Unexpected Connection

CHAPTER 12

I take a few steps back from Ian and turn my back. I am going to pretend like I didn't hear anything. I didn't hear him say he loves me, did not. What are we even talking about?  

    "Hey" Ian says tapping me.

    "Hi" I said.

    "Thanks for being here" he says.

    "Definitely" I say hugging him, "Thanks for bringing me" I add.

    "I just wanted to introduce the most important people in my life to each other" he says as we walk away. I peck his cheek and he smiles at me.

    "To your friends now?" I ask.

    "Yeah, we are having lunch with them" he says.

    "Why did you ask me to bring a casual wear if we're going to lunch?" I ask.

    "Cause we would be going to someone's house after lunch and I want you to be comfortable" he says and I smile.

    "I know nothing about them, tell me something" I tell him when we get into the car.

    "Well, I have known them since we were young" he starts.

    "Like Eli and I" I state.

    "Yes".

    "Names?" I ask.

    "Let's see, we have Ryan, Lucas, Axel, Hunter.... and Zach" he says. I am guessing, don't quote me but I think Gerald is the one Heather cheated on him with.

    "So Zach huh?" I ask.

    "Yeah, he's the one who is with Heather" he says. You can quote me now. "Heather would be there too". 

    "Wait, they are still together?" I ask and he nods. "Why are they coming?" I ask.

    "We've been friends for so long. Besides, I've moved on" he says holding my hand and I smile at him. 

    "I don't like cheaters" I tell him and look out the window.

The ride to the restaurant is comfortably quiet. I am in my head about meeting his friends, I want them to like me because they are important to Ian. I'd be nice and I hope they are nice too, if not this lunch is going to be a blood bath. Ian stops the car in front of the restaurant, 'The Pelican'. A valet comes forward and Ian hands him his keys. It's just lunch, Liliana, nothing to worry yourself about.

    "We can come some other time" I tell Ian and turn back. He holds me,

    "You've got this, bunny" he says. "No one is going to judge you in there".

    "They are all going to judge me in there" I tell him folding my hands.

    "Maybe, but just know I wouldn't leave you even if they judge you or don't like you" Ian says laughing. 

    "If you leave me because of them, I would hunt and kill them. I am good with an arrow" I tell him smiling.

    "I don't doubt you" he says and kisses my forehead.

    "I've got this" I tell him, "I am going to charm the heck out of them" I tell him and link my arm with his.

We walk in hand-in-hand and are taken to our table, I can see the group is here, except for Heather though. We are seated close to a window, the tables are combined to take our large group number, we are supposed to be twelve including Ian and I but ten since Heather and I want to assume Zach aren't here yet. There are four guys and four girls on the table. The guys are handsome especially one of them, he seems tall and the girl beside him, I am guessing wife since they have wedding bands on is beautiful. One of the other two girls look like the handsome one so I am guessing sister, she's pretty. The third one is also pretty and it's easy to know which of the guys she is with. I know you are wondering how I know, she has a wedding band and one of the guys has one too. I made you think I was a psychic, right?

    "Hey guys" Ian greets when we reach the table. There is a response of heys and waves from the table.

    "This is Lily, my girlfriend" Ian introduces. First time he's called me his girlfriend, I like it. I smile and wave at them innocently. What I am innocent and quiet. Sheesh. 

    "I'm Mae and this is Ava and Raina my bestfriends" the beautiful lady married to the handsome one says pointing to the girls. Raina is the sister of the handsome one. "I love that she has like our eyes" Mae says to her husband who nods and smiles. 

    "Nice meeting you" I say smiling.

    "I am Ryan" the handsome one says standing, he is as tall as Ian. "Mae's-"

    "Husband" I complete and he smiles.

    "Did you tell her?" Mae asks Ian.

    "Your rings" I answer and they laugh.

    "I'm Ava and this Lucas" Mae's bestfriend says.

    "The husband" I say nodding.

    "I'm Raina, my husband isn't here. Busy" Ryan's sister says.

    "Ryan's sister, I'm guessing" I tell her and she nods.

    "Wow, she's smart" one of the other guys says while standing up and stands beside me. He is as tall as Ian and Ryan, handsome too. Jaws that could cut glass. 

