It’s Complicated But It Doesn’t Have To Be

16

Brock left the bathroom and bumped into Blake.

“You asshole.” He whisper yelled. What did you say to her?”

“I asked her if she slept with you.” He stated.

“Douchebag.” Brock said. “No we haven’t slept together. You could have just asked me. And if we ever do it’s none of your business, you made that perfectly plain, when we spoke about it, the next day.”

Just as Blake was about to say something, Elaine interrupted the whispering boys.

“What are you two up to? Where’s Melissa? I’m preparing lunch for us all. Then afterwards I thought we could play some games. Oh Blake will you go and help your father. And remind him of Melissa’s name. He keeps referring to her as Melinda. Honestly that man.”

Blake nodded and walked off to find his father.

“Brock” Elaine said pulling her son into the living room.

“I’m kind of hoping that you and Melissa will get together. That’s one reason I invited her.” Elaine said to her elder son.

“Mom. Seriously? Did you set this up?” Brock said

“I know how long it’s been since you had a girlfriend. I think you’d make a lovely couple.” Elaine hugged her son as Melissa walked back into the room.

“Lunch is at 12:30 sharp.” Elaine winked and walked off.

“What was that about?” Melissa asked

Sighing Brock ran his hands through his hair “I don’t know. Anyway fancy a drink?” He asked.

“Yeah okay I’ll have..” Melissa said

“Bourbon, no ice right?” Brock interjected.

“Yeah but with lunch I will have a glass of red wine.” Melissa laughed.

They spent the next 30 minutes, laughing and joking when Blake appeared and said “Mom said Lunch is ready. Move your asses and get something to eat.” Brock walked past him, and as Melissa went past him he whispered loud enough for only her ears.

“I’d like to eat you.” He grinned at Melissa who stared at his back as he left, because she’d heard what he had said. Following into the dining room after Blake. Elaine said “Ah Melissa, you’re here, inbetween Brock and Blake.” Melissa smiled and started to feel uncomfortable.

It wasn’t Elaine’s fault. She had decorated the dining room, with Christmas decorations, photos of the family adorned the wall, tinsel and fairy lights were everywhere. Even the big mahogany table was Christmassy.

No Melissa felt uncomfortable because she was thrown into confusion, she was developing feelings for Brock and her feelings for Blake were confusing. He was hot and cold. One minute he was moody the next he was flirty.

She didn’t understand. Melissa was brought out of her reverie by Tony asking her “What do you do for a living, Melinda?”

“It’s Melissa, Tony and I told you she’s the CEO of Hartford industries where I work.” Elaine corrected him.

“Ah so you’re CEO then? What’s that like?” He asked

“Busy. Stressful no two days are the same.” Melissa replied honestly.

Elaine had disappeared, Melissa angry at Blake excused herself from the table entering the kitchen on the premise of helping.

“Elaine is there anything I can help you with?” Melissa asked

“Oh gosh dear no. You’re our guest.” She said.

“Please allow me to help.” Melissa said.

“Okay can you take the vegetables through please?” Elaine asked.

Grabbing one tray with four bowls of peas, carrots, cauliflower and cabbage on, Melissa made her way through to the dining room.

As she laid the tray on the table, she began taking the metal dishes off the tray.

“Ooooh carrots, seaweed, boogers and white trees.” Tony announced “my favourite.”

Melissa laughed at Tony’s description, she decided she liked him, he was funny and had funny descriptions for things. Melissa did wonder how he went on in the world.

Elaine came in and brought in her special meal she had cooked “Ok. This is everything.” I’ve cooked this in honour of our British guest. It’s called a shepherds pie.” Elaine announced proudly.

Melissa took a seat smiling a frozen smile, and Brock offered her some wine,unknowingly to him Blake had one hand on Melissa’s thigh.

She had a smile frozen in place, her heart was in her mouth, she was both angry and confused, as she served up some of Elaine’s delicious meal, onto her plate. Brock offered the wine, and looks suspicious. Knocking his napkin onto the floor the bent over to pick it up, he noticed Blake’s hand on her thigh.

Brock quickly picked it up but as he did so he pinched Blake’s hand, causing him to yelp. Earning him a smug smile from Brock. And a “Really boys?” From their mum, as if this is all old hat to them.

“So Andrea, is there a boy or girl you like at school?” Melissa asked relived and saddened that Blake’s hand had been removed and quickly put it back in place.

Brock flicked mashed potatoes at his brother. Who had to remove himself from the table to clean himself up.

