Page 50 of Hard To Stay

Chapter Nineteen

Lexi

“Areyou sure your sister said not to bring anything?” I asked Brad, for the fifth time as we rode along the Long Island Expressway on our way to a family picnic. Apparently, his sister was a last minute go-with-the-flow type of girl and she had the crazy idea that today would be a great day for a get together. He’d sprung this little family gathering on me this morning. Thankfully, I was able to snag a bottle of wine from his apartment as we were walking out to the car. After all, I was raised in the spirit of southern hospitality and was taught that you never showed up at someone’s house empty-handed.

Brad, never taking his eyes off the road answered me in frustration. “For God’s sake Lexi, will you relax? You’re just meeting my family, not the Pope.”

I shifted in my seat and turned my body sideways to face him. He had been out of sorts for the past couple days, knowing he was leaving later in the week. The argument we had last night about his friends guarding me 24-7 while he was away was still fresh on my mind. I hated feeling like a child and I thought it was a bit of overkill, but it was pointless to argue with him about it, so I let it go.

“Sorry, I guess I’m just a little worked up because I’m meeting your family for the first time.” I’d chosen my favorite light-yellow sundress. It was a little shorter than I usually wore, but the weather app on my phone said it was going to be hot and sticky. I wanted to be comfortable and I would be lying if I said I didn’t like the way Brad noticed my legs when I wore this dress.

He reached over and grabbed my hand, entwining our fingers together. Despite my nerves, I was really looking forward to meeting his family. My heart tugged with memories of my own family. That topic was a little more complicated.

He rubbed small circles around my thumb. “You have nothing to worry about. My mom and Lily are going to love you.” If his mother and sister were anything like him, then I probably had nothing to worry about.

I reached for my purse on the floor and placed it on my lap, looking for a pair of sunglasses. The sun beat down on the windshield, heating up my skin. Brad had insisted on leaving the windows open to allow the fresh air to fill the car. After digging around in my purse, I finally found my Coach sunglasses. There were few things in life I splurged on. Purses were on the top of the list, and sunglasses came a close second.

“So, who else is going to be there?” I asked, slipping my shades over my eyes, and turning to fully face him.

His dark brown hair was mussed from the wind. His short-sleeved blue polo shirt clung to his tempting biceps. Memories of those same muscles flexing over me last night had me squirming in my seat. Everything clenched from the waist down. I forced my gaze to his face, feeling my body grow hot, and it had nothing to do with the weather outside. I curled my fingers into the black leather seat to restrain the urge to climb into his lap.

“It’s just a few people. Don’t worry.” He winked.

“I’m not worried. Just a little nervous that’s all.” I explained trying to play it off as cool. I still couldn’t take my eyes off him. I should have been embarrassed by how obvious I was.

“You keep looking at me like that, and we’ll never make it to my sister’s house.” He raised his eyebrow and shot me a knowing grin. Damn, I was busted. Chuckling, he squeezed my hand, “Not that I mind you eye fucking me while I’m driving, it’s just a little distracting because we are in bumper to bumper traffic right now and neither of us can do anything about it.”

I would never get used to the traffic around here. The craziness of the surrounding drivers made me anxious. I stared into my rearview mirror, looking for a distraction. Brad let go of my hand and the Bluetooth connected to Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me”. Watching Brad bop his head to the song as he sang along with the lyrics was so freaking hysterical. I couldn’t suppress the smile that spread across my face as he danced and gyrated in his seat. I pulled out my phone and hit record as he continued hamming it up for my benefit.

About an hour later, we pulled up to a modest raised ranch home with a huge yard and a driveway lined with cars. He had lied to me. This was more than a ‘few’ people.

“Ready?” He gave my hand one last squeeze before bringing it to his lips and kissing my knuckles. “Trust me. You have nothing to be worried about. I promise.”

“Just a few people, huh?”

Brad chuckled, pulling on my hand. “Believe it or not, when it comes to my sister, this is a few.”

We walked up to the front door and just as Brad was about to ring the bell, the door swung open. A petite woman with long brown hair and familiar eyes greeted us with a huge smile.

“You finally made it!” She squealed, rushing into his arms almost knocking him over. Brad laughed and kissed the top of her head. A blind man could see the bond they shared. It made my heart ache a little knowing I never had that with my own sister.

Brad pulled away, and they both swung their eyes to me. “Lily, this is my girlfriend Lexi.”

Lily smiled at me warmly, putting my mind slightly at ease. She held out her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Lexi. My brother has not stopped talking about you.”

I snuck a glance at Brad who just smiled and shrugged like it was no big deal, when it fact, it was everything to me. “Thank you, Lily. I feel the same way.”

“Well if it isn’t my long-lost son.” We both turned to see a woman with short, dark hair carrying a toddler on her hip. She set the little girl down on the floor and walked over, pulling Brad into a hug. The obvious affection between them made me smile.

She released herself from Brad’s arms and walked up to me. Her eyes sparkled with kindness. “You must be Lexi. I’m so happy to finally meet you. You’re even prettier than my son said you were.”

Her comment made me blush, but her friendly tone put me at ease. “Thank you, Mrs. Morgan. It’s a pleasure to meet you, as well.”

She rolled her eyes. “Please, call me Kathleen. Only my students are allowed to call me Mrs. Morgan.”

I laughed. “Very well. Kathleen it is.”

“Perfect. Now tell me, how is my son treating you?” Her eyes moved over to Brad. “He better be nothing short of a gentleman.”

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