4. Anthony
CHAPTER 4
anthony
I let out a long sigh in my parked Jeep in my parents’ driveway. I was trying to mentally prepare myself for what was to come for the evening. I made time to eat dinner with my parents at least twice a week since they weren’t getting any younger and I loved to spend as much time as I could with them. Despite all the efforts I made to be a good son and come home to see them, my dad always claimed I had too much time on my hands to hang out with them because I’m single.
Tonight was a little different, though. Aunt Sue was here now. She arrived last night, and I had yet to see her.
As I took in another deep breath, a truck rolled up into the driveway to my side. It was my dad. He threw me an amused look before he parked in the garage. I got out of my car with the bouquet Shoua helped me select last night.
“Why aren’t you inside?” he asked.
“I’m mentally preparing myself,” I answered honestly.
My dad laughed, coming to my side as we both beeped our cars locked. He shook his head at me. “C’mon on, son. Sue isn’t that bad.”
“Aunt Sue isn’t the problem. It’s when she—” I started but couldn’t finish. I felt like I was being too honestly rude if I did.
My dad gave me a small smile. He sure looked tickled. “When she tries to set you up with her daughter?”
“I fucking hate it when Aunt Sue does that,” I groaned.
I think it was natural for Aunt Sue to play the role of the matchmaker, especially with her playing a role in my parents’ love story. If it wasn’t for her and her words of encouragement, Andy and me may have never been born. Aunt Sue was the only one who encouraged my mom to go on a date with that Midwestern white boy who asked her out. My parents were a success, but that was just because they loved each other.
Evelyn and me, on the other hand? Nah. I saw her like a younger sister, much like how I saw Julie as my sister. And that was it.
“It doesn’t help that Evelyn’s also fully invested in all of this. Why are they still trying to push for this anyways?” I asked. “You’d think that after all these years of Evelyn and her mom pushing for this that they’d get the hint that I don’t like her. It’s not like I’m Andy and she’s Julie.”
Andy had always been in love with Julie Lo. She’s the daughter of our mom’s best friend, Auntie Yee. After her dad passed away when we were kids, we moved in next door to them to be a form of strength for them. Julie and her younger brother, Jonathan, naturally grew up close to us twins because of this.
Now they were finally together and living under the same roof after years of Andy being a love-sick dumbass.
“Look, son, this is just a speculation, but I think Sue was insistent on visiting us again this year because of the news of Julie and Andy.”
I frowned. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
“Nope. Your mom and I believe she’s here because she’s honing in on you.”
I let out a frustrated sigh as my hand reached out to push my fringe out of my face. “Absolutely not. Tell Mom that I refuse to entertain her and her daughter with this.”
“Sue is persistent because you’re single, even if you say no. All that matters to her is that there’s a possibility. Just get a girlfriend and then it’ll be easier.”
I grumbled as I gave my dad a pointed look. “I don’t have time.”
My dad let out his usual loud and bellowed chuckle, mocking me. “You do. You’re just too comfortable being single. You have dinner with us two times a week, which your mom and me are grateful for. But shouldn’t you be going on dates instead of hanging out with your aging parents on a Friday night?”
“I really don’t have time to date, Dad.” I shook my head at him. “I would rather focus on work right now.”
His smile grew wider. “Of course you don’t! You’re practically here with us every other day! At this point, you might as well move back in,” he teased. “Just so you know, your mom and I want to see grandkids soon, Anthony. It’s about time you and your brother start making your way towards that.”
“Well, you’re in luck,” I snorted. “Because that’s exactly where Andy’s heading soon with Julie.”
“Hm, sounds like someone’s jealous of their older brother,” my dad stated, still chuckling.
“ I’m not ,” I countered. “I’m happy for them. It’s about time they’re together, to be honest.”
“Maybe it’s about time you get back into dating too, Anthony.” My dad laughed.
“Date who? Evelyn?” I snorted as I crossed my arms across my chest.
My dad let out another laugh, shaking his head. “C’mon, son, let’s head inside for dinner. Your mom’s making stuffed bell peppers.”
I followed my dad into the house, the familiar scent of my mom’s cooking wafting through the air. As we entered the kitchen, I saw my mom bustling around while Aunt Sue was out of sight, but her voice could still clearly be heard. They were deep in conversation, speaking loudly in Hmong with their laughter echoing between the kitchen and dining room.
“Anthony!” Aunt Sue exclaimed as she quickly walked into the kitchen. Her eyes were practically twinkling as she headed straight toward me. I handed her the flowers. “Thank you so much for the lovely flowers. Goodness, you look even bulkier than last year! Have you been spending too much time at the gym?”
I beamed my brightest smile and gave her petite, tiny frame a hug. “Good to see you too, Aunt Sue,” I said with a laugh. “Well, I need to bulk up to beat Andy in our brotherly competitions, you know?”
My parents laughed. “Some brotherly competitions. You broke your leg one year because Andy forced you to jump off the roof because of your stupid little games,” my mom said, shaking her head.
