Natalie
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask nervously.
I smooth a hand over my skirt for the hundredth time since Brody picked me up this morning. We’re on our way to his father’s house for Sunday brunch. This is the first time I’ll meet his family.
Any moment, I’m going to throw up. I’m not ready for this.
Brody squeezes my hand and glances over at me from the driver’s seat. A reassuring smile tilts his lips upward. His smile gets me every time. I used to grit my teeth whenever I saw him. Now my belly flips and desire sparks to life in my core.
It’s amazing how much something can change in one short month.
“I told you, it’s going to be fine,” he says, trying to comfort me. Which, of course, I appreciate, but it’s not doing much good. I’ve heard a lot about Brody’s dad. He sounds... controlling. Brody told me in the beginning that he wasn’t happy about us being together and at that point, we weren’t really even together. So, I can’t imagine anything has changed on that front.
If given the opportunity to back out of this brunch, I would do it in a heartbeat. I don’t know what I was thinking when I agreed to it. Oh, right. I was over-the-moon-happy that Brody wanted me to meet his family. That he’s serious about us. How could I refuse?
But still…
I voice my deepest fear. “Your dad doesn’t want you dating. He wants you focused on school and hockey.” Not necessarily in that order.
A shadow crosses over Brody’s handsome face. “I’m not worried.” He shrugs, and the darkness that had been clouding his features disappears, leaving me to wonder if it was there in the first place. “He’ll get over it.”
Not saying another word, I nibble on my bottom lip and watch the scenery pass by outside the truck window. We’re about twenty minutes away from school when we turn into a high-end residential area and stop at a small brick building that blocks the entrance to a gated community. Brody rolls down his window and waves to the guard sitting inside. Then we’re once again on the move, slowly rolling down a street with multimillion-dollar houses sitting in the middle of massive lots. My eyes widen as I take in house after house. We’re talking huge stone and brick structures with perfectly manicured lawns, neatly trimmed trees, and flowering garden beds. A few have small ponds with water features in the front areas.
These aren’t houses. They’re palatial estates. More butterflies wing their way to life inside the pit of my gut.
Of course, I realized that Brody grew up with money. His dad was a professional hockey player and now runs his own company. But this kind of wealth is beyond what I could have envisioned.
It’s a little overwhelming.
Scratch that, it’s a lot overwhelming.
I clear my throat and try to keep the awe and nervousness out of my voice. “This is where you grew up?”
He shoots me a concerned look. “I know it looks intimidating, but you have nothing to worry about. My dad grew up poor, playing pond hockey in Minnesota. He doesn’t judge people by what they have, only by how hard they work.”
We meander our way through the sub until we reach the very furthest edges backing against the woods. The properties are more spread out, each one sitting on a few acres of rolling land. The very last mansion looks like a fairytale castle with turrets spiraling into the sky. Brody turns into a driveway made up of concrete squares edged with bright green grass, set in a diagonal pattern.
He parks in front of the massive stone house, and we exit the truck. By the time I slam the passenger side door closed, Brody has already made it around the hood and is at my side. He must sense my anxiety because he pulls me into his arms and holds me close. I inhale a big breath of air and slowly release it.
“Everything will be fine,” he whispers. “I promise.”
I nod against his chest. I just want to stay like this forever.
“Ready?” he asks.
As I’ll ever be.
He separates himself and reaches for my hand. “You’re important to me. I want you to meet them.”
His words melt my heart and give me courage to enter the lion’s den. How can I deny him anything when he says such sweet things to me?
“Okay,” I say with a firm nod.
Hand in hand, we walk up the wide stone stairs leading to the front door. Brody doesn’t bother knocking, just turns the handle and pushes it open. We step inside an enormous three-story foyer with a gigantic crystal chandelier hanging overhead. The floors are white marble, and there’s a gorgeous curving staircase with a fancy iron bannister that looks like something out of the movies.
“Dad?” Brody calls out. “Amber?” His voice echoes throughout the cavernous entryway.