Brock’s hand gently squeezed Melissa’s leg to show support. Before removing his hand. She couldn’t concentrate on what Andrea was saying. Before Blake came back, Brock had asked Melissa to pass him the salt, and he poured it into Blake’s red wine. Blake came back, as he walked by Melissa to his seat and he sat down.

Tony asked Melissa “So Melinda, do YOU have a boyfriend?”

Melissa nearly choked on the wine she was drinking. Blake let out a snort of laughter, as Brock’s hand sat slightly further up her thigh giving it a little of squeeze just to acknowledge he was on he side.

“No. I don’t. There was someone who I thought I could be with. But he just used me and ghosted me.”

“The bastard.” Tony said, “how could any guy do something like that to someone as lovely as you. I will have a knife fight with him.” He said picking up his knife and pretending to have a fight with an invisible figure.

“You’re sweet, Tony. Thank you.” Melissa side eyes Blake who looks a little uncomfortable.

‘Good. He should look uncomfortable.’ Melissa though as Blake took a big gulp of wine only to spit it out.

Brock smiled and said “Something wrong brother?”

Blake smiled a sinister smile “No brother nothing wrong.” And he replaced the hand on Melissa’s other thigh but his fingers crept round to the inside of her thighs. Staying away from her p***y, he was gently stroking. Grabbing her fork off the table, Melissa covertly stabbed Blake in the hand with the handle of the fork.

Not leaving a mark, but enough he winced in pain gaining a look from everyone at the table.

Elaine clapped her hands together gently. “Right now lunch is finished, I’ve got some games I’d like to play.”

Blake rolled his eyes and said “Mom aren’t we a bit old for games?”

“Come on Blake.” Elaine said “You’re never too old for games.”

As Melissa helped Brock to clear the table and loaded the dishwasher, Elaine, Blake, Tony and Andrea moved into the living room to discuss games.

“My mom is so obvious.” Brock said suddenly, snapping Melissa back into the present, she'd be lost in her thoughts about what happened at the dinner table, did Blake still want her? But what about Brock? She found herself starting to fall for him the same way she did his brother. "Brock, what do you mean?" She asked, giving Brock a conflicted look. Brock paused, he was going to tell her about what his mother said, he knew what Elaine was up to, his mother had a big heart, she invited Melissa for two reasons, one was because she was alone at Christmas, Elaine hated the idea of anyone being alone at Christmas, to the point she’d invited weird uncle Al, who did nothing but complain, about everything even the weather, and the second reason was to set up Melissa and Brock, it had been three years since he’d had a girlfriend, and he hadn’t really dated, his mother wanted her children happy and often “helped” to set them up on dates.

He was trying to test the waters, he started off wanting to be her friend, and even now he wanted that friendship to continue, but he wanted more. "I mean she's always like this with the games at Christmas time even though we...." Brock continued to talk, but Melissa was again distracted by her own thoughts she continued to absent mindedly to stare at the sink. Her thoughts still conflicted. Her feelings were muddled, her heart was thrown into confusion. Unconsciously her face reddened as she thought about Brock and didn't notice he was behind her. It was only when Brock put a gentle hand on the tap to turn it off did she turn around to face him trying desperately to remember anything he was talking about but she couldn't, all she could do was look into his eyes.

Stuck between the sink and Brock’s muscular chest against her back, he turned her around slowly to look at him.

“These past few weeks we’ve spent together have been the best.” He said his voice was deep and sexually charged.

“Me too.” Melissa managed to squeak out. The smouldering look on Brock’s face was turning her insides to butterflies, she felt a warmth growing in her lower stomach. She opened her mouth and let out a wordless gasp. She could feel the heat off his body.

His eyes seemed to darken, his lips mere centimetres away from hers, she almost leaned in to close the distance when they were disturbed by someone clearing their throat.

It was Elaine. “Ahem. Sorry, I just came to get a drink.” She said with a secretive smile on her face. Walking away with her drink she could feel an idea forming in her head.

Brock moved away from Melissa, she felt the cold of the air surrounding her after his warm body moved away.

Finishing up they joined the others in the living room, Elaine was sat in the armchair, a tower of board and card games by her side on the floor. Andrea was sitting on the floor next to her mum, Tony was sat at the opposite end of the coffee table, Blake sat on a dining room chair he appeared to be sulking.

Elaine’s expression lit up as the two entered.

“You two are on the couch.” She stated.

Sitting down on the couch, Brock asked “What are we playing first mom?”