“That was back in high school! And they’re not stupid little games. It’s just fun competitions we like to do to see who’s the better twin.”
“Usually until someone bleeds,” my dad chuckled.
Aunt Sue laughed as she raised a curious brow at me. “So, who’s the better twin lately?”
“Me, of course.”
Everyone laughed. As we settled around the dining table, the conversation flowed effortlessly, with Aunt Sue entertaining us all with her hilarious anecdotes of being a college professor and contagious laughter. My mom served us hefty portions of stuffed bell peppers as well and it was all good. My stomach couldn’t help but churn at the thought of Aunt Sue playing matchmaker for her daughter. Again.
“Evelyn’s doing great! Her PhD program has been ramping up since she’s in her second year,” Aunt Sue said. I couldn’t help but notice the way she gave me a glance. “By the way, Anthony, I have great news. I asked your parents not to spoil it for you because I wanted to tell you in person.”
I chuckled nervously. “What is it?”
“Evelyn will be joining me here by this upcoming weekend. She mentioned how she really wanted to spend summer here and come with me again. But her dad insisted she spend a few weeks with him in Wisconsin. No worries, though. She’ll be here soon.” The corner of her smile tipped a little into a tiny smirk. “And my nephew Kelvin will also be coming with her.”
I tried not to let my jaw drop but failed miserably. Why the hell is going to be Kelvin doing here?
Both Evelyn Vu and her cousin Kelvin Vang were going to be here this summer? My mind started reeling at the horror of it. As if dealing with just Evelyn wasn’t enough for us.
Shoua and Julie have had their own fair share of dealing with Aunt Sue’s horrible matchmaking. She talked nonstop about her nephew last summer and even forced them to talk to Kelvin via a video call. He seemed nice, but neither of them liked him. Unsurprisingly, Aunt Sue couldn’t seem to take the hint and kept insisting one of them to start dating him.
“O-Oh, Kelvin?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah, I thought that I would invite Kelvin to come here and spend time in California too. He’s such a homebody, so I thought it’d be great for him to go out of his comfort zone a little bit and explore the world. I think you, Andy, and him would be great friends. Maybe Shoua and him could also get along,” she said with a laugh.
Aunt Sue was smiling sweetly as if she delivered the greatest news I could ever possibly want. When, in fact, that was the worst. I had nothing against Evelyn at all. But it was just that she demanded to be the center of attention all the time. Maybe it was because she grew up as the only child? She could be quite disingenuous at times as well with fake flattery and overly enthusiastic smiles.
If we knew each other better and were closer without Aunt Sue’s constant plotting to make me fall in love with Evelyn, I’d tell her she didn’t have to force herself so much.
When it came to Kelvin, I have nothing against him being here since I didn’t really know him. If he had never been to California and had just wanted to visit and explore, then all was good. But this was all too much of a coincidence. Aunt Sue clearly had something cooking up in that mind of hers and I didn’t like it.
“That’s . . . great ,” I responded through a tight smile and gritted teeth.
“I’m sure you kids will have a great time,” my mom said, trying not to laugh.
I shot my mom a withering look as my dad laughed out loud. As much as I wasn’t a fan of Evelyn, neither were my parents. She left a lasting impression on people and not in a good way. I think they were lukewarm with her at most.
“Now, now, Anthony. No need to be so excited,” my dad said.
Before I could retort, Aunt Sue spoke up. “So, Anthony,” she began, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Any special someone in your life?”
“I—I—” I stammered, and then caught my mom subtly nodding her head at me.
Her lips silently formed the word, “Yes . ” Was she telling me to lie to her friend? I hesitated to answer as my mom flashed me an irritated look. I was taking too long to answer the darn question.
“Actually, Sue, both my sons are happily in relationships,” my mom answered, glancing at her friend. She turned to me with the biggest smile plastered on her face and even dared to wink. “ Right , Anthony?”
My jaw dropped at her sudden and blatant lie, yet I knew full well I should play along. I didn’t trust my mom completely, but there was a certain glint in her eyes. She was a sweet and caring woman, but she was never someone to be tested.
I forced out a laugh, putting on an excited, fake grin. “Oh, yeah. Happily, in a relationship,” I replied, my voice lacking conviction.
My dad raised a graying eyebrow at me. His hazel green eyes filled with amusement, looking awfully like Andy’s when he wanted to tease me. “Yep, our boys are just drowning in love,” he chimed in, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
My parents started laughing wholeheartedly as if they masterminded this together. Aunt Sue joined them with her own chuckling. Meanwhile, I was trying not to look like a deer caught in headlights. My mind started racing. Now that my mother was lying to her friend and pulling me into this mess, I had to find a fake girlfriend because there was no way in hell that I could lie and then get out of this unscathed.
“That’s wonderful, Anthony! Why don’t you tell me more about her? Do you have any pictures of her? I would love to see how pretty she is.” Aunt Sue smiled at me with eyes full of curiosity.
Panicking, I said the first thing that came to my mind. “Sure, my girlfriend’s Shoua!”
