Chapter 29: There's No Sweet Escape

We pulled up to the house, or rather, I pulled about halfway down the block. Just in case my cousin decides to randomly drive off, he won't dent up my car like last time.

"We always have to park so far away, would it kill you to park just a LITTLE BIT closer?"

SLAP!

Montana giggled as Flack rubbed his face cursing as we walked towards the house.

"All right guys, now, my family is a bit odd…so approach with caution." Montana began to giggle as I walked towards the door. "Oh you think I'm kidding."

"She's not." Flack said, looking to Montana and nodding with a serious expression.

"Also, one thing you all must know is my family is in the midst of war right now. Everyone's fighting each other. Montana, that's why I brought you, because if an outsider is present, then everyone tends to behave a little better and it makes it a little less messy for everyone."

"You're not…involved are you?" Montana asked and I chuckled.

"Yeah I am." I knocked on the door and my grandma answered. Now, my grandma hates me but she loves Flack so I thought bringing him would just be an added bonus for me. She peered through her glasses to see who it was.

"Hello Keisha."

"Hello." I replied warmly, but with a small hint of aggravation in my voice.

"OH! And who else is here?" My grandma asked, stepping back so we could come inside the house.

"Well, you might remember Flack…" Flack held out his hand and my grandma just gave him a hug. He turned to me and mouthed "help." I merely chuckled and let him sit there.

"And who is this cutie?" My grandma asked, making a move to go pinch Montana's cheeks. The poor girl tried to dodge it but no such luck and soon he was blushing like a tomato.

"That's Montana…we're going to head outside now…"

"Keisha?"

"Yeah?" I asked, stopping and turning around. My grandma stood there with her hands on her hips looking peeved.

"Take off the hoodie."

"With all due respect…no." I said walking outside into the backyard where various members of my family were, including the one cool aunt I have…oh Aunt Rose…

"Keisha! Nice of you to make it! How lost did you get…oh…you brought him." She said, pointing to Flack who waved.

"Hey! You remembered me!"

"Well yes, it's a little hard to forget you…"

"Tell me about it." I laughed as Flack put on a pouty face. "I'm sorry Flack-Attack I love you."

"First you leave me in the street then this? I'm not forgiving you."

"Flack-Attack…" It was MY turn to use the puppy dog face. Flack turned to see my face and his expression softened as he broke into a grin.

"I can't stay mad at that." He said, giving me a quick hug before my aunt interrupted us.

"So…when are you two going to date?" Both of us shot back from each other before turning to stare at her. Flack opened his mouth but he couldn't say anything.

"AUNT ROSE!" Montana started laughing and she was startled, turning around to see him holding his mouth as a fit of giggles came over him.

"You brought a new one?"

"Yeah, this is Montana." I said, walking over to her and throwing my arm around her shoulder. "She's the resident innocent girl."

"Oh, then we should corrupt her…" My aunt said rubbing her hands together before breaking out into a fit of laughter.

"Adam would kill us." Flack said, shaking his head. "Keisha already stuck a bit of innocence in her pocket driving over here."

"How lost did you get?"

"Let's just say…I have suspicions you wrote the darn directions."

"Oh! What?" Before the two of us could argue anymore, I hear the roar of an engine. "Oh good…Joey's here…"

"Is he…bringing anyone?"

"I think so. As to who, I'm not sure." I gulped and walked over to my two guys. Joey walked through the back door moments later. Some say he looks like a shorter Drake Bell, but I usually just slap them when they say that. But nevertheless, he was a jock and yes, the only cousin my age and yes, we got along pretty well.

"Keisha!" He called before slapping my back. "Are you ready to go on an adventure?" Usually during family functions, we sneak off to do something else only to return with my family ties in chaos.

"Sure…" I said, peering behind him.

"Say, you didn't bring anyone, did you?"

"Yeah I brought Lee and Jordan." Oh my Lord…a small skinny guy walked through the door and waved to me. I waved back but a part of me wanted to jump over the fence, get in my car, and drive away to Canada. Lee has had a huge crush on me for the longest time and he's really sweet, but he's a little bit creepy. Next behind him was a huge guy, I'm talking 6 foot all muscle. Jordan played football and baseball and I swore for the longest time he was on steroids. One time at my Conformation we played whiffleball and he hit me with the ball when he was batting...I'll let you know when I have feeling back in my arm…

"All right then…Flack…" I muttered pulling my New Yorker friend to the side as he was chatting with Jordan.

"Have you no manners?" He asked when we got to a shaded part of the yard.

"Sorry Emily Post but we have a problem." I said as we were in a secluded corner. "You know the small guy my cousin brought?"

"Lee? He seems pretty cool, I think. But he also seems a little creepy…"

"Yes! He has a crush on me and I don't want to hurt his feelings or be mean, but I need you to do something."

"Kick him to the curb for you?"

"No! Not literally or figuratively, because then my cousin will be mad and feed me to Jordan. Anyways, I need you to pretend to be my…"

"What?"

"…boyfriend." Flack's eyes just lit up and he broke out into a toothy grin. I knew as soon as I said that I would regret it.

"Hmm…what's in it for me?" Lee was making his way across the yard and I was mentally kicking myself for such a poor lapse in judgment but at this point I was frantic.

"Whatever the heck you want! Just tell me yes or no." Flack tapped his foot, knowing full well what he was doing. "Flack!"

"Relax Keisha, I'll do it. I can be a suave sexy New Yorker boyfriend."

"You're a fourth right." I laughed and he looked at me very cross.

"You have to be nicer to me or this relationship is over!" He yelled before winking at me so I knew he was joking.

"I'm sorry Flack-Attack; I'll be nicer to you." I said giving him a big hug which he gladly returned.