Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
EVAN
Nervous does not begin to describe what I feel as I pull up in front of Isaac’s house Saturday evening. His family arrived yesterday, and he spent the day with them. Tonight, Isaac invited me over for a cookout and to meet them.
He warned me they are loud and boisterous when they all get together, but I didn’t expect to be able to hear them when I got out of the car.
Music and loud voices fill the air as I walk to the front door.
Before I can knock, the door swings open and I’m greeted by a tall, beautiful woman with dark features, black hair, and the same brown eyes as Isaac.
“You must be Evan!” she gushes.
“Yes.”
“I’m Gloria. Isaac’s mother.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, offering her my hand.
She ignores my hand and pulls me in for a hug instead. “We hug in this family. It’s nice to meet you.”
Releasing me, she takes the bag I’m holding and leads me to the kitchen where a man about her age is walking in from the backyard. Beyond him, I see Isaac and a slightly younger version of him on the patio.
“Jose, this is Evan. Evan, this is Isaac’s father, Jose.”
“It’s nice to meet you, young man,” Jose says, grabbing me for his own hug.
I reluctantly hug him back. This is not like meeting my folks.
I doubt there will be any hugging involved.
My parents are more formal about greetings.
I think I like this way better. I already feel a thousand times more relaxed than when I got out of the car.
Jose goes to the stove and stirs something. Isaac looks like his dad with the exception of having his mom’s eyes. Jose is shorter than Isaac, but only by an inch or two. He has brown hair and an olive skin-tone that matches Isaac’s. He’s very handsome and looks younger than his fifty-three years.
Remembering the bag Gloria took from me, I turn to see that she left it on the counter.
I pull out the bottle of bourbon and a set of six glasses I bought at Olde Derby Distillery the last time I visited.
I bought eight, so I decided to share the bottle with Isaac’s family and give each of them a glass to take home.
That will leave Isaac and I with a set of four.
I’m not even sure they like bourbon. Maybe this was a bad idea.
What was I thinking? I should have asked Isaac before making a decision like this.
I jump when two strong arms wrap around me.
“Hey,” Isaac whispers, concern lacing his voice. He turns me toward him and kisses me quickly. I relax a little. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I smile and wave him off. The look he gives me tells me he’s not buying it.
“I brought a bottle of bourbon to share and a glass from my favorite distillery for everyone to take home. I was second guessing myself and now I’m wondering if I made a mistake,” I whisper close to his ear so only he can hear me.
“That was a brilliant idea. My family will appreciate the gift.”
“Are you sure?”
Isaac leans his head back enough to look me in the eye, but never lets go of my waist. “I’m positive.” He kisses me softly and I open my mouth, melting into him as our tongues collide.
A gagging sound and the words “Get a room.” From the other side of the kitchen have me pulling away from Isaac as embarrassment heats my face. I can’t believe we did that in front of his family.
Isaac flips his brother off and barks, “Bite me, Aiden.”
“Nope. That’s Evan’s job.”
Apparently, I wasn’t embarrassed enough. I can’t imagine how many shades of red I’m turning.
“Enough, Aiden.” Jose snaps, but there’s humor in his eyes. They are all enjoying this a little too much.
“We’re back, Uncle Isaac,” a small voice calls as the front door closes, and two precious little girls rush into the kitchen and into Isaac’s waiting arms. He hugs them both then looks at me and says, “Evan, these are my nieces, Katie and Kennedy.”
“Hi,” they say in unison, one much louder than the other. They look so much alike, I hope I can keep them straight.
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you both.”
The girls wiggle out of Isaac’s arms and run off to see their grandmother. A man, who must be Owen, comes into the kitchen carrying a couple of grocery bags.
“Evan, meet my brother, Owen,” Isaac introduces. We exchange greetings as Isaac continues. “That little shit over there is Aiden, but you probably figured that out by now.
Aiden waves to Evan and says, “My mom said to tell you I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”
“Boy, don’t make me get your father’s belt,” Gloria snaps, swatting at him.
