“Hey,” I tug at her hand before she can get out onto the sidewalk. “Let me handle the detailed answers. You stick to the truth.” She makes a weird gulping sound. “How romantic it’s been, all the grand gestures you love, how handsome I am, how great the orgasms are—”
“Ben!”
“That kind of thing. Just try not to call me gross in front of my father, yeah?”
She smirks and lifts a shoulder, “I’ll try my best.”
“Right. So we’re fucked.” I say, making her laugh as we get out of the car. We ignore the paparazzi, nod at the doorman, and make quick work of riding up to the top three floors of the high rise my mum and dad call home. I squeeze her hand as the elevator pings our arrival and she squeezes back.
“EEEEEEEEeeeeee!” My sister-in-law screams as the doors open, arms outstretched.
“Ah, Samantha’s here already,” I murmur.
“Hey Sam,” my wife chuckles, hugging Samantha back with genuine enthusiasm. I watch for any signs of distress, since she’s been so weird about seeing any of the Canton family, but I find none. The two women gush over each other so long Emerson, stoically holding the elevator doors open, clears his throat.
“Right, sorry! Come in!”
“If it’s not too much trouble,” I joke as she finally hugs me. It’s a quick hug before she leads Janie away.
“How’s it, old man?” I say, gripping my older brother’s outstretched hand and leaning in for a hug.
“Great,” he says, meaning it. He watches his wife walk away with mine. I watch them too. I look back at him to tease him about being whipped but he’s staring at me. “Huh.”
“Huh? What huh?”
He shakes his head, feigning innocence, “Nothing.”
“Samantha, I need you to translate your annoying husband’s grunts for me, please!” I call, walking down the hallway toward the first living room.
“Yes, great to see you again, Evelyn.” I hear Janelle saying as she takes my mum’s hand. They met briefly at Emerson and Samantha’s wedding, I guess. I know Father didn’t meet her there, though. I don’t see him yet.
“Ughfinally. You know I get a bit off if we haven’t seen each other in months, you ugly bastard.” Byron says as he approaches from a wet bar off to the side.
“Still younger and better looking than you,” I joke back.
We hug and study each other. Janelle wasn’t wrong earlier. I’m sure he senses some things about me. Just like I can tell he’s not well. He looks like shit, for one thing. He’s gained weight and has circles under his eyes darker than the car I just arrived in.
But it’s not those things, visible to anyone.
It’s just…a sense I have.
I’m guessing it’s to do with Layla. I scan the room. She’s not here.
“Is she alright?”
He smiles a small smile, “Pregnant.”
“What!!” I yell before hugging him hard. Janelle’s attention snaps to me so I tell her, “Wanker’s been keeping secrets. Finally remembered how to knock up his wife. Congratulations!”
“Ben.” Emerson scolds me.
“They have a hard time conceiving, I think they’ve been trying for years, since Abby turned one.” Samantha explains quietly.
“You’re an ass.” He says to me before turning to Janelle with a much more polite smile, “Layla is just barely pregnant and since we’ve had a rough go of it she’s taking it easy. She’ll have to meet you tomorrow at the gala.”
“Of course, I understand. Congratulations,” she replies, then eyes me with an expression that clearly says I shouldn’t tease him about infertility. I should though, or else everyone gets all quiet and weird about everything.
“And you, Boy Genius? Fixed your wobbly knob yet?”
