Page 31 of Mr. Green (Mr. #2)

Lana

T he training session with Jason went by quick.

I’ve been lifting heavier than in our previous sessions.

He reiterates every session that lifting heavy won’t make me look like I’m on steroids.

I was skeptical at first, but trust him.

Once he took my measurements, I’ve got complete faith.

I’ve lost two inches in my waist and one inch on my thighs.

Seeing that I’ve made progress, gives me more motivation to continue.

Losing five pounds helps too. Overall, I’m starting to feel good about my body again.

Endorphins and fresh air are playing a big part, I’m sure.

Queenie and I load into my car, on the way to my parents’ house.

They live close, about seven minutes from my place.

I don’t know why I don’t visit more often.

I get caught up in my own world of being alone.

Growing up, I just wanted to do my own thing in a place I was seen.

I always had to fight for attention with two brothers and two sisters, and being the youngest, I’d usually get it. It wasn’t without effort, though.

I let out a deep breath as I pull up to the driveway and see my older brother, Josh, is here.

He was the one watching out for all of us growing up.

He’s protective in nature, being the big brother.

He stops by once a week to check in with my parents and help them with anything they need around the house.

He likes food a lot—a family trait. My mom was always in the kitchen cooking something when we were young.

She showed me many of her tricks, so that’s probably why I enjoy cooking.

The home is a simple, two-story suburban house that looks like all the rest on the street.

It has a manicured lawn, decent backyard, and plenty of trees.

I walk into the small entryway where stairs greet me.

Faces of our family from years past stare back from their enclosed frames.

There are plants everywhere, but that’s the only sign of life.

Everything else is beige or white. My parents are a fan of simplicity.

I never understood why they had five kids.

My mom must’ve heard the door. She comes walking over to me in a maxi dress as her wide hips sway from side to side. My mom is on the curvier side and is the most beautiful woman I know. Her hair is down in waves just like mine when I leave it down, but hers is shorter—cut above her shoulders.

“ My little one!” She wraps me in a hug and plasters me with lipstick-stained kisses.

“Hey, Mom.” I hug her back, perfume consuming my nostrils. It may be a bit too much, but it’s my mom and the scent is comforting.

“Everything okay? What’s going on?” she whispers.

Now I know why I only come here when I want to be babied. My parents still treat me like I’m twelve. Right now it’s what I need.

It feels like nothing has changed. Everything in the house looks the same. The familiarity is nice, with her perfume of roses invading my senses.

I pull away to look at her. “I’m okay, Mom. How have you guys been?” I plaster a small smile on my face.

“Oh, same old, same old. Your dad and brother are in the backyard barbequing.”

“Okay, cool. I didn’t know Josh was going to be here tonight.”

“He pops in whenever it’s convenient for him. You know your brother.” She swishes her hand.

“Yup.” Josh is going to know something is wrong right away. He’s also going to freak out if I don’t tell him about Grant. Of course talking with him could just complicate things with Grant and I. I’m not sure Grant is going to stay with me yet, so there’s no reason to get Josh involved.

I make a club soda and vodka with lemon and then make my way up to my room to put my things away.

My parents may have kept the bottom half of the house the same, but they have turned most of the bedrooms into something else.

One is a workout room, the other an office.

I head to the spare room that has all of our baby things stuffed into the closet.

My mom put together a box for each of us and she plans to give it to all of us once we’re married.

I don’t know why we have to be married, but family was always emphasized as the most important thing in life growing up.

If they had it their way, I would’ve been married to the first guy who looked at me and popping out a hundred kids. They’re nuts.

My phone pings—a text popping through. I put my stuff down and then read the message.

Grant: Hey, Sunshine! I miss your beautiful face. Video call me when you can.

He’s cute.

He already left me.

Stop thinking like that.

I can’t call him right now. I’ll go say hi to my family and then call him after dinner.

I head downstairs to the backyard, finding Queenie sniffing around.

She’s been here before during my trip to Hawaii and knows the house already.

I take a deep breath before I open the door.

My dad is either going to make me feel really good or make me cry.

If I start crying, my brother is going to grill me on the spot.

I can’t cry right now even though I want to.

