Brandon laughed. His brother was a dick, and Brandon couldn’t wait for karma to give him a mate. It would be so fun to watch.
“I won. Oh yeah, oh yeah.”
Brandon looked up at his mate jumping up and down and dancing around. Jezebel swung her hips as she made her way over to him. “I won. I never win. Is it weird if I wish my brothers were here so I could tell them?” Jezebel’s eyes grew bright. “I think I should play games like this when they’re down for Christmas. I’d love to kick their butts like I did your brothers.”
Britney giggled. “You did good, Jezebel. You even pushed our parents off their winning streak. I think next week you should be my partner.”
He stood and wrapped his arms around Jezebel’s waist. “Nope, she’s mine forever. Find your own champion.” Jezebel sighed and leaned back into him, her hands holding his arm.
“No, thank you. I don’t want a mate for a very long time. I’m already surrounded by too much testosterone.” Britney smiled at Jezebel. “I have no idea how Jess can handle being around so much. Aren’t your closest friends males?”
He felt Jezebel shrug against him. “I think I’m missing some girly genes. I find girls harder to be around. Boys are straightforward and say it like it is. But to each their own, I suppose.”
Britney studied his mate for a while before she nodded and walked away. Brandon knew what Jezebel meant. Girls, women, could be nasty, conniving, and spiteful. Usually men and boys didn’t gossip, and if they fought it was a punch up and we’re friends or okay after. Women didn’t seem like that.
“Are you ready to go?” Brandon turned her so she faced him.
“Yes, I just want to thank your parents. I had fun. Thanks for inviting me.”
He leaned down and gave her a feather light kiss. “You’re family now. I’m glad you had fun. Come on. I think my parents are sulking in the kitchen eating cake.”
Brandon took her hand, and they walked hand in hand to say goodbye and good night to his parents. He was happy with how tonight had turned out. Jezebel had fit in just perfectly with his family.
Chapter Seven
By Friday Jess knew she had to have a Brandon-free afternoon. Travis and Zeck had the major shits with her. Jess didn’t blame them. She’d be cranky if they did to her what she was doing to them.
The table they sat at for lunch was a lot bigger now. Britney, Mac, Sasha, and a couple of their friends sat with them. Surprisingly Travis and Zeck were enjoying having them. They got into heated debates and generally goofed around.
Travis and Zeck had asked her to go with them Thursday to get some Christmas presents, but she’d had to decline because she’d gone to family night with Brandon. Jess had promised she would spend time with them tonight.
Last night had been a new experience. She’d had fun at family games night with Brandon’s family. Sasha and Savron had been there, and it was the first time Jess had seen them together since the night she’d met Brandon. Jess knew Savron picked Sasha up from school, but now that Jess went with Brandon when she wasn’t at drama she didn’t see them together. Last night though they’d been there. Sasha had looked happy, and they hadn’t kept their hands off each other.
Jess had just messaged Brandon as they walked out of class to remind him she was spending tonight with her friends. Jess was staying at Travis’s house. They were having a horror movie night starting with Freddy Krueger, and then moving on to Jason movies.
Zeck’s arm came around her shoulders. “I’m looking forward to a movie night tonight. I’m happy to have two weeks off school for Christmas and New Year even more.”
Travis came up beside her. “Yeah, I need the time off. You know how my family gets over Christmas. They all come together at my parents’ house and become crazy.” Travis glanced down at her. “You are still coming to Christmas lunch? My family is on their best behavior when you’re around. My mother loves you like you were her own daughter.”
Over the last few years since her brothers had started bringing girlfriends for Christmas lunch and dinner, Jess had learned to stay away. After having a couple of girlfriends tease her and be all-round bitches, causing problems and making things uncomfortable, Jess made sure that at Christmas she was scarcely at her house. For the last two years had gone to Travis’s house. Jess loved Travis’s parents. His mother spoiled her rotten.
“Of course, I love Christmas at your house. Isn’t your sister due for your second niece or nephew any day?”
“Yeah, any day now. Mom will take little Ben when she goes into labor. I hope Tessa lasts until after Christmas. This year Ben is old enough to know what Santa is and enjoy all that goes with Christmas, but if the baby brother or sister comes before Christmas all the attention will be on the baby.”