After the contract signing, Mia, Cyrus, and Gage went to a local frozen yogurt shop to chat about what Mia’s role at IWX would be.
“I can’t believe we talked her into taking us for ice cream. The wife never lets us do this.” Gage took a big bite of his frozen yogurt.
Gage and Cyrus acted like two little kids as they goofed around with each other. Over the past two years, they had become best friends, and they were like two rowdy children.
Gage licked his spoon with a big grin. “Isis is going to be mad that I’m eating junk food before dinner.”
“Dude. You’re whipped. Isis is half your size. Grow some balls,” Cyrus said, rolling his eyes.
“She’s a freaking momzilla when she’s pregnant. My sweet love used to be so kind and innocent. Now I think one of Holly’s demons possessed her.”
“You two are just too much. Besides, it’s froyo. It’s better for you.” Mia sat eating her frozen yogurt. “Thank you both. I would never have been here without you. I don’t know how to repay you for all you’ve done.”
Cyrus smiled at his sweet lady. “Just being here is payment enough. So… Your birthday is tomorrow. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. I never thought about it. I thought I’d be in Indiana looking at four walls, eating ice cream from the carton, and feeling sorry for myself.” Mia watched as a bird fluttered down next to her seat on the outside patio.
“Well, that’s not going to happen. You’ll have a real birthday.” Cyrus watched her reaction, noticing she was serious about the fact she would have been alone.
“OOO… DISNEY WORLD!” Gage yelled.
“I’m not taking you to Disney World, Gage. The last time you and Wraith got drunk and rode on the teacups until you got sick. You puked all over Cinderella.” Cyrus rolled his eyes.
“The bitch had it coming.”
Mia almost spat out her food from laughing at Gage.
“You’re a moron.” Cyrus chuckled.
“It’s almost my birthday too.” Gage faked being upset. “Why does she get to do something fun? I was your best friend first.”
Mia giggled, looking at Cyrus. “Well, aren’t all our birthdays this month?”
“Yes. Why?” Cyrus looked questioning.
“Why not go camping for the weekend? We could invite all your family. I would love to meet them.” She clasped her hands, smiling with a cheesy grin. “Please? Pretty Please?”
Gage put his hands under his chin, trying to look cute, and begged too. “Please, old grumpy face? It would be fun. Family fun time.”
“You two ganging up on me is not cool. I think Gage likes you because you agree to all his crazy ideas.” Cyrus ate from his froyo trying to ignore his annoying friend.
“He’s funny and look at that face. How can you resist those big puppy dog eyes?” Mia grabbed Gage’s face, shaking it.
“She’s right, ya know? I’m pretty adorable.” Gage gave a big toothy grin, knowing he was going to win.
Cyrus rolled his eyes, “Okay, you two. You win. Camping it is. Mia, let me pamper you on this trip. None of this, ‘don’t buy me stuff’ crap. It’s your birthday. We don’t have to be back to work until Monday night. We’ll leave out tonight if we can round everyone up.”
Gage cheered, “YES! I’ll call Isis. We can go to Tennessee to Wraith’s place by the lake.” He quickly rushed to call his wife.
Cyrus threw away his bowl and sat next to Mia. “You know encouraging him just causes more trouble, right? Wait until you meet Colt. He’s more annoying than Gage. Colt’s scared shitless of me, so I mess with him all the time.” He laughed and pulled her over to him.
“He’s your best friend. I’m glad Gage likes me. I hope all your family does too.” She laid her head on his shoulder, snuggling up to him.
“They are going to love you. Just keep in mind, they are not all like Gage. Gage is the tame one of all of us. Well, sort of. He’s changed a lot over the years. The Evans family is a little wild. Holly is the hardest one to crack.”
“Do you realize I refer to them as the Doom crew? I’m sure I know what they are all about. I know you, Isis, and Gage is the tame ones of the group. I’m excited to meet them. How are we going to get there?” Mia asked.
“Walk. Got your comfy shoes on?” He joked. “Those heels may hurt.”
“Ha-ha, smart mouth.” Mia poked him in the side.
“My private plane.”
“Plane? Geez. We live vastly different lives. Well, high roller. Let’s go, then. I’m ready to meet the fam.”
***
The next day, Mia was sitting in Cyrus’ camper by the lake on Wraith’s property, painting her nails to match her birthday theme. She had on a pink bikini and cut-off shorts, with a white loose cotton tank top, and her hair braided in a long loose fishtail braid to the side. She decided that she wanted a separate space in the large camper away from Cyrus, instead of sharing the same bed. Mia knew the closer she got to him, the more tempted she was becoming and needed to keep a little distance.
Cyrus agreed it was a good idea as well. He came from the adjoining room and flopped down on the bed. She stopped to let the bed settle from motion.
“DON’T move!”
“Oops. Sorry, babe. What are you doing?”
“Painting birthday inspired nails. See. Little cupcakes and bows.” She smiled gleefully, showing off her nails.
“Cool. How do you paint so small?”
“Lots of practice. I’m excited to meet your family. I really hope they like me.” Mia went back to painting little bows and polka dots.
“Well, Gage and I talked to them last night. They’re excited to meet you too. It was so late when we got here, everyone was already too tired to meet up.” Cyrus laid back on the bed, resting his arms behind his head.
“So, what is everyone going to think about you dating the girl with the big letter V.” She looked over at him.
“V?... Oh, that. No one needs to know you’re a virgin. It’s none of their business, but I can bet it will come up. Holly and Lilly are the ones I expect to say something. They have no filter.”
Mia laughed. “Cyrus, I heard you tell Gage last night you were afraid they would offend me. Gee-whiz, man. Get over it.”
“Okay. Just warning you ahead of time. My family can be nosey.” He jumped up and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going to go see if they’re ready. They’re meeting us down at our best fishing spot. The property is huge, so I got my dad’s old golf cart to drive around.”
“Cool. Cyrus thanks for this. I miss doing this sort of stuff. My parents are older, so we don’t get to do things like this as much anymore.”
“No problem. This was the perfect idea for meeting my family. We all love these big get-togethers. It’s a tradition.”
“I like that you all are close. Family is important to me.”
“I’m glad you feel that way because they mean the world to me.”
“As well, they should. I hope I fit in because I like them already,” she said, smiling.
Cyrus sighed to himself as he walked out the camper door. “Let’s hope my sister doesn’t screw it all up.”