“Hmmmm let’s see.” Elaine said. Brock looked at his mother, ‘Like she hasn’t already thought about it.’ But didn’t say anything, just raised an eyebrow in her direction.

“Let’s play charades.” Elaine declared a square box in her hands, placing it on the table, she said “We can play in teams. Me and Dad, Blake and Andrea and Brock and Melissa.”

Opening the box she put pencils, paper and charade cards in their own box on the table.

Blake locked eyes with Brock who smirked and raised an eyebrow, putting an arm around Melissa’s shoulders. Giving her a friendly side hug, before saying and letting his arm drop “We’ll smash it.” He said and Melissa turned her head and said “You bet. By the way I get super competitive.” Melissa said with a laugh.

Andrea complained “Why do I have to be with Blake? He’s terrible at this game. Why can’t I be on a team with Melissa?”

Elaine said with finality “Because I said so.”

Smiling kindly Melissa offered “We can team up, on the next game if you want?” Andrea seemed satisfied with that.

They rolled a dice that had been left in there last time. “Highest number goes first, then the next and the lowest last.” Elaine declared.

Blake rolled for their team and got a 1, Andrea scoffed about her brother not being able to do that right, Tony got a 3, “Ok Melissa all we have to do is beat three.” Brock said “Do you want to roll?”

Melissa picked up the smooth red dice. Shaking it in her hand, she rolled it on the table, “6 yes.” Brock declared.

And with that the game started.

“Ok so which one of you is going to act it out first.” Elaine asked

“Brock can, I’m happy guessing.” Melissa smiled, Brock chuckled and grabbed a card. Standing in front of the people seated he took a look at the card.

“Oh you have to do it within in a minute.” Elaine said grabbing a small hourglass. Brock looked at the card.

FILM

DEADPOOL

Brock grinned, he knew this was one of Melissa’s favourite films, they’d talked and laughed about it, even quoting bits of the film, that brought them into fits of laughter.

Elaine said “Ready and......go.”

Brock started to do the gestures for charades

“It’s a film.” Melissa responded. Brock nodded.

He held up one finger “One word.” She said

Thinking he split the word into syllables, by tapping two fingers on his bicep.

“Two syllables” came Melissa’s response

He tapped his arm again “second syllable.”

He mimicked swimming.

“Swim? dive? water? drowning? Pool?” Melissa said Brock shook his head after each one except the last which he nodded.

“Deadpool” Melissa said. Brock didn’t even have mine the first syllable.

“Yes.” Brock said. With a few seconds to spare Brock and Melissa started off by getting points.

The game carried on in the same vein, for three hours.

Elaine announced “and the winners with 31 points, is......Brock and Melissa.”

Elaine got up and continued “Right it’s 5:00 I’m going to prepare a sandwich for dinner. Does anyone want one?”

“No thank you. I’m still full from lunch.” Melissa explained.

Brock agreed, Blake said he’d like a sandwich and was promptly asked to come give his mother a hand. Before she left to get something to eat, Elaine told them “Don’t worry, I will feed the dogs. Would you like to show Melissa where she will be sleeping.”

“Actually I need to take Storm and Sully for a walk. Would...” Melissa stated.

“Perhaps Brock would go with you? Because you may get lost being new to our neighbourhood” Elaine said looking her elder son directly in the eye.

Melissa took her coat that Brock had been holding, as she handed him the leashes. Putting on her coat, is difficult with two large dogs, itching to get out on their walk, she reached into the deep pockets pulling out her matching grey cashmere gloves, scarf and hat which she treasured not for because they were cashmere but a gift for her birthday last year from Ryan, he always knew what she needed or wanted, and he always had good taste in clothes for others.

As she finished putting on her gloves Brock opened the door, handing back Storm’s lead he held the door open as they stepped out into the cold December afternoon.

It was already dark out, the surrounding area being illuminated by numerous hanging pretty Christmas decorations and street lights. 

Brock and Melissa walk down the street. Sully and Storm slightly out in front of them. Sniffing at all the new smells occasionally lifting their legs on the lampposts which bring the couple to a stop, only for them to carry on, after a few seconds of the dogs deciding that the smell is not worth following up.

There is a comfortable silence between them, as they pass nicely decorated houses and now closed stores, it’s only broken when Brock tells Melissa about certain things that happened in specific places.

“This is where I broke my leg when i was 15.” Brock said pointing at a plaza that had a statue of a unicorn in bronze, rearing up, on a plinth, surrounding it is stairs that lead down to a fountain, and railings.

