns me to the conversation.
“Most people in town will treat you right,” she says before leaning closer. “But some women around here won’t appreciate you taking Cap off the market. My angelic brother hasn’t a clue these bitches exist, and he won’t think to warn you, but they’re always plotting to steal his giant heart. No offense to your legendary biker father’s stink, but the name Johansson doesn’t mean shit around here. Those hoes might fuck with you, and if they do, you don’t need to go at them alone. Now, I know all about your brass knuckles,” she says, waving her hand dismissively, “and how you’re a ball-busting badass. That’s fine and well, but you’re my baby brother’s bitch, and that makes you special to me.”
Cricket stops talking to check on Magnus who hollers triumphantly over something only he understands. Once she knows the baby is fine, she looks at me again.
“No one fucks with my family, so you just let me know if anyone gives you grief. Even if something just feels off, feel free to ask me. I’ll let you know the score with the women around here. I had to do the same shit when Chipper fell in love with Tatum. Can you even imagine someone wanting to fuck with that sweet pea? Gotta be a fucking monster to pick on her especially since Tatum’s mom had just recently died and she was all alone in the world before Chipper. No, I wasn’t letting them mess with Tatum, and I won’t let them mess with you even if your family is alive, and you can kick ass.”
“Thank you,” is all I can say since Cricket has a way of making her niceness seem fake. I suspect it’s because she doesn’t use that skill very often.
“No worries, little one.”
“I’m not little.”
“You’re not big, though. You do understand that, right?”
“Your family is just very tall.”
“It’s true my mother is on the taller side,” Cricket says, glancing outside where Candy brushes the dog. “Can’t imagine Dad falling so hard for a smaller woman, but then you went and snagged my little bro’s heart. It’s the most precious thing to see him in love. A little gross, sure, but mostly adorable beyond belief.”
I stare at her, unable to think of anything to say. She’s thrown me completely off my game. Just minutes earlier, I wanted to sneak up and punch her in the back of the head in the same way Pop always wants to do with Hayes. Now Cricket’s behaving like a protective older sister.
“You have beautiful children,” is the best I can come up with under the circumstances.
“I know. They take after their daddy. Isn’t he the sexiest bastard ever?” she asks, basking in his beauty.
Frowning, I’m not sure the right answer. So I go with the honest one. “No. Cap is.”
Cricket focuses her gaze at me and narrows it. “Good answer. I can’t have my future sister-in-law hot for my man. We’re not trailer trash, you know?”
“I know.”
“Do you, though?”
“Yes. You’re something for sure, but it’s not trailer trash.”
Grinning, Cricket turns toward the adjoining kitchen. “I like her, Cap. She’s feisty. Like Bianca Bella but without the world-weary bullshit.”
Hearing the name of Cap’s first crush puts me on edge, but his smile disarms my lousy mood. I know he likes having me surrounded by the people he loves. Unlike how I felt when we were in Ellsberg, Cap doesn’t seem to care if his family wants me around. Rather than stressing first impressions, he’s content to have everyone special to him in one place.
Well, not everyone. I still need to meet Keanu tomorrow. That’s another first impression to get done before I can start calling White Horse home.