There’s the click of heels coming from the hallway before a striking blonde with a warm smile greets us. “Hello, Brody.” She turns green eyes to me. “And you must be Natalie. We’re so happy you could join us!”
Her friendly demeanor instantly puts me at ease. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all. It makes me feel silly for getting so caught up in my own head and psyching myself out. My first impression of Brody’s stepmom is that she’s really nice.
“Your father is in his office on a conference call. He’ll be out shortly.” She nods toward the back of the house. “Why don’t we move into the sunroom and get started before everything turns cold? I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Amber spins on her heels, and we fall in line behind her. I glance at Brody, who is still holding my hand. He gives me a wink and mouths, Told you so.
I nod. He was right. I overreacted.
We move from the entryway through a long gallery into a two-story family room. A massive stacked-stone fireplace occupies an entire wall. We continue walking through the family room into the kitchen. Everything is white marble, stainless steel appliances, and chandelier-type lighting. Three glass vases filled with lemons are strategically placed on the massive island.
Mom would have a field day wandering around this place. Even before she got involved in real estate, she would drag me to open houses and get decorating ideas for our own house.
Brody tugs on my hand, and I realize I’ve stopped to take everything in. We pass through the kitchen into another room that is all floor-to-ceiling windows with a set of French doors that overlook a spacious backyard that has a pool and formal gardens.
The table is centered in the middle of the room. Brody pulls out a chair for me and then sits down at my side. Amber has been very gracious, chattering the entire time, but still…I feel out of my element. I hate to admit it, but it’s a relief that Brody’s dad is occupied for the time being. I need a few moments to find my bearings. It’s important that I make a good impression on him. Other than his dad and stepmom, Brody doesn’t have any other family.
Amber flutters around the table, making sure everything has been laid out before taking a seat across from us. It’s hard not to notice how warm and kind her features are. “Brody mentioned that you two have known each other since freshman year.”
I nod, thankful she’s opening up the dialogue and trying to put me at ease. “Yes, we met in a business class first semester.” My throat feels dry and scratchy. I pick up my glass of orange juice and take a large swallow.
“It was hate at first sight,” Brody says almost conversationally. “It took three long years for me to grow on her.”
I nearly spray the juice from my mouth before forcing myself to swallow it down. Once I do, the coughing and sputtering begins.
Oh my God! I can’t believe he just told his stepmom that! I’m trying to make a good impression so that his family likes me. And he just shot that to hell.
“Brody!” I hiss.
He laughs. His eyes dance with a mischievousness I’ve come to expect from him. “It’s the truth, right? I’m just giving Amber a little background story.”
I shake my head furiously and peek over at his stepmom. I’m almost afraid of what I’m going to see. “No…” I hesitate, trying to backpedal my way out of this. “It wasn’t like that exactly...”
I really hope Brody enjoys his brunch because it’s going to be the last meal he gets.
A smile hovers around the edges of Amber’s lips. “I think you’re going to be good for my stepson, Natalie.”
Just as we begin passing around platters of French toast, eggs, fruit, bacon, and hash browns, a man who bears a striking resemblance to Brody enters the room. He stops as his gaze connects with mine and I rise from my chair, holding out my hand for him to shake.
Unlike his wife, his smile is more guarded. Polite, but not overly friendly. “It’s nice to meet you, Natalie. I’m John. Sorry for not being able to meet you when you arrived.”
“It’s no problem. And it’s nice to meet you as well.” I gulp and push out the rest. “Thank you so much for inviting me to brunch with your family.”
The easy feeling that had permeated the air changes, becoming stifling. He hasn’t said or done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. And yet, I do.
John moves to the head of the table and takes a seat. Amber passes him a few platters and trays as he loads his plate with breakfast fare. “I hope everything is to your liking,” he says.
I glance at Brody’s stepmom. “Everything is delicious.”
Amber smiles at the compliment. “Please, help yourself to as much as you want.”
All of the tension that had previously drained from my body is back in full force. Brody’s father is an imposing man. He’s just as tall and broad as his son. Although his hair is dark where Brody’s is golden.