Brock continued on “I was a bit of a skater when I was younger. And I was trying to do an Ollie, and instead I fell, landing on my leg. It snapped in two places. I was in plaster for 8 weeks.” He chuckled at the memory.

They walked a bit further “Oh this used to be where Mrs Muggeridges cat used to hiss at us. When we were young we used to throw pebbles at it. It was a horrible thing. You only had to walk past it and it would scratch you.”

They enter the park, there are a small smattering of people all round all walking their dogs or going home from work.

The park is mainly open, with bright lights all round its very well lit, lots of green grass which now has white tips where it looks like it’s had the touch of a frost.

The dogs start to pull, they are desperate to try and find friends in the park. But Melissa doesn’t let either of them off the lead. Although she knows that Storm and Sully are dog friendly, she’s not so sure about other dogs.

Keeping them on the lead they do a full circuit where Melissa learns at the bottom of the hill is a children’s playground, as they walk back up the path, and past a frozen stream, to get back onto the circuit they walk up onto a little wooden bridge. Brock says “This is where Blake and I discovered the meaning behind the name of our town. We were on a field trip and Blake....” Brock looks at Melissa as he talking animatedly and when he mentions Blake’s name he sees Melissa visibly wince.

“Oh god. I’m sorry Melissa. I’m sorry for the way my brother treated you.” He said as they both came to a stop, little lanterns dug into the ground, lit up the stream, it was a beautiful sight. The dogs sit down for a minute, all the pulling they did has made them out of breath.

Brock continues speaking “You didn’t deserve to be treated like that.” Melissa turns away staring far off into the distance as if looking at something tiny on the horizon, then she said “I just wished he’d said something, instead he ghosted me.”

Brock looks at Melissa for what seems like an age, after about five minutes he holds her arm turning her to face him, “I can’t change what he’s done, but I can help you move on. Melissa I. I’m developing feelings for you, I really like you, I tried hard not too, I never set out to do so, I just wanted us to be friends, I believe that I should be honest. I really like you. And if it’s something you want we could give it a go between us, if you can’t because of the hurt you’re going through I understand, I just want to see you smile, especially the way you smile at me, when we’re watching a movie, or you’re eating ice cream, and saving none for me.” This brought a smile to Melissa’s lips. “That’s it. That’s the smile I want to see, to me it’s brighter than the sun, when you walk into a room I don’t see anything or anyone else.” As he finishes his declaration of love, a snowflake lands in Melissa’s hair, but neither of them see it. He looks into her eyes.

It’s like he can see right into her soul, Melissa tries to look anywhere else, tries to pull away from his loving gaze, it’s at that moment she realised she can’t. “Brock, thank you for telling me how you feel. And I will be honest too. Because you deserve that. At first I was happy to have found a friend in you. We like the same things, we have similar interests. As we started to get closer, I tried to stop thinking about you, but the more I did the harder it became, I tried to stop myself for developing feelings for you. Now standing here with this beautiful scenery, and you being honest I have to stop denying how I feel, I want to take a chance on you, on us, because if I don’t, I will look back and always wonder what if?” She looks back deep into his eyes, and then both of them move closer, before he puts his hand on her face, cupping her jaw, stroking her cheek with his free hand, gently and softly he brings his lips to hers in a sweet kiss.

As they break apart, their foreheads touch, and they both smile, looking at each other, wrapped up in their own little world as the snow falls around them.

Brock comes to the realisation as they both start to go cold. “We’d better be getting back, or Mom will send out a search party.”

Just as they’re about to walk off the little wooden bridge the dogs stand suddenly, noticing a little squirrel hopping close by the dogs zoom off after it pulling Melissa and Brock with them. “I think the dogs have other plans Brock” Melissa says squealing with laughter, the dogs barking as the squirrel disappears off up a tree, once the squirrel was confirmed dead (up a tree away from the big barking machines and the even bigger humans) they walk back to the house. Holding out his hand Melissa puts her gloved one into it. And they walk back the whole way holding hands. No talking, just happiness and contentment.

Brock turns to Melissa just before they reach the house “Melissa, do you want to tell my family about us? Or would you rather wait?”

Melissa fidgeted “Do you mind if we don’t tell them yet?” Brock fully understood where she was coming from. She wanted to get used to them as a couple first, before involving his relatives. Giving her a quick kiss on the cheek they walk towards the house dropping their hands at the last minute.