Wait —
What the hell was I even doing? Shoua Lo was my best friend and I just lied that we’re together.
There was a moment of silence before my dad started snickering at my squeaky, nervous voice. Aunt Sue turned to my mom. “Shoua? Isn’t that Julie’s cousin?”
My mom was ecstatic with what she heard as she sipped her red wine. I could tell she was radiating in whatever happiness she found in my answer. “Yes, she is.”
“Congrats, Anthony. Those Lo girls are gorgeous. Not surprised you and your brother are head over heels for them.” Aunt Sue turned to me with a big grin, but her voice sounded a little forced.
My mom laughed, all giddy. “Oh, Sue! You have no idea how hard Gary and I had to work to get them with these girls. They’re smart, successful, and amazing, and our stupid boys keep holding things off with them. Enough with being friends! I’m glad you’re finally dating Shoua, Anthony. Cheers to the couple!”
We all raised our glasses. As we sipped our wine, my mom downed the rest of hers in a single gulp. Someone sure was happy tonight.
“It’s a shame Shoua is in a relationship with Anthony. I was really hoping I could pair her up with Kelvin this summer. He has the biggest crush on her after he talked to her last year and was so excited to see her in person. I think they talked a little bit last year, but it seemed like she didn’t like him very much. I know girls like the good looking, tall, confident, talkative type and he’s a shy young man, but he’s a great catch. He’s smart, successful, and handsome?—”
What a way for Aunt Sue to flatter me and punch me in the face all at once. I laughed awkwardly. I knew exactly why Shoua wasn’t talking with her supposedly sweet nephew.
Apparently, Kelvin wasn’t as shy as his aunt thought he was. Because once he got a hold of Shoua’s number through Aunt Sue, he insistently started texting and calling her. She blocked him after he sent her an unsolicited picture of his dick. All this ensued within a few days, and Shoua claimed she was going to call off men forever after that traumatic incident.
“Don’t worry, Sue. I’m sure Kelvin will find a perfectly nice girl,” my mom interrupted, nonchalantly. She was clearly tired of hearing all of this. She blinked at me, acting rather innocent and surprised. “Anthony, why didn’t you bring Shoua over tonight, sweetie?”
“Well, Mom, she’s busy tonight,” I answered with a tight smile.
“Busy?” she asked as she poured herself another glass of wine. “Tell her to drop by for dessert. We’re having pistachio gelato—her favorite.”
“I would love to see her and give you two lovebirds my congrats. Tell her to quickly drop by,” Aunt Sue said. Her voice was imploring.
“She’s having dinner with her girlfriends and could be out all night talking for all we know,” I explained.
My mom’s giddy smile grew a little wider. She nodded as if she was already expecting my answer. “Well then, you must bring her with you next time. She’s no stranger to us so she shouldn’t be shy with your dad and I just because you two are together now.”
“ Mom —” I started but was interrupted by Aunt Sue.
“Oh my. How long have you two been dating, Anthony?”
“Barely two months,” I lied to get her off my back. “Mom, w-we’ve only barely started dating. I don’t want her to . . . feel pressured by having dinner with you two and Aunt Sue.”
My dad chuckled at my response. “Son, it’s only going to be a simple dinner. We’ve known Shoua most of her life and we just want to see you two happily together. Tell her not to stress about it.”
I gave my dad a look of disbelief. I couldn’t believe he was saying this to me, folding to my mom’s urging. Not only was I stuck in the middle of this, but so was Shoua. I tried my best to smile back, agreeing to it.
Thankfully the rest of the dinner was full of questions from Aunt Sue centered around my fake and supposedly burning romance with Shoua. I’m glad she hardly brought up Evelyn. In a turn of unexpected events, it wasn’t Aunt Sue who was trying to play the matchmaker this year.
It was my mom.
Now Shoua and me were stuck in this web of lies. Before we even made it to the end of dinner, I claimed I was exhausted and needed to head home early for bed. I bolted out of my parents’ home before anyone could say anything else.
My heart raced at an aching speed as I sat in my driveway. Shoua’s place was pitch dark even though I was hoping she’d be home by the time I got back. I couldn’t wait for her to come home to blurt out the ridiculous shit I got us into, so I had to text her.
Me
We’re best friends and
You’d do anything for me
Right?
She responded right away to my surprise.
Shoua
It depends.
I wasn’t expecting her to even see my text until later, after I was able to mentally prepare myself for the conversation. My throat dried up as my palms became clammy. Fuck it. I had to do it.
Me
Will you be
My girlfriend ?
I knew Shoua and I knew exactly how she would react the moment she heard what I had to say. At first her jaw would drop as a shocked expression crossed her face. Then her brows would knit together, and a red flush would bloom across her golden tanned skin. Her full lips would purse into a thin line as her dark chocolate almond shaped eyes narrowed. The intimidating and cool exterior she had always had would feel even chillier than usual.
Shoua Lo wasn’t going to hesitate to rip me a new one.