Chapter 25
Chapter twenty-five
Adam
Mom has always been a great cook, but she pulled out all the stops for Damon’s going away party.
I use my roll to sop up the extra gravy on my plate, though I seriously considered just licking it clean.
Cory had more than considered it, hence why he's now wiping gravy off his chin with a dinner napkin.
He’s been weird all night and it's really pissing me off. Maya’s looking especially stunning tonight, and every chance he gets, Cory’s been saying something snide about her under his breath.
“What’s so special about you that you got my brother to change his ways?”
“So why’d you leave your real job to get into sewing?”
“You’re nothing like the women my brother usually goes for.”
“Oh, you went to Pratt? That’s cool if you’ve got the talent to make a living doing art.”
Maya had taken it like a champ, but I was so mad I had to let go of her hand or I would’ve broken her fingers. The others noticed too, but no one wanted to spoil Damon’s big night. My mom puts another slice of turkey on Dad's plate.
"You know, Adam. This Maya girl you brought home is great…except for the fact that she keeps calling me Mrs. Park." Maya lowers her eyes and tries to hide her smile by pressing her lips together. I squeeze her thigh gently.
"Yeah, she does that. Don't worry. She'll start to relax after a few more hours." Cory sucks his teeth.
"Two months of dating and already he's a Maya expert," Cory mutters.
He barely lowered his voice this time and I scoot my chair out from the table about to punch my bother in his dumb face, but Maya quickly grabs my hand and shakes her head slightly.
Mom and Dad are shooting daggers are Cory, who's suddenly very interested in his potatoes.
"I'd say it's time for dessert," Mom interjects, always first to try to deescalate a "battle of the bros".
Dad coined the term when Henry Jr. and Noah had both asked Madeleine Pinkett to Homecoming their sophomore year in high school.
They even asked on the same day, though Noah picked lunch and Henry Jr. waited until the pep rally.
That night at home, they both ended up with black eyes.
After all that, Madeleine went with Noah (he did ask first), but left early to make out with Jeff Michaels under the bleachers.
We don't argue much—not seriously, anyway—but when it happens, it tends to require outside intervention.
"Cory? How about you grab the brownies and ice cream from the kitchen?"
There is no way I’m letting Cory continue to disrespect Maya. I follow him to the kitchen when my mom sends him for dessert. Once out of earshot, I round on him.
“Hey Cory. What the fuck is your problem, man?” He pivots to face me and looks almost bored. That makes me even angrier and I clench my fists at my sides to keep from socking him in the jaw.
“No problem here, bro.” I can see the anger in his eyes behind the feigned boredom.
“Why the hell have you been being so rude to Maya all night? Saying all that stupid shit under your breath. We can hear you." I fight to keep from yelling. "Maya can hear you.” Cory rolls his eyes.
“After all the grade A women you’ve been with, I didn’t expect you to bring a girl like her home to your family, that's all.” I’m so mad I’m actually starting to get hot.
“You wanna tell me what you mean by that?” I ask through clenched teeth. Cory folds his arms over his chest.
“Don’t play dumb, Adam. You know what I mean.”
“I truly don’t. Maya is smart and funny. She’s super talented – you should see the ceramic stuff she makes – and super fun to hang out with. And she’s got the biggest heart of anyone I know.” Cory puts his hand up to stop me from gushing further.
“But not beautiful. Smart, kind, funny—sure. But you’re telling me you’d really want her on your arm for celebratory drinks with your boss when you get that big promotion?
You’d want to show her off in front of Bryan and his frat brothers?
You’d really want to be seen at the beach with her?
” Cory isn’t hiding his anger now. Before I can tear Cory a new one, we both turn towards a noise behind us.
Maya is standing in the doorway. Her eyes are wet, but her jaw is high in defiance. She turns to face only me.
“Your mom sent me in to see what was taking so long with the dessert. I’ll let her know you’re on your way out.
” I see her lip quiver, but she doesn’t let herself cry.
Then she turns and heads back to the dining room before I can stop her.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Cory looking thoroughly chastised. Good. I'm gonna do worse to him later.
Maya is noticeably quiet for the rest of the dinner. Thankfully, Cory has also stopped with his rude remarks. Maya won’t let me hold her hand, though, and she’s barely made eye contact since the kitchen, neither of which are a good sign.
With dessert and coffee done, we give hugs all around.
Damon promises to call regularly and Mom and Dad invite Maya back for our annual Halloween party.
I knew they would love her. Probably because of the incident in the kitchen, Maya says she'll try to make it.
Try. Taking deep breaths to keep from hyperventilating, I hold the front door for Maya.
On the street in front of Mom and Dad's place, she once again doesn’t let me hold her hand.
“Maya. What’s wrong baby?” She won’t even look at me.
“You mean other than your brother being a jerk who apparently thinks I’m too ugly to even be in your life?
” She’d kept her tears in check inside, but they fall freely now.
Each one hitches the temperature of my blood up ten degrees hotter.
I move to put my arms around Maya, the only woman I've ever asked to come to a family dinner, but she steps away. Damnit, Cory!
“Baby, I’m so sorry you heard what he said. He’s an asshole.”
“But he’s not wrong,” she sniffs. “...And you agree with him.” OK. Now I’m pissed.
“I agree with him? Maya, what are you talking about?”
“If you’d thought I was beautiful, you would have said so.” She imitates my voice. “‘Maya is smart, funny, fun to be with, super talented.’ But he was right; you didn't say I was beautiful.” She’s clutching her elbows now, and it’s killing me she won’t let me hold her.
“But I do think you’re beautiful, Maya. I do! Just because I didn’t say it, doesn’t mean I don’t think it.” I can’t stop myself from grasping her shoulders, hoping my message gets through. “You’re beautiful!” She shakes her head, backing away.
“I’m gonna head home.” Before I can take her hand, she adds, “By myself. I just need some space.” Though she won’t let me hold her hand, I start walking after her.
“Maya, c'mon! We need to talk about this! My brother is an asshole and he does not speak for me!!” She keeps walking, starting to turn away from me.
“Go back inside and talk to your brother, Adam. I don’t want to be the reason you fight with your family.” She turns completely now, walking off without looking back. She's running away…again.
She might not talk to me in person, but she will talk to me. I take my phone out and start dialing.