Little did either of the couple know they were being watched by the same car who had been following Melissa that very morning

It was getting close to seven pm when the two walked in. Getting in out of the cold December air, the two took off their coats, and the leads off the dogs, Brock shut them in the small living room, that was separate to the one the family were sitting in.

Elaine looked over to them when they walked in, “Hello lovely’s, are the dogs okay?”

“Yeah they enjoyed their walk and even chased a squirrel.” Melissa said laughing.

“It’s okay for you Sully pulled me into a bush.” Brock said with a smile.

“So we thought we’d have a few drinks, and perhaps play a few more games?” Elaine said.

“Before you do I have something for you.” Melissa disappeared into the kitchen and then returned five minutes later with the mince pies. “I Erm...... I made these for you guys, they are kind of a tradition in the U.K. we have them at Christmas and in my opinion they are delicious.” She said opening the biscuit tin, that she was holding, to show mince pies with icing sugar on top.

“You can eat them warm or cold, with cream or ice cream or just by themselves.” Melissa said as she passed round the tin.

Tony ate his in one go, “Yummy. I like these mini pies.”

“Mince pies dad.” Brock corrected him, eating his. He already knew he liked them as he had been official taste tester for Melissa when the two of them made the pies together.

Blake looked at the pie in his hand and sniffed “Don’t worry I haven’t poisoned them.”Melissa said smiling. ‘Not that I wouldn't if I could get away with it jackass' she mused to herself while handing out another pie.

Elaine bit into the pastry and smiled, “These are delicious. You must give me the recipe.”

Melissa smiled Andrea said “Can I save mine for later?” The girl asked not because she didn’t want to try it but she wanted it with ice cream and warmed in the microwave. She placed it in the fridge, with a note saying “Andrea’s keep your hands off, that means you Brock.”

The next few hours were filled with board games and laughter. There was a lull in the games, Brock showed Melissa to the basement room where Melissa would be staying. Before they joined the others Melissa leaned up and pressed a kiss to Brock’s cheek leaving him shocked as she walked up the stairs, joining the others.

The time finally came and the family went up to bed. Melissa used the bathroom, getting into the hot shower was doing wonders for her cold body, she hadn’t warmed up since getting back from walking the dogs. She just stood there and allowed the hot water, to run over her head, down her neck, and wash over her cold cold body.

Wrapping a towel around herself, she exited the bathroom, bumping into Brock, who was on his way up to his bedroom, “You know, it’s going to be difficult, not being able to be with you openly over Christmas.” he whispered. Smiling at him she said “I know. I’m sorry.” He smiled and looked into her eyes, he took half a step forward and said “Never be sorry for who you are. Okay. Goodnight.”

Melissa went downstairs to the basement, changing quickly into silk, pyjamas, and a fluffy towelling robe, she lay on the bed, Storm and Sully had been moved to the basement. They lay on the floor beside the bed ready to trip Melissa up should she get out to use the bathroom.

Melissa heard the ping of her mobile phone.

Brock - Goodnight sweetheart. See you tomorrow x

Melissa - Goodnight honey, see you tomorrow x

Settling down, Melissa tried to sleep, lying there, she tossed and turned. Before she sat up giving up on sleep, She checked social media, and watched a movie on her phone

Melissa looked at her phone, to see it was 2am.

Slowly getting out of bed, Melissa slipped her robe on, and tiptoed her away from the snoring dogs up the stairs towards the kitchen.

Before she went to bed Elaine had told her that if she wanted a drink in the night she could of course help herself and my home is your home.

Melissa decided to make some hot chocolate.

Warming the milk in the microwave, and adding the chocolate powder she stirred it.putting a few marshmallows that were in a mason jar on the counter. Taking the mug she walked towards the basement, but she saw a shadow on the porch, with her hot chocolate ready to be thrown at the would be intruder she put her hand on the handle let out a gasp when she discovered it was unlocked.

Opening it she saw Brock sitting on the steps of the wooden porch, camera in hand. “What the hell?” She said

“Hey you.” He said sweetly.

“I thought you were trying to break in.” She gasped recovering from the shock.

Laughing Brock responded “and what were you going to do coat me in chocolate?” He said pointing to the mug in her hands, “Or throw a marshmallow at me?”

She laughed shaking her head, it’s then she realised Brock was standing there in a pair of Avengers pyjamas.

“Nice pj’s” Melissa said.

Brock blushed “My mom brought them for my birthday last year. I leave them here for obvious reasons.”