Aiden jumps out of the way with a laugh. “Dude, I’m twenty-one, you can’t smack me.”
The look Gloria gives Aiden has me standing at attention. “I am not your dude and you are never too old to listen to your mother,” she scolds.
Aiden actually looks a little timid as he drops his head and mumbles, “Yes, Ma.”
Satisfied, Gloria takes the girls’ hands and leads them to the backyard. Jose turns off the stove and follows his wife and granddaughters. Isaac puts ice in four of the glasses and starts to pour the bourbon.
“I think it’s time for a drink,” he declares.
“I definitely need one.” Aiden joins us at the counter. “When did you two stop being afraid of Ma?”
“Who says we stopped?” Owen counters and Aiden’s eye go wide.
“You’re kidding. You have kids, Owen. You can’t possibly be scared of that woman.”
“That woman is your mother. Show some respect,” Isaac reprimands. “Trust us, you will never stop being afraid to cross her.”
I laugh at the look of terror on Isaac’s face. He must have tried to cross Gloria one too many times.
“Oh, you think this is funny,” Aiden teases.
I square my shoulders and look him in the eye. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the short time I’ve known the Flores family, it’s don’t back down. “Extremely. I’ve never seen three grown men cower at a sweet lady like the three of you.”
Aiden takes a step toward me, stopping inches from my face. “I dare you to cross her.”
“I’m not stupid, college boy,” I retort.
Owen and Isaac fall out, laughing their asses off. Aiden holds my gaze for several seconds. I refuse to break eye contact first, so I stand there toe to toe with Isaac’s kid brother. Finally, he nods his head a few times.
“Respect.” He lifts his fist and I bump it. “I like you.” And just like that, I find my place in Isaac’s family.
As soon as I start to relax, my brain catches up to what just happened.
Oh, shit, I stood up to Aiden. What the hell was I thinking?
He could have punched me. Did our exchange make Isaac angry?
I don’t want him to think I don’t like his family.
I risk a glance at Isaac then Owen. They’re still smiling and giving Aiden crap about being put in his place.
I breathe a sigh of relief. Huh, I stood up to someone.
So, this is what confidence feels like. It’s been a long time since I felt confident or proud.
I think I’m finally letting Mike’s hold on me fade.
Thanks to the safety and trust I feel with Isaac.
An arm wraps around my waist before Isaac kisses my cheek.
“I’m proud of you,” he whispers. “Watching you handle Aiden was awesome. It’s about time someone knocked that cocky ass down a few notches.
” Isaac’s voice is full of humor when he speaks, and I relax even more.
This is where I belong. I fit perfectly with Isaac and his family.
Isaac finishes pouring the bourbon and we take our glasses outside and give some to his parents.
Isaac and I are drinking ours neat, but the rest of the family has theirs on the rocks.
It took a few weeks to convince Isaac that the bourbon doesn’t need ice, but now he won’t drink it with ice or a mixer.
I’ll never serve him the crap stuff that needs something added to it to make it drinkable. What’s the point?
“Evan, do you want to tell us about this?” Isaac asks, holding up his glass.
“Um, yeah, sure. This is an eighteen-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon with hints of vanilla and caramel. It’s from my favorite distillery, Olde Derby Distillery outside of Louisville, Kentucky.
I’ve been there a few times. They produce great bourbons, but this is their best in my opinion.
The glasses are their signature glass. They partner with a crystal company out of Oregon and have them specially made.
They created the short, curved shape to enhance the flavor. You can each take your glass home.”
“Thank you, Evan, this is such a treat,” Jose tells me. “I want to make a toast. To having my family together again. And to the first person to make Isaac truly happy. We are glad to finally meet you. Thank you for loving our son. Welcome to the family.”
“Don’t look so shocked. You’re it for me and they know it,” Isaac whispers to me. Everyone raises their glasses before taking a drink, while I stand there, mouth open, completely shell shocked. Did that really happen?