“Who’s up for board games after we finish dinner?” Mom asks us.
“I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.” It’s a terrible one. We’re incredibly competitive and there’s nothing good that can come from that.
“Why not?” Kate pokes me in the side, “scared to get beat?”
Dad’s laugh fills the room. “Oh, you’re gonna fit right in.”
Chapter Nineteen
Kate
I don’t know why I was so worried about meeting Xander’s parents. They are polar opposites of mine. Their home feels cozy and lived in. A contrast to the magazine ready home I grew up in. Board games was never something we did as a family either. The only time I played them is with Kai or when I went to my friend’s house.
Jealousy over the childhood I’m sure Xander had rears up. I’m not sure why other than the fact I had a wonderful time with him and his family. I wish I had that when I was a kid. Maybe my relationship with my parents would have been different.
The problem bride from a few weeks ago is due to be here in the next twenty minutes. Now is not the time to be thinking about all the things I missed in my childhood with my own parents.
“Hey, Sis,” Kai approaches me in the warehouse, “I heard you met Xander’s parents.”
“Yep. It went shockingly well.” What is going on with him? He doesn’t usually ask about any of my personal life. “I even learned how to make brownies.”
“That’s impressive. So, when are you going to make some for your favorite brother?”
“You’re my only brother.” One day he’ll realize that saying gets old. “And I haven’t made them on my own yet. I want to try them myself before I possibly make someone sick with my baking.”
“That seems like a solid plan.” He glances at his phone to check the time. He knows I have a meeting soon, and he’ll have to give up the office. “So, when are you going to introduce Mom and Dad to him?”
Woah. What the hell? The question throws me off, and it takes me a few moments to even garner a response.
"I don't see how that's any of your business."
"Because you've met his parents. If it's that serious, Mom and Dad should meet him." He puts his hands on his waist as if he's scolding a child. Too bad I'm older than him.
"You honestly think that will go over well? As if they don't judge every little thing I do."
"They aren't that bad."
"To you they aren't." God, how can he not notice how much they are on my ass and everything he does is brilliant? It's like we grew up in two separate households instead of under the same roof. "They comment on everything I do. It doesn't matter if it's a good thing or not, they always have criticism."
"Maybe it's your attitude toward them." He groans as soon as the words are out of his mouth. He knows he's said the wrong thing, and it's about to turn ugly.
The chair rolls backward, and falls over behind me as I stand. There's no holding back the rage roiling through my body.
"My attitude toward them didn't come until much later. They have always been harder on me, and expected more out of me. Hell, just three months ago you were sleeping on my couch to avoid staying with them. So don't get on your high horse and tell me my feelings are invalid." It takes everything in me not to yell, but we're at work and I don't need to let possible customers know about my personal business.
He holds his hands up in surrender, as if I might leap across the room and attack him. "I-I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry." He watches me for a few seconds to see how I'm going to react. "But would it be terrible if you tried to fix your relationship with them? I'm not saying act like nothing ever happened to fracture your relationship, but be cordial to each other at the very least.”
“That’s a hard ask, little brother. It’s not like if I talk to them everything will be sunshine and rainbows. They have to bend as well.”
“Just think about it,” he glances at his watch again, “you should probably head in there and get ready for your meeting.”
“You’re lucky I’m not canceling it.” He doesn’t seem to appreciate my glare as I make my way past him toward the office. “Do me a favor and butt out of my relationship. It doesn’t concern you, and if I want to Xander to meet our parents I’ll make it happen. Also, be happy we’re pretty much the only ones here. The girls wouldn’t have let you come at me with that.”
“I’m sorry, Kate.” His voice is flat. He knows just how badly he’s screwed up in my eyes. I don’t mind his mostly normal relationship with the parents. But he doesn’t need to force that on me. It’s my choice the relationship I have with them. I just hope he hasn’t let it slip that I’m seeing someone.
“So, did your fickle bride make actual choices today?” Xander hands me my food from the bag. I’ll try to cook one day, but after everything with my brother and the pain in the ass bride, I didn’t have it in me.
“To my surprise, she did,” I glance through my notes on the coffee table. “None of it matches and the flowers don’t even go together, but it’s progress. She made decisions and I’ll abide by them if only to avoid another stressful meeting.”
