Page 39 of The Himbo and the Lord
It used to feel like home, now it’s just... well, it’s not the same.
But Mom has no skin in this shitty game Dad and I are pretending to play, and she asked me three times to be here tonight, so here I am.
It helps that some of Dad’s employees will be here, because so will his boss and all her family, which includes Seth. It’s a lifeline when they arrive.
Like it’s always been in our family, we all pair up. Zac and Chelsea are the same age just like Seth and me, and since Chelsea’s boyfriend, Arthur, has been joining thesegatheringsfor a few years now, he goes off with them as well.
They might only be two years older than us, but they’re never going to let us forget it, and at twenty-six they feel like they’re the most sophisticated adults ever, the snobs.
Making fun of them and them teasing us has been a tradition for all our lives, so it’s not like I’m ever going to grow out of that habit.
Arthur’s a good guy, though. A bit older than them, but he’s smart. He worships the ground my sister walks on, and Zac assured me he’d always be watching out for her since they’re like the best friends ever, so I guess he can’t be too bad.
If the prince of New York finance gives his okay to someone, then who am I to say differently?
As I lead Seth to the bar the caterers have set up, I see Mom and Shirley laughing it up and Seth’s dad, Ethan, looking thoughtfully at the cigar box Dad’s holding open for him.
Jesus, this is all such a fucking cliché.
“You guys got here early,” I say, trying to act all casual while wondering what I should say to Seth so he understands I’m here for him. He still looks sad, like there’s a huge weight on his shoulders, and I want him to know he can share it with me. Everything.
“Yeah, Mom wanted to hang out with your mom for a while before everyone else got here.” I can see he’s trying to smile, actually really trying, but I know him too well to be fooled.
“I’m always here, okay?” I speak quietly but urgently, and lean in a little. “Whatever it is, I’m always here.”
Looking down at his glass, I see him swallow hard, but then he nods and looks me in the eyes.
“Thank you. I’ll—” He stops himself with another hard swallow. “Not today. I don’t know when, but I’ll take you up on that.”
I squeeze his shoulder and nod. “Whenever.” It’s a promise, and since I intend to keep it, I lead him over to the couches and start talking about anything but our lives. I tell him everything I’ve learned about the local gossip in the coffee shop I’ve been going to every day to pass the time, and about the new online game I discovered and I suck at.
We talk about the upcoming hockey season, as well as the football season, and little by little, as the room fills up with people, his shoulders relax, his cheeks stretch more easily, and he’s genuinely smiling by the time Chelsea taps a spoon to her wine glass and everyone quiets down and looks over at her.
I see it before she even utters a word.
You could see that damn rock from space for fuck’s sake, and I know she wasn’t wearing it before so...
“We’re so excited to announce,” Chelsea starts with a stupidly wide smile, and offers her free hand to Arthur. “That we’re engaged!”
Cheers and applause ring out through our home, and I can’t stop the smile on my face just from seeing how happy she is. Before I know it, I’m standing and walking over to the happy couple.
I’m there before anyone else, so I get to hug the life out of the brat, and I even pick her up and twirl her around while she squeals like a hyena right by my ear.
It’s still not enough to erase my smile.
“So happy for you, Chels,” I say over everyone’s voices.
“Thank you, Natey.” I groan at the nickname, and put her back on her feet.
I can’t stop myself from cupping her cheek as I look down at her.
“Arthur’s gonna make a great househusband,” I whisper, and wink.
She laughs with clear reluctance, but doesn’t deny it.
I go over to shake Arthur’s hand, and the poor bastard looks as happy as Chelsea does. I mean, he’s been living with her for almost a year, so I’m sure he knows how annoying she is and what a mess she can make inside a bathroom when she’s getting ready.
So he knows what he’s getting into, right?
