41

I miss you all the time, it’s never the same without hearing my kids bicker..
Mom, there’s someone I would like for you to meet-
Oh Lilly already beat you to it, but go ahead continue continue.
His face held so many emotions at once. I can never tell her anything. I heard him mumble before fixing his face to talk.
Well. He cleared his throat before turning to face me with a smile forming on his face. This is Embre. He stepped to the side for me to come into view for his mother. My girlfriend.
My heart bounced outer space and came back into orbit all at once. Taking the step needed to be closer to her, I held out of my hand. It’s nice to meet you Mrs Hale.
What is that ? She stared at my hand in distaste, like I offended her. Hugs are better. My heart was literally pounding against my chest at 100 miles per hour.
Oh, sorry Mrs Hale. She pulled me into a hug and I tried my best to successfully pull away without capturing our jewelry together.
Call me Ruby, Mrs Hale sounds like I’m in a business meeting.
Ruby. I smiled at her gesture, at least she seemed nice in person.
So.. you’re the woman my son as been talking about. She stepped back to look at me with my hands still intertwined with hers.
Mom. Both of our heads flipped to look at him. He was scratching the back of his awkwardly before he dropped it once noticing our stare.
What ? Ruby asked him. This isn’t normal for you, I’m shocked she’s standing in front of me right now. She released my hands.
This is so embarrassing.
Well get use to it son. I heard another deep monotone voice interject. And who might this be ? He looked to me, after placing his hand on his wife’s back.
Dad. Landon’s tone changed, almost soft spoken. And I could tell he had the most respect for him. This is Embre-
His girlfriend. Ruby gloated, looking up at her husband. Isn’t this wonderful ?
Nice meeting you, Mr. Hale. I held out my hand again.
Call me Richard. He accepted my hand in his firm strong grip. Oh sorry. He apologized. I don’t usually shake hands with woman.
And why is that ? Ruby asked him.
Because you always have something to say about it.
That is not true ! But you could have broken her hand there.
See. He mumbled to himself and I tried to compress myself from laughing.
I think your brother and sisters should have showed up by know, let me go see if they are here. Ruby took her leave with her husband by her side. Don’t leave me a corner seat you know how much I hate them ! She called back to Landon, and he rolled his eyes before switching the signs so she was in the middle.
Do I want to know ?
No.. no you don’t. I knew there was a story to what she said.
Do you think they like me ? I asked him, shifting my weight from one leg to the other.
If she hugged you and if my Dad spoke even a sentence to you.. yes I think so.
Okay good. I shook out my hands, trying to relax.
You were that nervous ? He asked me, rubbing my arms to calm my nerves.
If I’m your girlfriend now so yes it does matter that my boyfriend’s parents like me.
Boyfriend. He focused only on that one word that I said. Like boyfriend boyfriend or, boy that’s a friend ?
The first one. I rolled my eyes, recalling back to what I said to him in the limo. Your sister is coming. I nodded my head in the direction of Lilly approaching.
You should have let me scare him. Lilly snapped her fingers in exaggeration. You look stunning. She complimented me as if she didn’t help put this together.
I must look like a sardine compared to you guys then. A unfamiliar female came from behind Lilly, they looked almost the same.
Lena this is Embre, Embre this is Lena. I reached my hand out to her and she took it nonetheless before dropping it back to her side.
Nice to meet you. She had to be related to them, and it wasn’t because of the first letter of her name that gave it away.
Lilly whispered something in her ear and her facial expression turned as if she were shocked. Girlfriend ? Have I been living under a rock ?
I just found out not too long ago myself. Lilly expressed her hurt as well.
I told you I was going to ask her. Landon interjected.
And what about me ? Lena asked him and at the same time, they both crossed their arms across their silk runway looking dresses.
Where’s Liam ? Landon asked, diverting the attention away from him.
Answer the question and I’ll let you know. Lena didn’t budge.
He shouldn’t be that hard to find. Landon turned his head in search of this Liam guy. There he is. I followed his glance to see a man with his back turned talking to a group of women.
I swear I’m surprised he hasn’t came up with a disease. Lena sighed, watching him mingle with the ladies.
Liam ! Lilly called out to him but he didn’t turn around, he must not have heard her. Liam Anderson Hale !
We could see his body tense and with a slight shake of his head, he turned to face us. I guess everyone in here looks like model in the face besides me.
How’s my little sister doing ? Liam-the brother- walked over to his siblings. And stop acting like my mother.
When you stop being a man whore then I won’t have to act like one. He didn’t take the statement offensively as they both hugged.
The ladies love me, what can I say. He fanned himself once before slicking back his medium black hair that was already neat.
And for gods sake what color are you going to dye your hair next ? Blue ?
Smurfs are small, I’m rather large. My eyes widen in alarm after hearing the words he uttered.
Liam. Landon emphasized his name. Can you be a little more discreet.
That’s like asking me to not be real. He turned to his brother before he held out his hand for Landon and he took it before pulling him into a ‘bro hug.’
Once they pulled away his attention turned to me and I tensed at his stare and it wasn’t because of his eyes. And who is this ? He looked me up and down once before his same colored eyes as Landon’s turned to him.
She’s my girlfriend. Landon wrapped his hand around me, his hand spraying across my stomach.
Girlfriend ? He looked perplexed. Damn how old am I ? He stared down at his suit, thinking. No that can’t be right, I thought we agreed that we would wait until-
You can wait until you’re forty five, I’m taken. He gave me reassuring squeeze.
So that means hands off. Lena warned Liam. We don’t need another incident.
To be fair, she kissed me first. He shrugged. I just finished the job.
Women are not jobs for you to-
Lena, the feminist side of you is coming out, I’m all for women’s rights but I don’t need to hear it every damn day.
You don’t see me every damn day. She mimicked his voice to the best of her ability. If you would just stop-
Okay no bickering. Lilly chimed in. It’ll ruin my makeup.
How would that ruin your makeup ? Landon asked her.
Because it requires sweat for her to get her point across all the time. Liam answered the question for her. Girly shit.
You know what-
Welcome to the Eighth and Annual Event of Ceo’s Everybody ! I’m your host Vince Knight and…
Why is he yelling ? I asked Landon, looking up at him. We’re standing right here.
It’s to give enthusiasm sweetheart. Landon guided me back to the table that was suited to us.
This is going to be a long night huh ?
Yes. He pulled out my chair for me. You’ll see why I don’t like coming.
Why ? I asked, watching him sit down in his chair next to mine.
I’m a few hours you’ll see.
And a few hours went by.. and I could see why he didn’t enjoy being here.