Baya, Bryson, Izzy, and Holt are already in the family room. A college game is on TV, and my brothers throw their hands up in frustration at the screen just as we walk into the room.
They all stand to greet us, and I see Bryson turning down the volume on the television. Mom moves us to the veranda out back where she has the patio table set with gold chargers and crewel embroidered napkins in an array of autumn colors. If my mother is about doing anything right, it’s the holidays. You can bet she has a box in the attic for each one, always adding new things to her collection as the years go by.
It’s icy out, so much so that the crisp air actually stings my lungs, but the outdoor fireplace burns bright, looking magical with the butter yellow maples lining the farthest side of the yard.
Marley looks to the spread laid out before us. “This looks amazing.”
My mother is a master chef.I flash the phone to both Marley and Blake as we take our seats next to each other.
Bryson and Holt seem on their best behavior. A little quieter than usual but God knows I don’t mind. And just when I was thinking of gifting them both a muzzle for Christmas. Baya and Izzy stream a steady conversation regarding Izzy and Holt’s upcoming wedding. Every now and again they shift their heads so I can’t make out the entire conversation.
We start in on Mom’s five course masterpiece, kale and walnut salad, smoked chicken, savory yams, cranberry stuffing, marinated mushrooms, and, let’s not forget, the Moscow hot chocolate—wherever it hales from, it’s delicious.
“So Blake”—my mother sets down her fork and signs for my benefit—“tell me about yourself. I’m dying to know everything.Please fill in the blanks.I don’t even know what questions to ask.”
My face heats twelve shades. My body still burns from having him inside me. I’m not sure why, but it feels like I’m wearing a neon sign that reads I gave away my virginity last night! His penis wasmuchbigger than I imagined. Nobody warned me I might need a cane to get through the first day. I make a face at my mother as if she consciously let me down in that arena. Sex isn’t exactly a topic she’s shied away from.
Blake stirs in his seat a moment. I really didn’t tell my mother much about him other than the fact he’s in a band. I’m pretty sure my brothers have filled her in on whatever it is they find repulsive about him—most likely the exceptionally large penis they suspect he has. I bet you could boil down all this tension to a severe case of penis envy. I’m sure if they knew he spent all night impaling me with it, they’d die on the spot with their heads flopping down into their mashed potatoes unable to recover. Despite their imaginary misgivings, Blake is a saint and an excellent boyfriend. Not that I have a long line of boyfriends to compare him to, but next to poor Marley’s longtime boyfriend, William, or any of the turkeys Kaya has wasted her time with, I can easily verify his sainthood.
“I’m in a band.” Blake smiles angling his body so I can see his lips. “The 12 Deadly Sins. I’m the lead singer. On occasion I play guitar.”
“Fascinating.” She leans in a little too excited. “I’ve always been drawn to men who can sing.”
That explains a lot. Bryson once told me that our dad couldn’t sing a note to save his life.
She nods for him to continue. “Are you also a student at Whitney Briggs? Annie mentioned she met you on campus.”
“No, actually.” His features dim as he glances around the table. “Unfortunately, I had to drop my classes this semester. I’m a junior, on ice for now.” He teases.
That smile my mother has plastered to her face slowly slips away. “What brought you to that decision?”
The Edwards family in general stems from a long line of academic worship. It sounds almost hedonistic to abandon the ritual of learning for life on the mean streets of Hollow Brook, or, in his case, Jepson.
“My brother.” Blake grimaces a moment, and the deep commas in his cheeks cave in. “One of my brothers passed away last summer. It’s been tough.” His chest expands. “I needed to get my bearings and square some things away. Plus, we were sharing an apartment, and I couldn’t afford the rent without him. My other brother, Wyatt, has a horse ranch. That’s where I’m staying now.”
“We know.” Bryson offers a sterile nod. It’s clear the war is still on—even though it’s entirely one-sided.
Mom flicks a finger. “Excuse my sons. They’re very protective of their little sister.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” Blake is quick with his reply.
Holt strums his fingers along the table as if he were anxious to tighten the noose around Blake’s neck.“Tell us about your past. Any skeletons in the closet? What was the longest relationship you’ve had?”
“Holt.” My mother playfully scolds, but it sounds like something she herself would like to know.
“No, that’s fine. I have nothing to hide. No skeletons. I’m still working through some tough stuff, but Annie has been a godsend. If it weren’t for her—these past few months would have been sheer hell. Excuse my language.”
I reach over and take up his hand at the table.
Eventually small talk ensues between my brothers. Mom casually mentions that she’s set up an appointment for me at a clinic in Jepson. But I sort of let the conversation die out. I don’t want the implant to become the crux of our visit. And knowing that Blake wants me to have it as much as my mother means they’d most likely double-team me. Once we finish our meals Mom and Baya start to clear the dishes. Izzy and Marley start a conversation about Marley’s sister, Jemma, who happens to be Izzy’s best friend. The rest of the visit flies by as we finish up dessert in the family room while my brothers root for their favorite football team, even though they lose in a record upset. I’m sure there’s some dizzying metaphor in there regarding the stunning loss and my brothers’ views on my relationship with Blake, but my head isn’t up for deciphering it.
We exchange pleasant goodbyes with Mom and make our way to the front. A flood of relief fills me. I thought for sure this afternoon would end up in a pile of broken dishes, and perhaps broken ribs and legs, but not a bone was shattered, china or not.
“Hey”—Holt nods both Blake and me over—“it was real nice getting to spend some time with you away from the Black Bear.” He drills his gaze into Blake, but it’s cold and unfeeling. The words felt more like a threat than they did a kind sentiment. I know my brother too well. This is just a put on.“Oh!”He fakes an epiphany.“You never did answer the question. What was your longest relationship? It’s just one of those stupid things that either says everything or nothing about a person. I sort of blew in and out of relationships myself until I met Izzy.”He pumps a dry smile my way.
I’d be extremely pissed at Holt if he didn’t just offer Blake an out. That little bit of self-effacing just may have saved our relationship. I’m not up for taking any more crap from my brothers.
Blake furrows his brows as he shakes his head. “I don’t really know—a few months to a year? I guess there was a long one in there somewhere. They never meant much until now, so I guess we have that in common.”
