31
Ryan
Going back home for dinner tonight was really the last thing I wanted to do, but Mum made a huge fuss, as usual, about family unity, and how important it is that we’re all together at least once a week. I can never say no – especially not when the others do it so often.
I step inside and head straight to the kitchen in search of something to drink.
“Ryan!” Mum greets me. “We were just sitting at the table.”
“Sorry, I’m a bit late. I popped home first then lost track of time.”
“It’s okay, your brothers are through in the living room with Dad.”
I grab a beer from the fridge and open it, before giving Mum a kiss on the cheek and going off in search of the others.
“Hey, family,” I say, greeting everyone without actually looking at any of them.
“About time, I’m starving,” Ian whines at me.
“You could’ve started without me,” I snap back.
“You know that Mum always waits until we’re all here.”
Of course. It’s good manners.
Nick gets up from the sofa and comes over to us.
“Little Ryan,” he says, immediately making my blood boil.
“Dickhead,” I retort.
“It’s so nice to have the family all together,” Ian comments sarcastically, shaking his head, before heading off into the kitchen.
“Hey, Ryan.” Riley appears from upstairs.
“Riley,” I say, nodding.
“Everything…okay?” she asks, cautiously.
“Sure. Why?”
“Oh…you know,” she shrugs, going over to join Ian and Mum.
I start to feel a strange atmosphere settling around us. I have the feeling I’m about to be interrogated, then torn apart, right here in front of everyone.
“Come on, food’s ready!” Ian calls from the kitchen, as I head for the dining room.
I sit down next to my father. Nick sits opposite me, Ian on the other side of me, and Riley between Nick and my mother.
“So, guys…any news?” Mum asks.
“The usual,” Nick jumps in.
“Any new projects coming up?” Riley says, weaving her way into the conversation.
“They’ve asked me to do a photo shoot in Los Angeles – important stuff.”
“Wow, Nick, that’s amazing!” Riley comments, as I start to cough.
