“Rowan?” a small, timid voice speaks from behind me.
I jump in my chair, and Rowan tenses slightly from beside me. He stands, turning to face the woman standing there.
She’s about my height and has long black hair and wide green eyes. She looks so much like Rowan that I’d be able to see they’re related without a single introduction.
“Mom,” he greets, and when she hugs him, it’s a bit stiff.
“Thank you for meeting with us. We missed you,” she mumbles.
Behind her is a large man. He stands even taller than Rowan with his dark hair and darker eyes, his mouth slightly turned up at the corner. Rowan has the same nose as his father.
“Son,” the man says, patting Rowan’s shoulder.
“Hey, Dad. Uh, this is Elijah. My boyfriend.”
He peers down at me, and I’m quick to stand and turn toward them. Two sets of assessing, emotionless eyes turn onto me at once, and I find my anxiety spiking.
“Hello! It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” That’s a lie, and by their expressions, I can tell that they know it.
“Yes, nice to meet you, Elijah,” his mother says. “I’m Teresa, and this is Harold.”
Harold reaches forward and shakes my hand, and his tight grip does nothing to soothe my nerves.
“Where is Ramon?” Rowan asks.
“Right here,” A soft, deep voice sounds, and from behind Harold pokes out a head.
Light brown hair and matching brown eyes, this boy looks nothing like Rowan. He looks younger and softer.
A slow, bright smile spreads out over his thin lips as he looks over his brother, and for some reason, it makes me incredibly happy.
“Good to see you, big bro. You’re jacked now.”
When I turn to look at him, all of Rowan’s anxiety seems to have faded. He’s grinning, green eyes twinkling as he takes in the sight of Ramon.
“Can’t believe the Army didn’t put more meat on your bones,” Rowan jokes.
“Already picking fights, eh?”Ramon shoots back playfully.
“Shall we sit?” Teresa asks, and I find that she’s smiling slightly now as well.
Rowan’s parents sit on the other side of Rowan, and his brother plops down in the chair next to my dad.
“Um, this is my family, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander,” I say, introducing each one of my family members one by one.
Everyone says their pleasantries, and it’s not long before a loud chatter is spread over the table as several different conversations are pursued at once.
It’s obvious who is related to whom; my family dominates every conversation, and Rowan’s consistently looks to be overwhelmed. Other than Ramon, who seems to have taken quite a liking to Jeff.
“Jeff, if you eat a whole spoonful of this hot sauce, I’ll give you five dollars,” Ramon bargains, smirking from down the table.
“Ramon!” Teresa glares.
“You’re on, baby bro!” Jeff cackles, grabbing his silverware.
A minute later, Mom is chasing down Kandi to request a cup of water, and Ramon is coughing up five dollars.
“This is going well,” I mutter to Rowan, who laughs quietly.