    "Thank you" I say smiling at him.

    "Can you guess who I am? I bet you'd never know" he says so sure of himself.

    "Hundred bucks says she guesses" one of the handsome on says. I look at the guy and smile.

    "You're on" the sure guy says.

    "No betting" Raina says.

    "Be matured guys" Mae says.

    "You'd make her uncomfortable" Ava says.

    "They can bet" I say and the two guys smile, "But I want in" I add. 

    "What would it be?" the guy sure of himself says.

    "You gonna pay me and handsome here two hundred bucks each if I guess right" I say pointing at the guy who started the bet.

    "Handsome?" Ian says looking at me with amusement.

    "Yeah but not as handsome as you" I say putting my hand on his jaw.

    "Hey" the bet guy says pouting.

    "Okay, I'd pay you two if you guess right".

I look at him and smile, "Hunter?" I say and his mouth drops.

    "No way" he says. "How did you know?" he asks.

    "Well he looks like a Axel and that would make you Hunter" I say pointing to the guy who started the bet. "Where's my money?" I ask wiggling my fingers, palm out. Axel stretches his hand too. Axel is handsome too. How is everyone here either handsome or beautiful? 

    "I really really like her" Axel says when Hunter buts the bills in his hands. "You are going to fit in" he adds and high fives me. I laugh as I high five him.

    "I'm Ollie. I'm with Hunter" the last girl in the group says.

    "Hi" I greet smiling.

    "Here" Ian says directing me to my seat, he pulls out my chair for me.

    "Thank you" I say smiling at him. I notice everyone is staring at us.

    "What?" Ian asks rolling his eyes and shrugging.

    "What's wrong?" I ask.

    "Well, Ian has never pulled out a chair for any of the girls he's dated before" Mae says and the group agree. I look at Ian and he looks away.

    "Why?" I ask.

    "Says he'd only do so for a girl he meets who deserves it" Ryan answers.

    "I guess he met the girl" Axel says. I smile and hold Ian's hand under the table. He looks at me and smiles.

    "Where did you go all dressed up?" Lucas asks Ian.

    "Went to meet my parents" Ian answers and I nod along.

    "Ian looks just like them" I say and Hunter spits his water out.

    "Careful" I say and his girlfriend pats his back.

    "Ian took you to meet his parents?" Axel asks.

    "Yes, this morning" I answer and the group stares at me. 

    "What is wrong?" I ask.

    "Well..." Axel starts.

    "Ian said he'd only take the girl he's-" Ava is cut short by Ian's excess dramatic cough. I shake my head at him. He doesn't know I heard him tell his parents'.... I forget what. 

    "Heather isn't here" I say trying to distract the group. I don't Ian to tell me he loves me when he's friends are here. Dang it, I said I'd forget.

    "You know Heather?" Ollie asks.

    "She's goes to school with Ian" Hunter says.

    "Yeah, forgot for a minute" Ollie says apologetically.

    "What do you think about her?" Raina asks and the group looks at me. 

    "She's the best" I say through my teeth and smile.

    "Hmm Hmm" Ava says.

    "That was almost believable" Ian says and we all laugh.

    "What's so funny?" a guy says and I look up. There's a guy standing with Heather. Zach. He's arms are on Heather's waist.

I haven't met Zach but I don't like Zach. If he can date Heather, says a lot about him. Zach waves at the group with a smile on his face, the creepy kind, not the good creepy. The kind of creepy that would hunt your dreams for years to come. 

    "Hey guys" Zach greets.

    "Hi" Hunter greets, the rest wave. Good thing, I'm not the only one who doesn't like him. I wonder why they all still hang around.

    "You must be Lily, the new girlfriend" Zach says walking to me. He walks like owns the place, not with confidence but ego. He seems entitled, I don't like entitled people.

    "And you must be the douche, Zach" I say and Axel snickers. "I'd say it's nice to meet you but that would be a lie" I whisper and then nod.

    "Told you, she's weird and rude" Heather says folding her arm.

    "Hi, Heather" I greet and wave. She rolls her eyes at me.

