Losing You

Chapter 11

Delilah

After the cake, I am pulled in for family pictures and other activities that my aunts have planned for my cousin's birthday. The women always go all out for each one of us. Our birthdays, we are all made to feel special. Birthdays are like a personal holiday in my family. I'm surprised they haven't thought of adding a parade. They literally go all out. Even when I didn't want to celebrate, my family never took no as an answer. They still showed up. My family made me celebrate, and I am glad they did.

We all play games while aunt Victoria films and takes pictures. I snap some selfies with my favorite cousin, Rose. She is my aunt Vanna's oldest daughter. We hang out for a bit, before she leaves to snuggle up with her boyfriend.

I actually let loose, and I am really enjoying myself. I spend time with all of my aunts and cousins. I am happy I came today. Although work keeps me away from a lot of family time, I am happy when I do get to spend time with everyone. My family has been our rock now that mom and I are alone, and I am so appreciative towards them for never leaving us alone to deal with the situation. I love them all so much.

I find my grandpa talking to Venom from across the room. I have a chance to check him out. Like really check him out, without him noticing. I don't think I have ever met a man like him. He seems so different, and he is fine a$$ f*ck. He is tall, thick and has muscles that are big, but not too big. "Damn, that new guy is smoking hot," my younger cousin Emilee tells me. She plops down right next to me and gives Venom dreamy eyes.

I snap my fingers in front of her face. "Excuse me. Those eyes better look somewhere else before your dad sees you," I chuckle, but seriously, my uncle Julian is crazy, and he will flip if he finds out his daughter is starting to be boy crazy. She is only 14, so she needs to relax.

"I'm just making an honest observation. I'm not trying to marry the guy. Don't worry. I saw you two walk in together. I know he's yours. I just wanted to tell you that you have great taste, and he's nice." She puts her finger to her lips and looks around, then she tells me to come closer. "Plus, I heard him tell Grandpa that he has never met a woman as amazing as you. He asked for permission to take you out tonight and to get to know you more," My eyes widen. She jumps off the bench and flips me off. "That's all b1tch," she says before she walks away. My heart is racing. Is she just f*cking with me?

"Delilah," I turn, and my mother stands there, watching me. F*ck. Did she hear us? I don't want Emilee to get scolded. "Hi mom. Are you having fun?" I walk towards her. She smiles and nods, but her face betrays her. I think the one reason family events are hard is that everyone shows up with their couple, and now mom has to show up all alone. The sadness in her eyes hurts me so much.

"I think I am going to go hang out with Bryant for a bit. Do you need anything from me before I leave?" She shakes her head. "I've been watching you both. He has been respectful and seems kind, and he isn't shy about talking to the family. Look at him with dad and the rest of the men." I turn and he is laughing with them all. "He looks like he's having a good time, and like he belongs." At that moment, his eyes find mine, and he smirks.

He tells the men something, then shakes all of their hands and walks over to me. "Mam, is it okay for me to take your daughter out on a date?" My mom looks from him to me. "Mam? Do I look old to you?" We all burst out laughing. "No, of course not. I was just taught manners. No disrespect." Mom laughs and pats his arm. "I'm joking. Go have fun, and take care of my daughter, or I'll find you and steal your bike," I shake my head. "She's not joking. She will. You will never find your bike," mom gives me a hug and a kiss and leaves to spend time with her twin.

"Want to get out of here?" I nod, and he grabs my hand and pulls me through the side of the house and out. I don't even say bye to my family, but it's alright. I see them daily. Plus, they are all having fun. I know I won't be missed.

"Your family is something," he tells me as he puts the helmet on my head. "I warned you," I whisper shout, and Venom just chuckles. "Hey, no worries." I shake my head. "I'm so sorry," he smiles. "Don't be sorry. I didn't mean it in a bad way. Even if I got threatened by every single one of your family members, your family is amazing, and they all love you so much, and I love that for you. That's exactly how a family should be. Thanks for inviting me. I had a blast. I actually felt normal for once." Is he serious? If, by a blast, and normal, he means he got a dose of the Monster, then I guess so.

"I didn't really see you eat anything. How about we hit up the pier? Your uncle, Julian, actually said this is the place to be. He says he always brings his girls here," I smile. "That sounds like fun." My nieces love the pier. Their dad made them super competitive in the arcade games.

"We can walk around and grab a bite. Maybe you can show me around. What do you say?" I nod, feeling excited. I haven't been to the pier in years.