“There you are,” Ben says excitedly. “Why don’t you two grab your drinks and we show you the patio,” he says.
Gavin looks at his brother nervously, but nods. I hold on tightly to the stem of my martini glass and follow them out to the patio, which is even more magnificent than the inside. Fairy lights brighten the space that’s filled with even more plants and plush chairs, along with another outdoor bar.
Ben leads us over to a section of people, and I have to take a deep breath as I recognize the blonde woman before me. It’s his brother’s wife, Penny, who I thought was Ben’s wife at the gym. She’s flanked by two older versions of Ben and Gavin and a small brunette woman with warm brown eyes.
Oh, my fucking god. I’m meeting their family.
I mean, it was in the invitation, wasn’t it? It was a soft opening for friends and family. I’m the friend, they’re the family.
“This is Kate, be nice,” Ben says, as he places an arm around my shoulder and pulls me in tight.
The three strangers watch the motion with confusion, blinking at us before Ben clears his throat.
“You met Penny, who again, is not my wife. She’s Lincoln’s wife, and his cousin,” he says, not giving me a moment for mybrain to catch up to that statement. “This geriatric over here is our oldest brother, Aiden, and his too sweet for him wife, Jessa.”
“I swear to fuck if you don’t stop telling people my business,” Lincoln says.
“Penny was adopted, so it’s alright in the eyes of god and the state of Florida, don’t worry,” Gavin interjects as Ben leads me to a black cushioned seat. He sits to the left of me and Gavin sits to the right.
The two couples take their seats and just stare.
I’m automatically on edge and regret coming tonight. Our agreement never extended to meeting their family, and I can’t help but wonder what they’re thinking, what judgment they’re passing on to me as Ben has his arm around my shoulder and Gavin’s pinky finger is toying with the hem of my dress.
“What is it you do, Kate?” Jessa says, her voice is soft and melodic as she gives me a warm smile. Aiden is clearly at least a decade older than her, not that he looks old by any means. He’s as handsome as his brothers, but the graying edges around his ears and the soft wrinkles around his eyes give him away.
So, the oldest brother is in an age gap relationship, and the middle one married their adopted cousin? Maybe my fucking their twin brothers isn’t as wild as most people would consider it to be.
“I’m a professor at UT.”
“She has a PhD, she teaches fine arts, like the history and significance of it,” Ben chimes in, and I can’t help but to hide my blush behind my cocktail. He was listening when I was talking about my job, and he almost sounded proud?
“A PhD and you’re hanging out with these two?” Lincoln says, and his wife jams her elbow into his stomach.
“What he means to say is that’s really nice. Do you take the summers off?” Penny says.
“I do. It’s been really nice. Though I’m excited about the new semester. What about you? What do you all do?” I ask, trying to take the conversation off of me.
“I’m a stay at home mom, Lincoln is in commercial building,” Penny says. She keeps talking though all I can hear is my heartbeat. How did I not pick this up before with the name of the bar? Carlson Marina and Bar, Carlson Commercial.
Carlson Commercial has been the bane of Will’s existence since he started his company. I keep that information to myself as I listen on.
“I have my own promotional products company and Aiden owns a sports supply company, though he was a professional MLB player in another life,” Jessa says, holding Aiden’s hand.
“So entrepreneurism kinda runs in the family?” I say, and Ben gives me a squeeze.
“I guess you could say that. Need another drink?” he asks.
I swore to myself that I was going to take it easy tonight. There’s no way I’m falling on the front concrete of this property ever again, but given the current company, I cave. I need liquid courage being around these people.
“Please,” I say, as he gets up and asks anyone else if they want anything before heading over to the bar.
“I’m sorry,” Gavin whispers in my ear and I turn toward him.
I can still feel his family’s gaze on us, even if they’re trying to be discreet.
“I could’ve come another time if you didn’t want me to meet your brothers.”
Gavin’s brow furrows, and he shakes his head. “I don’t give a shit about that. They’re just a lot to take in. When I invited you I didn’t think about the fact I’d be putting you in that position. I just wanted you here.” He shrugs.
