Page 65 of Golden Ruin

“Honey, I’m home,” she announces, and somehow her voice carries over the loud chatter coming from the living room.

One by one, Lex’s family floods the front hall, creating an assembly line as they bring all three of us into tight hugs. But one member is noticeably absent.

Amelia.

“Uncle Sterling!” a voice calls out from my left. I do a double-take, seeing that Luisa and David’s son has grown almost a foot since I last saw him.

“Geez, Robbie! What are they feeding you? You’re almost as tall as I am now.”

A proud grin spreads across his face when he hugs me, but it’s his mom who answers.

“He eats everything,” she says with a laugh, then embraces me next. “Good to have you back.”

She steps away, smirking because she’s notoriously messy.

“I’m not back, exactly. I’m–”

“Sterling! You’re just in time,” Benny calls out as he descends the stairs. “I’m trying to fix this bulb in the upstairs hallway. Think you can give me a hand? My back’s killing me.”

“And you couldn’t have asked David or Zo for help?” Lexi shoots daggers Benny’s way with a single look, but he isn’t shaken.

“Ah, I could’ve, but Sterling’s got the wingspan of a damn pterodactyl. Guy’s practically built for this. Come on,” he says quickly, and I can guess that’s so Lexi doesn’t have time to protest.

“You’re staying for dinner, right?” Elena calls out, and before I can respond…

“Of course, he is,” Lorenzo answers for me. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

Lexi looks like a deer caught in headlights as Benny grabs my shoulders, ushering me toward the stairs, and her mom pulls her toward the kitchen.

I should’ve just stayed in my truck and shot them all a text because, based on the concern in Lexi’s eyes, I’m not sure she’s ready for this.

And if I’m being honest, with how my heart and mind have been betraying me lately, I’m not sure I am either.

*

@QweenPandora

Wait… what year is this? Have we traveled back in time and no one told me?

Several of you lovelies sent in pics of #LostAngel and #MrSilver revisiting the past. Bold move, you two, resuming your ritual of having Sunday dinner at the Mendoza residence. All with your future heartbreaker in tow.

I know #TheSubstitute is technically out of the picture, but you’d think these two would at least pretend they’re still keeping it PG.

But by all means, keep it messy, you two. You’ve got my views going through the roof.

Later, peeps :)

–P

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Lexi

“Are you supposed to be lifting that?”

I roll my eyes, smiling at my mother as she watches me. “Ma, it’s a pitcher of lemonade. I think I’ve got it.”

My reassurance doesn’t erase the look of concern on her face, which I didn’t expect anyway.