A Brother's Love

Awkward Family Dinner

I was getting ready for the day, it was Monday and Jake and I would be heading out to attend to the flower shop. I wore a pale pink dress with see-through sleeves. The dress reached my knees while I paired it up with platform heels so I’d be comfortable throughout the day. Finishing my makeup which I kept neutral I jumped, meeting Easton’s gaze in the mirror.

“Easton!” I gasped.

“You look great.” He brushed my scare off like it was nothing, “You need to come downstairs with me. My parents turned up and my mother has been annoying me to meet the girl.” He gestured to me, “That would be you.”

I pointed at me, “That would be me.” I whispered.

Easton grinned, “You’re a great girl, Poppy. I underestimated you before but I’m sure my parents won’t be treating you like that. They’re also lovely people.”

I nodded, “I see, I see. So you’re the asshole of the family.

He gestured for me to come closer, “Come here and say it straight to my face.” He challenged me.

I raised a sharp eyebrow at him, “I did say it straight to your face.” I pointed out cheekily.

He made me squeal when he suddenly stepped to me, grabbed me by the waist and pressed his lips against mine. It was a harsh, punishing kiss yet a moan still left my lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my soft body against his firm one. His free hand rested upon my lower back and he slowly trailed it lower, resting it on my bum. His touch felt hot, burning right through my clothes and making me shift uncomfortably on my feet. I couldn’t get wet between the thighs when his parents were here. I pulled away and back up, bumping into the sink.

Easton chuckled, “You should fix your makeup and meet me downstairs.” He then left my ensuite and let me freshen up again.

I didn’t want his parents to see the hot mess I was right now. I freshened up, grabbed my jacket and bag and left the room. I met up with Easton and his parents in the living room, smiling shyly when all eyes fell on me. It was even worse than when I was being followed to answer questions about my relationship with Easton. The older woman stood up and approached me, her eyes were taking me in from head to toe. Her lips curled up to a smile so I assumed I passed some test she put me through.

“Nice to finally meet you, Poppy.”

“Nice to meet you too.” I quietly spoke up.

Easton grinned, “This is my mother Maria and my father Thomas.”

"Nice to meet you," I said in general.

Easton took in my state, “You should eat something before you head out.”

Maria looked surprised, “Oh, you’re off to work?”

"Poppy owns a flower shop," Easton informed his mother.

Maria then grinned at me. I think now she liked me even more, “I’d love to see it someday. I’m actually quite fond of arranging flowers. But since Tom and I are usually not at home it would be a waste to make those beautiful arrangements.”

"You travel a lot?" I asked her, though I already knew the answer to that. I was just making small talk with the woman who clearly didn't know I dated Alex before things got weird between Easton and I. It was probably best if she didn't find out either.

“Easton makes that possible for us.” She admitted to me, she then walked back to the couch and sat down next to her husband who was quietly sipping his coffee, “I have to admit that I bugged Tom about paying our son a visit since I saw a few photos of you online.”

Everyone was informed about our non-existent relationship. We didn’t make things official, I think Easton did it on purpose. But we couldn’t deny our relationship either. Especially not in front of his parents.

“I don’t think you should admit such a thing out loud.” Thomas laughed.

“True.” Easton agreed with his father, “Poppy, you can have breakfast. We’ll have dinner tonight so you can all get to know each other.”

I left the room when Easton gave me the opportunity to escape. I had a light breakfast and then left together with Jake, heading to the flower shop. I couldn’t focus when we opened shop. Jake had to step in a few times which was embarrassing considering he was new at this and didn’t take working at the flower shop seriously. He was present to protect me, yet today he had to become a serious shop assistant because I was living in my head. I owed him an apology.

***

Jake was driving me to the restaurant, it was a more laidback place where I didn’t have to worry about dressing up. I was once again zoning out when Jake cleared his throat to grab my attention.

“You need to calm down.” He told me, “They’re nice people.”

“I dated Alex and now I’m kind of involved with Easton. That is weird, Serena is right about that. I just didn’t want to tell her that. If Maria and Thomas find out they’ll think I’m insane. Hopping from brother to brother. It sounds disgusting.”

