“I was worried for you to meet them. They can be a lot to take but I think you’re immune.”
“No, I was just one of the younger ones, so I had my share of being terrorized until I got big enough to fight back. Then they left me alone, plus they were older then and it wasn’t as fun for them anymore.”
“Do you all get along now?” Jen and Bex were the oldest but even some of the younger ones were a lot to take.
“We do. You probably think I’m crazy, but I miss those times when we’d all be running around driving my parents crazy and getting into any trouble we could. Now we’re all grown up and boring.”
“I can’t wait until we’re grown up and boring,” I said, making him laugh. “You told my sister you love me.”
“Of course. They need to know I’m serious,” he said.
“I never thought I’d see Jen at a loss for words,” I mumbled because I didn’t want to say it too loud for fear one of them would hear me. Just then Trent walked by with a tray of dishes and stopped at our table.
“Isaac, are you going to family dinner this week?” He was sixteen and very shy and quiet, but also very sweet. He did notlike conflicts and avoided them at all costs. Unlike every other member of my family.
“I’m not sure,” I said. We used to all get together every Sunday for a fried chicken dinner, but since I’d moved out that happened less and less for me. Trent glanced at Tig before blushing.
“I haven’t seen you in a while,” he said.
“I know, I’ll try to stop by more often.”
“Trent, you’re always welcome to meet us in Foggy Basin for dinner if you’re ever there,” Tig said. “Or you could just stop by sometime.”
I looked at Tig and wondered why he’d said that, but then I looked at Trent and it had made him so happy. “Let me know if you need a ride. I could stop by on the way home from work.”
“Thanks, Isaac, I’ll call.” He hurried to the kitchen, and I turned to find Tig staring at me wearing a happy grin.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. He seemed to want to spend time with you and I don’t want to take time away from your family.”
“I’ve had my own place in Foggy Basin since I graduated from high school, and while family is fun for you, it’s still not all that fun for me,” I whispered.
“Sorry, I guess I got a little too excited,” he said.
“It’s okay, my parents have been threatening to disown me if I don’t go to Sunday dinner soon. Looks like you’ll be meeting the family tomorrow.Allof the family.” He met my eyes and grinned again.
“I know you don’t believe me, but I’m excited.”
“You might regret those words. Just promise me you won’t dump me because my family is so freaking big.”
“I promise, baby, now tell me what I should bring.”
Twenty-Six
Tig
We’d spent Saturday nightback at the farm, mostly because Isaac was strung so tight and because I wasn’t ready to share him yet. Today would be different.
“I should go home so I can do my laundry for the week,” he said once we’d showered.
“Okay, let me do a few things and I’ll drive you in.” I had my own laundry to do, but I also wanted to make a list of what groceries I needed for the week.
“Are you sure you want to have dinner with my family?” he asked, giving me another chance to say no. “I promise I won’t hold it against you.”
I sat on the sofa and pulled him onto my lap. “Baby, I want to meet them. You’re important to me. You’re not just a fling and you’re not someone I’ll forget about in a week. I don’t love easily or often, and I want us to share each other’s lives, not hide from each other.”
“I don’t think I’m ready to meet your family,” he said and cringed a little. “Sorry but I think you’re way more into the family thing than I am.”
“It’ll all be fine, and if they hate me then we never have to go again,” I said, making him smile.