    "She's just trying to be nice" Ollie says, "No need to be rude" he adds.

    "Just shut it" Heather says.

    "Watch it, Heather" Hunter says protectively. 

    "Whatever" she says. "Hi, Ian. Sit with me" she adds.

    "Again like in class" I whisper and Axel smiles, he heard me. 

    "Just sit" Ryan says and Heather sits in front of me. 

We finally order since the group is here. The waiter brings our wines, first and after a few minutes, the meals came out. I haven't started eating long when I feel a leg being rubbed on my leg, I see Heather looking at Ian seductively. Oh, I see what's happening, she things she's rubbing Ian's leg. 

    "That's my leg, Heather" I say and she glares at me. "You are rubbing my leg not Ian's" I add and stare at her.

    "My bad" she says and I don't fell her legs anymore. She looks at Ian.

    "Heather, stop it" Ian says and she just smiles.

     "Can you stop rubbing your feet on my man's leg!" I shout at Heather, "Your boyfriend or whoever he is, is beside you. Rub his leg" I add and Axel laughs.

    "I told you Ian would soon leave you and come back to me" Heather says.

    "Ian took Lily to meet his parents" Mae says and Heather glares at me like she would kill me.

    "You took her to meet them?" she asks angry.

    "Did he take you to see them?" Axel asks and by the look on his face, I know the answer. Heather glares at him. 

I look over at Ian, "You never took her to meet them?" I ask.

    "No" he answers.

    "She never met them before they died too" Hunter says.

    "I cannot believe you took this cheap, weird looking and smelling girl to meet your parents" Heather says.

    You have something on your hair, let me get it for you" I tell Heather and stretch my hand to her hair. But here is the thing, I accidentally knocked her red wine on her white dress.

    "What the heck, Lily" he shouts standing up. Her whole front is covered in red. She uses the hand towel to dab her dress.

    "Oh no, it was an accident" I say one by one. Ian shakes his head beside me.

    "I told you all she's crazy" Heather says and walks to the bathroom in a huff. Shouting at the waiter that passed her.

    "Let me help" I say and run after her.

    "Don't touch me" she shouts when I get to the bathroom.

    "Woah, easy. Just trying to help" I tell her holding my hands up.

    "If you want to help, leave Ian alone" she says.

    "No can't do, love. Let me tell you a secret" I look around the empty bathroom, "I like him, like a lot" I whisper to her and she screeches. "What was that for?" I ask still blocking my ears.

    "If you don't let him go, I would take him by force" she threatens. 

I walk up to her slowly and whisper, "Try it, I dare you". I step back, "Even if Ian says he doesn't want me anymore, I am not going anywhere. You already know I am crazy" I tell her and walk to the door. "By the way, that stain would never leave" I add and walk out the door.

    "I hate you, Lily" I hear her. I open the door and walk back in, not stopping till I was so close to her.

    "I told you it's Liliana" I tell her glaring. She gulps and I leave the bathroom. I walk back to the group. Zach doesn't look worried about Heather at all.

    "I am sorry about ruining lunch but I think we'd have to leave, the stain wouldn't leave her dress" I tell them. "I feel so bad because it's all my fault" I add looking sad. 

    "Oh, it's not your fault, it was an accident" Mae says and I nod.

    "We'd go now, let's go to our place" Ryan says and everyone agrees. 

    "I'd tell Heather" Ava says and leaves the table. Ryan calls the waiter and asks for the bill.

    "It wasn't an accident, was it?" Ian whispers to me.

    "Of course not, the red wine and the white dress was just staring at me" I say and shrug.

    "This is why I lo- like you" he says. "I like you very much" he emphasizes. I look at him and peck his cheek.

    "I like you very much too" I tell him.

A few minutes later, we leave the restaurant and a while after, Ian parks the car in front of Mae and Ryan's home. It is a beautiful home and only gets better as we walk in. The foyer is amazing. 

    "Welcome to our home" Mae says as we walk in.

    "It's a lovely home" I compliment. We all pile into the living area and I love the high ceiling and glass wall. 

    "Who's up for a swim?" Ava asks and we all raise our hands.

    "I'd join you later. I want to check up on Ziva" Mae says.

