luminous. She looks flushed and happy. As I stare she cocks her head to the side, probably wondering why I’m looking at her so intensely.
“Everyone, this is Raina, Kent’s girlfriend,” Vance adds excitedly.
Willow looks confused. Now it’s my turn. She eyes me up and down. “Girlfriend?” she asks in surprise.
Damn it, even her voice is sexy.
“Yeah, girlfriend?” the older gentleman speaks up. He smiles at me. He’s handsome with dark hair and pale blue eyes. “I’m Brent, Kent’s father. Where is Kent?” He seems to find the fact that I’m here and Kent isn’t comical.
“He’ll be in,” Vance assures her husband, giving him a look.
He nods, as if her look makes perfect sense.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I mumble shyly.
“Oh, a sweet one.” He chuckles when I blush. “How does Kent manage that?”
“Just barely,” I answer, and his father’s laugh deepens. He holds out his hand and I shake it.
Vance urges me forward. “Raina, this is Willow, and my other son, Scott. And so on and so forth. Sit down, dear, and eat. There’s plenty.”
I nod at Willow, who nods back. Scotts reaches over and takes my hand. I have the distinct impression he’s doing it to piss Kent off even though he isn’t here. I shake his hand for as long as I have to.
“Morning, Raina,” he greets me, his voice deep and gruff.
“Morning,” I respond, my voice small. Where is Kent?
I sit next to his mother. The chair next to me is empty. There is a feast. Bacon, eggs Florentine, fresh fruit, jam, and scones. Fresh orange juice is in a pitcher and Vance pours me a glass. I watch the orange liquid flow into my cup rather than stare at the happy couple at the end of the table.
“Thank you.”
“No problem, dear.”
“So where’s Kent?” Scott inquires. “I miss my little brother.”
I have to look up at that. Snot.
Willow gives him a cross look. “Stop.”
He winks at her, slime and slime. “Fine. So Willow. I mean Raina.” He laughs, but no one else is. “Honest mistake.”
Scott is the real pig. Kent was never a pig. He was trying to live with the betrayal of his brother burning in his heart. Anyone would be lost after that.
Willow sinks lower in her chair, twirling a ring on her finger.
“Cut it out,” Brent tells him crossly. “Leave Raina alone. And when Kent gets here I expect you to both act your age. We’re all adults. We’re all clearly moving forward and there’s no need to keep things in the past.”
I eye her ring finger. Does Kent know? Is that why he wants to marry me? I am suddenly pissed. I swallow my anger and pick up my fork, thinking things no one should think about the man they love. For a few minutes everyone eats in silence until movement catches Scott’s attention. He grins so damn maliciously I don’t have to look to know it’s Kent.
Brent wipes his mouth off and stands up, smiling at his son the way my father never smiled at me. “Son,” he says. Out the corner of my eye I see them embrace.
“You’ve aged,” Kent teases, his voice tight and strained.
“It’s your credit card statements every month. If you step foot into another bar I’ll cut you off.”
Kent forces out a chuckle. He walks around the table and kisses his mother on the top of her head, and then without another word he sits down next to me. He won’t even look at Willow and Scott. He grabs my hand and puts it on his lap, but I pull it free and make it so he can’t reach me.
He sighs and grabs a plate, stacking it high with food.
The tension in the room magnifies.
“So,” Vance says uncomfortably, clearing her throat. “Tell me about yourself, Raina. How did you and Kent meet?”
“We were roommates.”
“Roommates?” She raises her eyebrows. “Interesting.”
Kent shoves food into his mouth.
“It was interesting at times,” I admit.
His mother laughs. “Things with Kent usually are. He has a flare for the dramatics.”
He grunts, mouth full of bacon.
Vance glares at him but doesn’t comment on his shoving food into his mouth. It’s probably best he doesn’t have the ability to speak. “Are you in school or working?”
“Well.” I look down at my plate.
“I got her fired,” Kent speaks up.
“Kent,” Brent chastises.
“I beat the shit out of her boss.”
“Kent,” Vance joins in.
“We broke up and I went apeshit.”
“Kent,” they both echo.
“But we’re together again. For good.”
Willow sighs and Kent’s back straightens. Scott is laughing.