“You need to stop living in the past and focus on your future instead.”

“Easier said than done.” I met his gaze in the rear-view mirror.

Jake narrowed his eyes at me, “Just let Easton take charge. All you need to do is smile and eat your food.”

I smiled, “You know you’re my best friend now, right?”

He sighed, “When did I apply for that job?”

"It's not a job." I smiled at him, "You care about me, wanting to make me feel better when I'm down. You easily step in when I screw up and you are always there. That's best friend behavior, you know."

His eyes became more serious as he processed what I told him. He seemed to really think things through when I just said those things about him being my new best friend half-jokingly. I mean it was kind of true but I knew Jake would always be Easton’s employee. He’d always think of Easton first.

“Mr. Dehn-“

“Comes first.” I interrupted, “I know. That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

The rest of the ride was silent, Jake needed to think things through now. Easton and his parents were already seated, the hostess guided me to their table with a big grin spread across her face. She was overly kind but I didn’t focus on the grinning woman. I was overwhelmed when Easton stood up and kissed my cheek. We sat down and I faced his parents.

“Hello.” I greeted, still a little shy around these people.

“We ordered some appetizers first.” Maria gestured to the dishes on the table, “So dig right in. You must be hungry after such a long day on your feet.”

"It's been really tiring," I admitted.

“Then don’t be shy.” She giggled, “Go right ahead.”

As we ate good food and drank a few glasses of wine the conversation became more mellow. Maria and Thomas were talking about the places they’ve visited, everyone in a good mood when that changed because a determined looking Alex made his way to our table.

“Alex!” Maria greeted excitedly, getting to her feet and wrapping her arms around her youngest son.

Alex hugged her back, “Mom.” His eyes trailed to me, “It’s good to see you again.”

“Easton didn’t think you could make it.” Maria pulled out of the hug, “I’m so glad you could make it anyway.” She asked a passing by waiter for an extra chair and Alex sat down at the head of the table, “What would you like to drink?” Maria was fawning over her son as if he was still a child. It made me share a look with Easton.

“You look tired.” Maria paid only attention to her younger son which made thing quite awkward.

I leaned into Easton, “I get it now.” I whispered to him.

Apparently, I wasn't as quiet as I thought I was because Thomas who sat across Easton chuckled. He tried to cover it up by sipping his water but he already let us know he heard me. My cheeks heated, I sat back in my chair feeling quite embarrassed. Easton didn't let me fall into despair. He wrapped his arm around the back of my chair while he sipped his wine with his free hand. He looked like a man who had it all together despite his younger brother showing up to mess this quiet evening up.

“How are you, Poppy?”

I glanced at Alex, flashing him a small smile, “Good.” I replied.

“How are things at the flower shop?”

I wanted to roll my eyes but I couldn’t show my discomfort in front of their parents so I kept up the forced smile, “Also good.”

“Serena contacted me the other day.” He let me know.

Of course, that woman did something stupid. She couldn't accept that Easton and I were close. She was attracted to the man and even though she knew she couldn't have him, she didn't want me to have him either. She didn't care about other women, I just couldn't be beside this handsome man. The fact that Alex was listening to her said enough. They were siding together because they didn't want us to get close.

“Serena and I are no longer on speaking terms.” I let him know, “Serena showed again and again that she’s not actually my friend. She hates not being in the spotlight so now that my pictures are showing up everywhere she’s throwing a tantrum. I can’t be friends with someone like that.”

“You made the right decision.” Maria let me know.

"Maria," Thomas warned her. Clearly, her husband thought she shouldn't meddle.

I was grateful for her meddling though, Alex didn’t have a chance to say something which would ruin the night if we kept talking.

“I just believe you should surround yourself with people with a positive attitude.”

“It’s better for your mental health.” Easton continued.

“Exactly!” Maria was taking charge of the conversation. It made Easton and I smile.

The rest of the evening went by fast, Maria didn't give her youngest son a chance to mention we used to date. He tried to bring it up but I shut him down the minute he did it. It made him glare at Easton and me occasionally. Maria was too caught up in her own story to notice but Thomas had noticed. He kept his words to himself though.