    "Ziva is our daughter" Ryan explains to me. 

    "I didn't know that. Can I meet her or is that too soon?" I ask. I love kids.

    "Oh, it's fine. Follow me" Mae says. 

I follow her and Raina and a few minutes later we walk into the cutest baby room I have ever seen. There is an elderly woman inside playing with two kids. A boy and a girl.

    "I didn't know you had two" I say.

    "The boy is mine" Raina says.

I run to the kids smiling. I love kids, Oh, I've told you that.

    "They are so cute" I say cooing at them.

    "That's Ziva and Shep" Raina says.

    "Such cute names" I say gushing over them.

    "I'm Suzie" the elderly lady introduces.

    "I am so sorry, got carried away. Lily, I'm with Ian" I introduce myself.

    "Ian, huh" she says and I nod.

    "She's not like Heather" Mae tells her.

    "Ugh, we don't like Heather, do we. No we don't, she's the worst" I tell the kids in my baby voice. "The worst" I add and the kids laugh.

    "They like you" Raina says.

    "I am likeable" I tell her smiling and they all laugh. 

After playing with the kids, I change to the bikini I brought along with me, Its a black two piece suit with high waist bottoms. I join the guys outside by the pool. 

    "Lily you look hot" Zach said. Wow, he's a big douchebag.

Ian comes out of the pool when he sees me and carries me. I wrap my leg around his waist. He is bare chested only has his swim trunks on.

    "Zach is-" I start.

    "A douche, dirt bag" Ian continues.

    "Yes"

    "I know" Ian says and smiles. "You look so good right now" he says and kisses me. I laugh into him.

    "New rule, no show of affection beside me" Axel says sulking in the water. He's the only without a partner. Raina's husband, Larson has joined us. 

    "Fine" Mae says and I get off Ian.

I hold Ian's hand and jump into the water dragging him along. 

    "Who's up for a game?" I ask.

    "What game"

    "Volleyball?" Hunter asks.

    "Watermelon push" I tell them with a smile.

    "How does that work?" Raina asks and I explain the rules of the game.

Some of you might not have heard of it so let me explain, you get a watermelon and place it in the water and then you have to push it from one end to the other. Sounds simple enough right? Well, you cannot use your hands. How about now? Less simple right? Yeah, that's what I thought. For a more challenging game, your feet cannot touch the floor.

We got the watermelons and start playing, a lot of watermelons in the pool, good thing the pool is huge. the size of the pool is also a problem because it's not easy pushing a watermelon under water without the use of hand. It's hard but Ryan wins the game. 

    "That was awesome" Ollie says.

    "And hard" adds Axel, everyone agrees.

    "Do you know another game?" Ava asks and I think.

    "Scavenger hunt?" I ask and they agree. Mae and I go around the house looking for things we can put at the bottom on the water, wasn't easy because for this game, you have to have two of each things you put under the water. 

    "All players turn around" I tell them. They already divided themselves to two teams. Ian, Ollie, Axel and Ava are on one team while Ryan, Lucas, Raina and Hunter are on the other. Heather and Zach are lounging on the chair not participating and Mae and I are the self appointed judges. Mae and I scatter the things all over the pool floor and get out the water when we are done. 

    "You can look now" I tell them and they turn around.

    "One....Two...Three. Search" Mae says and they all dive. Mae and I sit on the edge of the pool. watching them squirm looking for the stuffs. It takes a while but Ian's team wins.

    "We need a tie breaker now" Ryan says.

    "I didn't know it's a competition" Ollie says.

    "It's always a competition" I answer and Ryan smiles at me.

    "What's the tie breaker?" Ian asks.

    "Duck push" I tell them.

***

Remember when they said the last game is the tie breaker? Yes? It wasn't. We played so many games after like atomic whirlpool, belly flops, invisi-bottle, follow the leader, sharks and minnow and F-I-S-H. A lot right? I am not done. Props were brought in, we also played bumper balls, noodle joust, floatie race, chicken and finally the classics, volleyball. My skin is one big prune. We just had dinner and are chilling in the living area now. I already changed out of my wet swim suit and I am in a simple short and t-shirt. I excuse myself to use the powder room and when I get back, Heather is sitting beside Ian holding his arm. Zach is still on his phone texting who I am sure is a girl. Heather and him, they fit each other. I walk over at Heather and Ian.

