Then it happens for all of one second, and I feel Kaeli tense beside me. But when I look at her, she’s still donning that smile.
Walking toward the house, she hugs her mom, who is almost the same height as her.
“Come on.” Roman pats my back and helps me carry the bags inside. The mother-daughter duo has already found their way into the living room.
Dropping the luggage in the foyer, we follow the ladies inside as chatter fills the walls.
Curious to learn more about her, I browse the framed pictures hanging on the walls. I grin, seeing Kaeli on her father’s shoulders in pigtailsand the cutest smile on her chubby cheeks.
There’s one where their parents are holding Roman in the middle, and Kaeli at her mother’s side with an angry expression on her face. She appears to be about ten in this picture.
There are a few more of Roman receiving trophies and medals for soccer. Moving on from them, I see one where both the parents kiss a teenage Roman’s cheeks as he makes a gagging face, while Kaeli stands on the side, giving an awkward smile.
My own grin falls when I identify an odd pattern. Concerned and a little confused, I turn to see Kaeli and find her brother giving her a noogie, while she chortles and yells at the same time.
I shake my head, clearing all the stupid ideas, and move away when I see more of Roman’s pictures receiving his degree and shots with his team holding an MLS cup.
What the fuck?
“You’re an MLS player?” My voice gives away my astonishment as I walk into the living room.
With a smug grin on his face, he says, “Hell yeah, I am.”
“You didn’t tell me?” I look at Kaeli.
“It never came up.” She just shrugs, but I see a flicker of something else in her eyes. It’s gone before I can pinpoint it.
“Come, son. Take a seat,” The older woman points at the couch. “I’ll introduce myself. It seems like my daughter still hasn’t learned her manners,” she remarks with the roll of her eyes at Kaeli.
Her slight jab doesn’t sit well with me, and it bothers me when I find Kaeli’s smile dim as Roman rubs her hand as she stands snuggled in his shoulder.
“Sorry,” Kaeli says in a quiet voice that I don’t think I’ve ever heard her speak.
“I’m Janice.” Her mother ignores her and offers me her hand to shake.
The footfall of someone’s arrival has us looking at them. “And I’m Peter, their father,” the man introduces himself as he goes to stand beside his wife, offering me his hand to shake, which I take dutifully.
Kaeli’s father is a tall man who looks young for his age, with the gray shining in his hair. A total silver-fox if you ask me. I can see a resemblance between him and Kaeli, from his red hair to his brown eyes and freckled face.
“It’s nice to meet you, sir. Thank you so much for having me,” I extend my gratitude.
“Oh, call me Peter, son. Excuse us for the less-than-simple welcome. Looks like Kaeli thought it would be a good idea to surprise us with a guest,” he laughs, as the others follow, even Kaeli.
I act to join in too, though I’m questioning myself if all of this is in my head, or if they’re really talking down to her.
“How about you rest for a while? It must’ve been a long flight. We can all gather around at dinner,” Janice suggests, and all nod in agreement.
“Sure, sounds great,” I nod.
Roman moves to grab the bags. “Come, I’ll help you and show you around ”
“That’s my boy,” Peter’s voice follows us.
As I follow Roman and Kaeli through the corridors, there’s only one thought in my mind.
This is the weirdest fucking interaction I’ve had.
Forty Two