Where Brody has a playfulness about him, this man does not. He’s all business. He spears his food with his fork, chewing methodically. When our eyes meet across the table, I quickly lower mine to my plate. The manner in which he watches me is assessing.
I’m not sure what to think of him. And I have no idea what he thinks of me. Although, if I had to take a stab, I’d guess that he doesn’t think much. It’s not anything specific. Just a vibe I’m getting.
One that could be wrong.
“Brody tells us that you’ll be finishing up at Whitmore in the spring,” John says.
Grateful for the lifeline he’s throwing me, I latch onto it with both hands. “Yes, I’ll be graduating with a degree in personal finance. I’m trying to decide if I should apply to graduate school right away or take a few years off and work.”
It’s gruffly that he says, “Getting real-life experience is always beneficial. You can learn all the theory you want in the classroom, but when it comes down to it, you have to know how to apply everything you’ve learned in the real world. As someone who has a staff of over forty, I would never hire someone who doesn’t have at least some experience.”
I nod. “That’s what my mom says as well. She thinks I should work for a while and then apply to grad school.”
“I know it’s still early, but have you started searching for jobs? Do you have any idea what you’re looking for?”
“Last summer, I interned with a personal finance company. They’ve offered to hire me once I graduate.”
He nods. “Getting your foot in the door is oftentimes the hardest part. Did you work in the area?”
With every question he volleys at me, my nerves continue to escalate. “Yes, I was lucky enough to find something local through school, and I lived at home for the summer. I’m still planning to put my application in at other companies, but it’s nice knowing I already have something I can count on if nothing else pans out. And what’s nice about the company I interned with is that they have offices all over the country, so I can stay here or transfer somewhere else.”
Everything turns silent again as John spears a piece of cantaloupe with his fork and lifts it to his mouth. His eyes stay focused on me to the point of discomfort. I have to squelch the urge to squirm on my chair. I get the feeling that he doesn’t want me with his son.
“Much like Brody, it sounds like you have everything mapped out for yourself.” Releasing me from his penetrating stare, his gaze shifts to his son. And just like that, I’m dismissed. “We need to set up another weekend trip to Milwaukee and take a closer look at housing options for next year. I thought we could check out a few more condos near the lakefront. I’ll forward the listings Dana sent over.” He pulls his phone out and glances at the calendar that pops up. “It needs to happen soon. There won’t be time once the season gets underway.”
Brody nods, working his way through his loaded-down plate of food. It still amazes me how much he can pack away. “Once I get back to the house, I’ll look at my school and hockey schedules and get back to you.”
John glances at him and adds, “I want to have something on the books by the end of the week.” His tone doesn’t brook any arguments.
Nerves hum along my skin, but Brody seems unfazed by it. “Okay.” I get the feeling that it’s John’s way or the highway.
Amber regales the table with stories about Haley and what a little devil she’s turning out to be as she slams headfirst into the terrible twos. Brody slips his hand around mine under the table. When I sneak a peek at him, he winks and smiles. I don’t know why that simple gesture is able to dissolve the building tension in me, but it does.
I jump as a loud wail pierces the quietness of the sunroom.
“It appears that our little ray of sunshine has woken from her nap.” Amber rises smoothly from her chair and glances at me. “If you’re finished eating, Natalie, you’re welcome to join me upstairs. Hailey likes to play in her room for about ten or fifteen minutes before coming downstairs.”
“Thank you, I’d like that.” I try to keep the relief from my voice. I don’t want to offend Brody’s dad, but I’m grateful for the chance to escape his intimidating presence. Even though he hasn’t necessarily been staring, I feel like he’s been watching us closely. Brody holding my hand beneath the table has not evaded his notice.
I give Brody a small smile and follow Amber out of the sunroom. I don’t realize just how stifling the room has grown until I leave it behind.
“We’ll be back in about fifteen minutes,” Amber says.
“Take your time,” is John’s response.
When I glance over my shoulder, I catch Brody’s eyes and blow him a little kiss. He grins as I turn the corner.
I’m happy that he brought me here, but I’ll be equally glad when we leave.