    "I'm talking to Ian, find another seat" Heather says.

    "What are you talking about?" I ask feigning interest. I sit down on Ian's laps and remove Heather's hand from Ian.

    "I haven't know Lily that long but I know for sure that I like her" Axel says.

    "Me too" Ollie says.

    "We are listening" I tell Heather gesturing for her to continue.  

    "Like I was saying" Heather says, "Leave this brat and come back to me".

    "You mean Zach, I know right. He really should leave that phone and come back to you" I say nodding, "I am sure he's talking to another girl on the phone" I whisper.

    "I am talking about Ian" she says glaring at me. 

    "Oh" I say faking realization, "That's not going to happen. He's mine now and the only thing that'd separate us is death" I tell her and Ian nods.

    "I'm in this relationship" he says pointing to me and him, "For life" He whispers. 

    "See, I told you that even if Ian says he wants to leave me, he can't" I whisper to Heather.

    "Oh my gosh, Ian found his equal" Mae says watching the Ian and I talk to Heather.

    "He finally found someone has crazy as he is" Ava says.

    "I'm just gonna say it-" Raina says.

    "They are made for each other" Axel completes.

    "Yes, they are soulmates" Larson adds.

    "See, I told you I think you're my soulmate" Ian tells me and I kiss him. At least I was till someone pulls me by my hair.

    "What the heck, Heather" I shout.

    "Leave Ian alone" she screeches. I release my hair from her death grip.

    "Would you shut up, there are babies in the house" I tell her. 

    "I hate you!" she screams lunging at me. I side step avoiding her. "Fight me for Ian" she say sand I laugh.

    "Oh my gosh, you're serious" I say seeing her face, "You want me to beat you up for Ian?" I ask, "Is that what you really want, I should beat you up?" Axel laughs when he hears me say beat you instead of fight.

    "Are you scared?" she asks and I laugh.

    "No but you should be" I tell her.

    "She sounds so confident, can she fight?" I hear Raina ask Ian.

    "I haven't seen her fight but-" Ian says.

    "What?" Axel asks.

    "She knows regular throw a punch boxing and Kickboxing" Ian says. "And runs a underground street race, not relevant but now you know"

    "Where can I get my own copy?" Axel asks.

    "Only one of her?" Ian says and I wink at him. Heather lunges at me again and this time I grab her hand and flip her over my shoulder. 

    "Woah" everyone shouts when she lands with a thud. 

    "And she's down for the count" Lucas says when Heather squirms on the floor but doesn't get up.

    "Who's down?" Zach asks and then sees Heather on the floor. "Did she fall?" he asks and we all stare at him. His he kidding me? He doesn't wait for an answer as his phone chimes and he walks away to reply whatever text he got.

    "He's the worst" Axel and I say at the same time then high five.

    "So you play a lot of sports huh?" Hunter asks when we all seat down, We leave Heather on the floor.

    "Yeah, I come from a big sports family. Asher, Eli and I play lots of sports" I tell him.

    "Who's Eli?"

    "Who's Asher?"

Larson and Ryan ask different questions as the same time. 

    "Asher is my twin, Eli's my best friend. He, Asher and I grew up together. Like you guys" I tell them.

    "Ian, Eli is a boy" Axel says, he and Hunter laugh.

    "I know, I've met him" Ian says rolling his eyes which only made Hunter laugh harder.

After a lot of talking and laughing, I got to know the group a lot better before Ian and I decide to leave. A moment later, we are all outside, Shep is in his car seat, Zach has carried Heather into his car and we all say our goodbyes and drive off.

Today is an awesome day.

When Ian is parked in my driveway, he opens the car door for me.

    "Thanks for today" I tell Ian when I get down, "I had so much fun today" 

    "Really?" he asks and I nod.

    "I loved meeting your family" I say to him and peck his cheek.

    "Lily" Ian calls me. I look back and see he's opened up his hands, I walk into them giving him a hug.

    "Thanks for being mine" he says and I melt into him.