I open the sliding glass door and walk out. My dad’s face and brown eyes light up when he sees me. He drops what he’s doing to come wrap me in a hug.

“Lana! How is my little one?” My dad asks as I lean into his embrace. His light gray scruff on his chin pricking the top my head. He’s average height with light gray hair and a small belly forming.

Keep it together Lana !

“I’m fine, Dad. How are you?”

“Well I get to see some of my kids today, so I’m pretty good.”

I give him a small smile. “You see your kids all the time. They can’t stay away from you guys for some reason.”

“One of them stays away too long,” he proclaims as he squeezes me tighter.

It’s so tempting to stay in his arms, hide my face and let the tears release, but Josh is right here. His dark brown eyes scrutinizing my face as he holds a beer in his hand with a tattoo sleeve working all the way up to his shoulder. I blink multiple times and pull away.

My dad holds my shoulders and makes eye contact with me. “How are you really? You always come here when you don’t feel yourself.”

He’s not wrong. After Ryan left, I stayed at their house for months. I needed the babying and constant reassurance. My friends offered to stay with me, but I felt like I needed the security my parents bring.

I put on my best smile. “I’m okay. Just wanted to see you guys.”

“Lana, don’t lie to me. Do you need me to go beat someone up? I’ll send Josh.”

The insinuation makes me laugh. At least my tears aren’t at the brink of falling anymore.

Josh thinks he’s tough, but when it comes down to it, he’s a lot of talk.

Like one of those Chihuahuas that barks and barks, but never actually goes after the big dog.

Josh talks a lot of shit, but would never hurt a fly.

“Hey! You better not be laughing at me,” Josh threatens, puffing out his chest and standing erect. He’s tall—six foot four—but he’s not intimidating me.

“I would never.” I put my hand over my heart. “I promise I’m doing fine. I just wanted to see you.”

“We’re here.” My dad shrugs and looks around. “You staying the night?”

“Yeah, just one. Maybe I’ll go home tomorrow afternoon. ”

“Okay, princess. Dinner should be ready soon. You’ll never guess what happened to your mother and I at the store of all places.”

“What happened?” My eyes widen as I give him my full attention.

“I lost her.”

Josh and I start cracking up

“What do you mean you lost her?” I ask.

“I was in the grocery store circling around, but couldn’t find her for at least ten minutes. I’m going to have to put some sort of alarm on her the next time we go. I had to ask one of the clerks to page your grown-ass mother in the store to come up to the front. The woman is ridiculous.”

Josh and I start laughing again. Pain shoots through my cheeks from smiling so much. Suddenly, my mom comes out of the house waving a spatula around. The sight makes my cheeks hurt further.

“Oh, no, you don’t, Paul! I was searching for you for twenty minutes and then I hear an announcement over the speakers about someone looking for me. My friends heard my name called! I’ve never been so embarrassed!” She hides her face in the hand holding the spatula.

“Rose, I couldn’t find you! What would you have me do? Keep going in circles for all of eternity?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what I expect,” she deadpans. “I couldn’t believe it. I hear ‘Rose Love, please come to the front,’ over the speaker and Janine was there! She’s going to think we couldn’t pay our bill or something.”

“Don’t worry about that rat face. You shouldn’t even be friends with her. She’s a snake.”

“I have to be friends with her. She’s on the homeowner’s association.”

My parents continue bickering while Josh and I keep smiling to one another. Then my dad goes over to my mom, holding her with his arms around her waist. He whispers in her ear and she giggles. They give each other a kiss and look at one another with a knowing grin.

I’ve always thought it was weird that they are so lovey- dovey, but I appreciate it now. They really love each other. They made a home with people they can share it with. It feels good to be here. It makes me want a home like they have so badly. Except I’ll add color—lots of color.

As if they can hear my thoughts, my mom asks me, “Lana, have you found a cute guy yet? Time is ticking, you know.”

“Mom, I’m twenty-eight. I have plenty of time.” I roll my eyes.

“A family takes a while to get together. There’s always a long engagement. You’ll want to explore each other for a little while and then babies!” She claps her hands together like a freak.

“What if I just stay single and mingle for the rest of my life?” I smirk.

“That’s not funny, Lana.” My mom puts her hands on her hips.