Page 25 of Mr. Naughty List

He dropped into the chair closest to her desk without another glance at the upholstery and smiled. He hoped it was a winning one, but given how the morning was going, he had his doubts. “Yes, Mom?”

The new logcabin that Casey and Joel were building on Joel’s property by the lake had taken slow but sure shape over the last year. RJ had been privy to update photos by text all during his last tour.

When RJ hopped out of his mom’s car and waved his family off, he barely turned in time to intercept the greetings of Bruno, Joel and Casey’s pitbull rescue dog, before he could be knocked down by all that enthusiastic muscle.

The trailer Casey and Joel lived in while they built their dream home was decorated for Christmas. Lights were strung along the edges and gutters, a multicolored Christmas tree blinked by the front stoop, poinsettias rested on the stairs to the door, and a giant Blow Glow nativity set was arranged near the road so everyone passing by could see it. Like at Mom and Doug’s, it was full-on Christmas at the Vreeland/Stevens’s household. Unsurprising since Joel owned a home and garden store. It made sense that he’d indulge in his own wares.

The dodgy van Joel had scored to use as an equipment vehicle for the band, an older SUV, and a new Nissan LEAF all sat in the driveway area. RJ hoped Casey’s parents weren’t visiting. He’d never been the Stevens’s biggest fan. And the feeling had been more than reciprocated. Though they seemed to loathe him a little less now that they thought he had connections to famous people and big money. Casey’s folks had always loved connections and cash.

“Hey! How’s it going?” RJ called out when Casey opened the door to his and Joel’s trailer to check out who or what had Bruno so riled up in the yard.

Casey grinned. “It’s going okay. Bruno, down!”

The dog ignored him entirely. “You got visitors?” RJ asked, nodding toward the extra car as he contended with Bruno’s slobbery love.

“No.” Casey whistled for Bruno, who continued to jump and lick at RJ. “Long story.”

“Cool. How goes the wedding planning?”

Shaking his blond head, Casey smirked. “How’d you know that’s what I was doing?”

“Just a guess.” RJ finally freed himself from Bruno’s affections and stepped toward the trailer. “You and Joel were arguing about the venue in the van on the way to the show yesterday.”

Casey snorted, holding the door wider as RJ started up the steps. “That wasn’t arguing. You know Joel. He has to act like he hates every idea at first so he can give in later.”

RJ laughed, taking Casey’s hand and squeezing it. “Sounds about right.

“I guess you’re here for your jacket.” Casey looked out over RJ’s shoulder. “You caught a ride over here?”

“My mom. I’ll get an Uber back home. Don’t worry about it.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Casey closed the door behind them, trying and failing to leave Bruno and his slobbery love out front. “I could lend you the SUV while you’re in town.”

“Why would you do that?”

Casey blushed and turned toward the living room, which featured a fully decorated Christmas tree with a tin star on top and electric candles in the window. “Because my folks got me that LEAF for Christmas? And Joel won’t give up his old truck? So, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with the SUV until I sell it.” He frowned. “IfI sell it.”

“Dude, it’s a Lexus.”

“I know.”

RJ leaned against the back of the sofa, admiring the colorful tree. “I can’t drive a Lexus.”

“That’s what Joel said when I tried to give it to him.” Casey laughed.

“Thanks for the offer, but—”

“But you’ll take it while you’re here,” Casey said.

“I can’t.”

“You can. You will.”

“Stubborn.”

“That’s my middle name. Don’t wear it out.”

RJ rolled his eyes.