“It’s short for Nathaniel, sir.” Nate sticks out his hand to my father. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you I feel like I know you,” he says.
My dad shakes his hand and smiles. “Oh yeah?”
“Yes sir. When you have time I’d love to see your train collection. I used to have a small train set myself, but from what I hear you’ve got the best there is.”
Slapping Nate on the back, his smile couldn’t be bigger. “Well damn son, after dinner we’ll have some cigars in the basement and I’ll show you. And please call me Charles.”
Holy shit. He’s good. I mean I know he said he was good, but wow. Watching him impress my dad that quickly was like magic. He’s not an easy man to get along with, but Nate knew exactly what to say. It’s kinda sexy.
“Sit, sit. I want to hear everything,” my mom says, patting the cushions next to her.
Just as we sit down the front door flies open. It’s like utter chaos ensues. Kids running all over screaming, my sister and her husband yelling for them to relax. My brother and his wife trying to talk over everyone. My parents are laughing at the kids and hugging everyone. Turning my head, I shrug at Nate.
“It’s only going to get worse,” I say, staring into his dark eyes.
“I can handle it. Stop worrying so much,” he says, wrapping his arm around me.
Instinctively, I move closer to him, feeling his body heat against mine. He’s good. The man is good.
“Oh my goodness,” Abigail, my sister, screams. “Will you look at Addie? She really did bring someone home.”
I feel myself tense up with anger and Nate must sense it because he gently strokes my arm.
“Don’t be so rude Addie, introduce us all,” Andrew, my brother, says.
Inwardly, I roll my eyes as I introduce Nate to everyone standing there staring at us. My sister and her husband Jake, my brother and his wife Tracey and of course my two nephews, Michael and Matt.
The volume of everyone talking at the same time is like nails on a chalkboard. I can feel my body getting tense and my ears starting to bleed. I glance over at Nate and he has a small smile on his face taking it all in. This poor guy had no idea what the hell he signed up for.
“Shhh, everyone shut up. I want to hear how Nate and Addie met,” Abigail yells, clapping her hands like a small child.
It’s like she just promised them gold because everyone shuts up and silently stares at us. Shifting uncomfortably next to Nate, he puts his hand on my knee giving it a light squeeze. Pretty much reassuring me he’s got this.
“Addilyn and I were actually set up by a mutual friend. She told me that she knew the perfect girl for me, which I didn’t believe existed, so I figured what did I have to lose. We met in a small dimly lit restaurant. When I saw her walk in it was the first time in my life I felt my knees go weak. She was stunning and I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of her since. The longer we talked, the more I realized that maybe there was something to believe in. Well, we haven’t been apart since that night. She’s definitely the perfect woman for me,” he says.
I’m staring at him believing the story myself for a second. Damn, he’s good.
“Oh, that is beautiful,” my mom says, wiping her eyes.
“How long have you been together?” Andrew asks. He’s always looking for the faults in everything. If there is a problem, he’ll happily point it out.
“Almost six months,” I say, puffing my chest out with confidence.
Laughing, he turns to his wife. “Just wait,” he says under his breath.
“Until what?” I say, starting a fight that is completely unnecessary.
“Addie, it’s new and fun right now. Wait until you’re married and having kids. Shit changes fast,” he says, walking past us to go into the kitchen.
I glance over at Tracey who stares at the floor holding onto her very pregnant belly. “What the hell was that about?” I ask, looking between my mom and Tracey.
My mom waves her hand trying to dismiss me. “Oh, he’s just in a mood. Never mind him. Come on, let’s go work on getting dinner ready. I’m sure everyone is starving.” She starts toward the kitchen and turns back. “Addie, you and Nate can take your bags up to your old room and relax if you need.”
That is her way of trying to keep me away from whatever the fuck is going on. Which is fine because I’ll get it out of someone, but I’ll gladly take the break from everyone for now. Walking over to our bags, it suddenly hits me. We are staying in the same room. Fuck.
