Chapter 36 #2
I felt like a fly on the wall as the table conversed about Jae and his accomplishment, about the gym, and about how proud everyone was of him.
I didn’t want to bring the mood down, so I excused myself to go find the waiter before he came to take our orders and confirmed that the burger was a safe option for me.
I took a pitstop to the bathroom, just to avoid having to go back to the table right away and found myself staring at my reflection in the mirror above the sinks.
My hair was significantly shorter, a low fade with the top the longest I could get away with in regulation. I smiled, thinking about how Shiloh had been sad for me knowing I had to get a buzz cut during basic training.
I was starting to get a shadow, most prominent above my lip and on my chin. My ability to grow a beard hadn’t changed much since my teens, but it didn’t bother me since I couldn’t have one while in the military anyways. I preferred the feeling of being cleanshaven.
I sighed, realizing my white dress shirt was now giving an awesome display of my chest tattoo and nipples.
I laughed at myself and unbuttoned my shirt.
I should’ve worn an undershirt but had been in too much of a rush to think about it.
I stood with my shirt under the hand dryer, lost in thought when the bathroom door opened.
I jerked my hand from underneath the dryer, cutting the noise. I gave the stranger an awkward smile, “Sorry. The rain. Trying to dry off.”
The middle-aged man nodded with a smile and went to handle his business at a urinal.
I shook my head at myself, adjusting the shirt.
The door opened again, and I sighed as Jae, Sebastian, and Benji all strolled in. I grimaced, watching as Benji screeched and slapped his hands over his ears and quickly withdrew the shirt again.
Jae laughed, stopping in front of me, and I couldn’t help but notice that Sebastian was staring at my tattoo as he ushered Benji ahead of him into a stall.
Jae’s laughter abruptly died as I turned to look at him. “Could’ve told me I was giving the restaurant a free nip show, you dip.”
Jae chuckled again and made his way to a urinal.
I gave up on drying the shirt and shrugged it back on.
“No, Benji!” Sebastian sighed loudly before continuing on in Spanish, talking to Benji. It sounded like Benji might have done something gross, like touched the inside of the public toilet.
Jae and I shared a look as he stepped up to wash his hands. I finished tucking in my shirt, grateful that at least it was no longer sticking to my chest and revealing my nipples despite still being damp.
The stranger exited the bathroom, leaving Jae and I at the sinks. I turned to leave but Jae gave me a silent gesture to wait.
He air-dried his hands as he ushered me towards the exit.
“See you out there, Seb,” Jae called over his shoulder before the door shut.
“You figure out what you’re gonna order?”
“Yeah. The burger. You?”
“Gonna do the steak. Dad’s paying, so I might as well go all out.”
I shook my head at his comment, eyes snagging on the wall of liquor as we passed the bar. Jae tugged my arm, pulling me out of the way just in time as a waiter with drinks passed us.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
Jae swung his arm over my shoulder, tucking me in close, “Anytime, brother. I’m glad you came.”
I scoffed, lightly punching him in the abs as he led us back to our table. “Of course, I’d be here. I don’t think I could be any prouder of you, Jae.”
“Aw,” he cooed, squeezing me tighter, which meant I was awkwardly being shoved into his armpit.
“Shut up, dip,” I chuckled, shaking him off of me as we approached the table.
Everyone’s attention landed on us as I dropped into my seat. Sebastian followed in quickly behind us with Benji who was running in a beeline for the table.
The waiter stepped in, probably waiting for us all to return to the table, and took our orders.
After the waiter left, I hadn’t expected the conversation they were all having to die and nearly choked on my saliva when Eden called my name from down the table.
“So, we were right!” She said with a proud smile. “I found that scrunchie in your bathroom and I just knew you were seeing someone.”
I swallowed, ignoring Sebastian’s attention to my left. Fuck, if he knew who I was dating…
“Yeah,” I smiled, unable to hide the joy I felt in getting to call her mine.
“Aw,” Baba sang, “you look in love, Enushka.”
Hell yeah, I was.
“Well, details.” Eden urged with an eager expression.
Esther, who was across from Eden at the table waved her hand across her neck in a ‘cut it out’ gesture.
Eden gaped, “What? I’m not allowed to ask about her?”
The ice water sloshed in my stomach uncomfortably.
“It’s fine, Esty. I shouldn’t have gotten upset when you asked. Um,” I turned my attention back to Eden. “What do you want to know?”
“Name? How’d you meet? Can we meet her? How long have you been—” Sebastian cut Eden off with a chuckle, placing a hand on her shoulder from across Benji.
“Slow down. Let the man answer a couple before he forgets the first one you asked.”
“Sorry,” she said with a hand raise. “You’re right.”
I cleared my throat, glancing around the table to find I’d captured everyone’s attention. Jae looked anxious, chewing on his lip.
“Her name is Emory.”
“Emily!” Ruthie gasped. “That’s my best friend’s name!”
“No, baby. Em-or-y,” Eden corrected, looking at me for confirmation.
I nodded and she motioned for me to continue.
“We’ve been together for six weeks. We met at a work event, and no, she’s not active duty or military affiliated.”
I finished with a head nod at my sister and picked up my water.
Fuck, I was sweating.
“Will she be at the opening? I wanna meet her,” my mom asked.
My stomach churned with nausea, the smell of wine and seafood pungent in the air. “Um, she won’t be there. Sorry. Um, it’s…new. So, I don’t wanna spring my entire family on her at once, you know?”
My mom and Eden pouted but nodded in understanding.
“Tell us about her?” Auntie suggested, drawing my attention back to Jae who was beside her, nervously fidgeting with the folded napkin on his plate.
“Um…she’s…fierce. She’s got a sharp tongue and an even sharper attitude. Strong. Independent. Fucki—” my eyes cut to Eden. “I mean, beautiful. She’s intelligent, selfless, thoughtful…” I trailed off, realizing I was rambling, and cleared my throat.
“Wow, she sounds like a keeper,” my dad said from the opposite end of the table.
I nodded with a confident smile.
“Well, maybe y’all will come visit for the holidays this year,” my mom said with a hopeful smile in my direction.
“Yes. Enushka, you need to come home and visit me. I’m getting old,” Baba demanded.
I made a noncommittal sound and silently wished someone would change the subject. I caught Jae’s stare, and he attempted to hide the sadness on his face with a smile.
Fuck, we hadn’t even gotten appetizers. This dinner was going to take all damn night.
I was itching to pull my phone out to text Shiloh, but I didn’t want to risk anyone reading over my shoulder. She was supposed to be starting her tattoo session and I was antsy to talk to her, to check in, and see how she was feeling about the pain.
Thankfully the conversation shifted and I was half invested in listening to the topic of discussion when Sebastian nudged my shoulder, holding up the wine bottle he’d just topped his cup off with.
I shook my head, like I should’ve done yesterday, but Jae interrupted.
“He doesn’t drink either. Solidarity.”
Seb’s brows furrowed and he slowly placed the bottle back down on the table.
“Oh.” He looked between Jae and I curiously and I started sweating again.
Cheese and fucking rice, this was getting ridiculous. Maybe it was time I just dropped the bomb.
Not now. Fuck that.
Maybe tonight.
Alone, with just my parents.
The water in my stomach turned to a heavy ice block and I kept to myself the rest of the meal.