Real Sexy (Real Dirty Duet #2)(30)

I huff out a laugh. "You make me sound like an ungrateful bitch."

"No, not at all. More like a proud, independent woman. And considering that's what my ma is, you'll get along just fine." 

A hint of relief works its way through my system. I've never done the meet the parents thing, but I have to believe his mom is the biggest hurdle. "Tell me about everyone else again."

Boone drops one hand from the steering wheel and reaches across to thread his fingers through mine before he speaks.

"My dad's a small-engine mechanic. He has his own shop and repairs mowers, lawn tractors, chain saws, generators, basically anything with a small engine. My brother was a mechanic in the service, and when he got out, he went into business with Dad. They've expanded into boats, ATVs, dirt bikes, and stuff like that too. It's a nice business, and they both make a good living. Wendy, my brother's wife, manages a dental office in town. She started out as a hygienist but found she liked being the office manager more than having her hands in people's mouths. She and Grant have a little boy named Kyle. He's five, and cool as shit."

I can't help but smile at the love that's clear from Boone's tone. His family sounds so completely normal.

"I've got a dirt bike for him for Christmas that's going to piss Wendy off something fierce, but I know he's going to love it. He already tears it up on the little four-wheeler I got him."

"You bought your five-year-old nephew a dirt bike? Are you serious?"

He nods. "I started riding when I was six. Figured he could have an early start."

"Six? You were riding a dirt bike at six?"

"Yeah. We didn't have a lot of money, but Dad had a customer trade him two little dirt bikes to fix a few lawn tractors for his yard-care business. Dad got 'em running, and Ma didn't object. It was my favorite thing to do growing up. My brother and I would head out to the trails and ride for hours."

I could picture a younger Boone doing daredevil stunts on the back of a dirt bike. It's a miracle he's still alive.

"I've got a track out in the back forty at home. I'll teach you when we get back."

"Um, I'm going to take a hard pass."

Boone winks at me. "We'll start you riding the ATV by yourself and work up from there."

I roll my eyes and ask another question. "Is your brother older or younger?"

"Grant's two years older. He joined up when he was eighteen, and when they sent him off to boot camp, I went down to the recruiter's office with a fake ID and tried to sign up too."

"No way."

"Sure did. They tossed my ass out and kept my fake."

"Is that what you wanted to do? Join the service?"

"Dad's a vet. Granddad served. Then when Grant did, it just seemed like I should continue the Thrasher family tradition."

It's not hard to picture Boone in a uniform or camo fatigues. Actually, I probably shouldn't picture him that way because I guarantee he'd look even hotter than he already does.

"Did you try again when you turned eighteen, or were you already dead set on making it in Nashville?"

"This is where I have to say fate stepped in. When I went back on my eighteenth birthday with my real ID, the recruiter took one look at me and knew exactly who I was. He told me he respected the balls it took to try to get in early, but I wasn't cut out for the Army if I wanted to take shortcuts like that. He sent me home."

"For real?" I'm stunned. I figured they'd be thrilled to have him.

"Dead serious."

I know there has to be more to the story, but Boone releases my hand to make a sharp right turn.

"We're almost there. Another couple miles."

Again, the apprehension I felt earlier is back. "What did your mom say when you told her you were coming home?"



       
         
       
        

Boone slows at a stop sign and looks over at me. "Didn't tell her. Figured I'd surprise her, which is way more fun."

"You didn't tell her?" I ask, my voice going up an octave. I feel like Esteban, repeating part of everything he says.

"Nah. She's been after me to come home, so she's probably partly expecting it."

My anxiety and apprehension kick into overdrive, and Boone must realize I'm silently freaking the hell out.

"Ripley, it's gonna be fine. They'll be excited to see me and thrilled to meet you."

"Why would you assume that?"

Boone turns to me and says simply, "Because you make me happy."





21





Boone





Driving into my hometown with Ripley in the front seat of my truck is a lot different than the first and only time I brought Amber to meet my folks. We were in an Escalade driven by her security, because she didn't think it would look impressive enough if we drove ourselves.