“It’s a fucking code we use. It means my mother is on her way. She’ll be here in less than ten minutes. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I can promise it’s not good. She can’t find you in my bed; I would prefer to introduce you. Now get up and get dressed- PLEASE!!!”
“Okay, calm down. I’ll get out of here, but first, come here and give me a kiss. I’ll feel much more motivated once I taste you.”
“Did you not hear me? My FUCKING mom is almost here! This is NOT good. If you ever want a taste of me again, you will get dressed and get out there. And pick up any trash too. She’s never been here before.”
He starts laughing and I pick up a flip-flop and throw it at his head. He ducks and puts up his hands in defeat. I shut the bathroom door, but see him put on his jeans before it closes.
When I get into the living room, Declan and Kendall have everything almost normal. There is nothing I can do about the mattress in the middle of the floor, but mom won’t care about that. I run to the kitchen. Finn and Tripp have the coffee started and the dishes are almost put away. The microwave clock tells me it’s 10:00. Not as early as I thought.
“How’d you know she was coming?”
“Robbie has been calling you all morning. He finally got me. Apparently, your mom asked him this morning if he’d seen the video yet. She told him she was on her way here.”
“What video?”
“Not sure, but we’ll find out soon.” He shrugs. I notice he hasn’t put his shirt back on since he woke up.
“I’m going to wake Charlie and Harper so they aren’t surprised. Thanks for everything.”
“No problem, last night was a blast. I have a feeling that Jenna may have words for both of us though. I’m staying a while.”
That’s just the way Finn is. He always has my back and he knows how to handle my mom. I’m not sure what could’ve set her off, but I don’t have time to worry about it. I open the door and see Charlie and Harper sprawled out at opposite ends of the bed.
I shake the first appendage I find. “Hey girls, I hate to wake you up but we got warning that my mom’s on her way here. She’ll be here any minute.” She grunts, but I’m not sure which one I woke up.
I’m on my way to the other bedroom when the doorbell rings. I take off running towards the door so I can be the one to greet my mom.
I notice everyone has found a spot in the living room and it looks like a bunch of friends are watching the news together over coffee. I smile at them and mouth a silent “thank you”.
I open the door and immediately notice that my mom is not happy. She’s dressed casually, but still has her hair and make-up done. She is stunning and intimidating at the same time. I got my dark hair and blue eyes from my mother, but I don’t think I could ever pull off her level of sophistication.
I see her assistant, Jenny, behind her. What the hell is going on?
“Hey, Mama, what a surprise. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”
They breeze into the house and take a look around at the surroundings.
“Hey, Mrs. Hayes, how ya doing?” Kendall asks as she’s lounging on the couch.
“Hello Kendall, we missed you at the gala.”
This is good; if my mom is making casual conversation then things can’t be too bad.
Mom looks at me and then directly at Finn, “I need to speak to Ravenel and Finn for a few minutes in private.” She announces to the room, but I know the effect is for me alone.
I turn and lead my mom to the kitchen.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“What I want is to know what the hell went on last night?” She practically yells at us. Then she points to Finn, “Did you know what was going on? Was she with you?”
“Jenna, calm down. I was there the whole time and the place was solid.”
“Is this what you two call “laying low”? There’s a video on the internet that’s playing the whole show. They even identified Raven by her full name.”
“Mama, calm down. We just wanted to dance and it was a new place. We were safe. And I don’t know what video you are talking about. We didn’t record it.”
She blows out a breath, “Honey, someone did and put it on the internet. How can you remain anonymous when you and your band of misfits show up to a dance club? It brings attention to you.”