***
“I need to make a call,” Kayla said looking all flustered.
“Sure. Use the office to your right.” Dean said taking in Kayla’s confused look.
“Thanks.” She muttered and left.
They were on the plane, on their way back home. Dean had just dropped a bombshell. His family was getting together for Thanksgiving dinner so he was going straight to his parent’s house from the airport. He wanted Kayla to come with him. To say Kayla was confused was an understatement, she was…
“…freaking out Cole. I can’t go. But I don’t know how to tell him. I’m…”
“Hold it, Kay,” Cole said calmly. “Take a deep breath and repeat what you just said. I couldn’t get anything except the fact that you’re panicking. Now take it from the top. What’s going on?”
Cole hadn’t heard from Kayla since he put her on Dean’s plane to Dubai. He had been waiting for an insulting call from her but none had come. He’d therefore assumed that all was rosy between his friends. But from Kayla’s panicked tone, Cole knew without a doubt that Dean had fucked up as usual. Cole’s lips tightened and drew into a grim line, his face hardening. He was going to kill the bastard.
“Cole it’s Dean.”
“I figured,” Cole replied in a hard voice. “What the fuck did the jerk do?”
“Oh no, he didn’t do anything. He…”
But Cole cut her off. “So why are you freaking out Kay? You are on your way back aren’t you? Is everyth…”
“Cole, now it’s your turn to calm down. I called. Just shut up and listen to me.”
“Yes, your highness.” Cole drawled mockingly.
“Dean wants to take me to his parents’ home for thanksgiving dinner Cole. I don’t think…”
“What?” Cole’s bellow was so loud, Kayla winced. “Dean Broody wants to take you to meet his parents?”
“I didn’t say…”
But Cole went right on, talking. “You mean like ‘Meet the Fockers’? What the fuck did you do to the guy? You must have rocked his world babes.” Incredulity filled Cole’s tone.
“We’re not going to meet his parents. We’re going to have dinner in their house.” Kayla said slowly as though she were talking to a child.
“Same shit.” Cole retorted. “Kay, Dean has never taken any girl he’s fucking…well…seeing, to meet his family. Yes, his brothers do sometimes get to see the girls he bangs. But definitely not a formal introduction scene like he’s asking for. Kay, this is serious.” Cole’s voice had gone quiet.
“Don’t you think I know that? Why do you think I’m calling you? Much as I want to strangle you for setting me up, I need advice. What should I do Cole? I’m scared.” Cole thought Kayla sounded worse than scared but he wasn’t going to point that out to her.
“You really sure you wanna strangle me?” Cole drawled mockingly in an Italian accent, his voice full of amusement.
“Cole…” Kayla whined. “Get serious please.”
“You love him, Kay. He’s obviously head over heels in love with you. He comes from a close-knit family. So naturally, he wants you to meet his family. Kay, I think you should know something very important about Dean, to help you understand why he’s acting the way he is. He has never been in love before. I must admit, I’m surprised he’s not running for the hills. He must love you very much.” Cole went quiet for some time, then cleared his throat. “You know he does right?”
“Yes.” Came Kayla’s whisper.
“So what are you scared of Kay? You both love each other. Take the next step. He’s obviously all in. If you don’t go, it only shows that you are not ready for this. The last time I checked, Dean was the one with a phobia when it comes to commitment. Go meet the family, girl. It will even help you understand him better. Alright?”
“Alright,” Kayla answered in a small voice.
“Hey, cheer up. You are not being sent to the slaughterhouse. Tip: dress to kill. They’re all guys…well mostly. They’ll be eating out of your palm. Oh and watch out for Jean, one of the brothers. He’s worse than Dean.”
Kayla laughed softly. “He told me he’s an angel compared to Jean.”
“Well, he didn’t lie.” Cole laughed. “They will love you, Kay. Don’t worry too much.”
“Thanks, Cole. See you later.”
“Have fun love.”
***
When they came out of the plane, they were met by a very pleasant-looking elderly man. He extended his hand to give Dean a firm handshake.
“Hope you had a good flight, Mr. Broody.” He said with a smile.
“We did James. Thanks.” Dean beamed back. “All set?”
“Sure. Right, this way Sir. Oh, hello Ma’am.” He said turning to grin at Kayla.
“Hello, Sir.” She replied with a smile.
They were led to Dean’s sleek black Cadillac Escalade. Dean opened the front passage door for Kayla to sit, then went around to get behind the steering wheel.
“Ready?” He asked her quietly.
“Yes.”
“Let’s do this,” Dean said with a huge grin, easing the powerful car out of the parking lot. “Have I told you how beautiful you look?” He asked, taking his eyes off the road to give her a desire-filled glance. They had both dressed for dinner just before touch-down.
Kayla laughed and reached up to turn Dean’s head, with her hand on his cheek, to face the road. She knew she was looking good. She had on the white mini pleated skirt Dean had bought for her in Dubai, and a sexy black sleeveless Ponte top with a ‘can’t miss’ neckline. With it, she had on a red high-heeled peep-toe V-Front sandal, which had a slender ankle strap, and a red Fendi leather bag, that most ladies would kill for.
“I won’t be for long if you don’t watch the road. And yes, you’ve told me more than a hundred times.”
“You counted?” Dean asked with mock incredulity.
Kayla laughed. “Dean, you’ve been saying it every other minute. You don’t look too bad yourself.” Kayla drawled, running her eyes over Dean. He looked so good and smart in a black button-down long-sleeved shirt and black khaki pants. But then, Dean looked good in anything. “Good enough to eat actually,” Kayla said batting her lashes at him, playfully.
“Oh baby, if you really want to get there in one piece, you’d better stop that.” Dean drawled making Kayla laugh even harder.
He reached between them and took her left hand into his right, entwining their fingers. “You okay?” He asked softly, bringing their joint hands to his lips to gently kiss the inside of her wrist.
Kayla nodded, then realizing Dean wasn’t looking at her, answered in a soft voice, “yes I’m okay.”
“They will love you,” Dean said in a gentle voice. “Hell even if they don’t, I do. And that’s all that matters. Okay?” He squeezed her hand lightly.
“Okay.” Kayla felt better all of a sudden.