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She leaned over and gave me a warm hug.
Lachlan walked down the hallway and did the same. “Come on in, boys. What would you like to drink? Vi brought a couple of bottles of bubbly from a local vineyard if you’re interested.”
“Oh, yeah,” Brodie smiled at me. “We’ve got a lot to celebrate.”
“Such as?” His mom glanced between the two of us.
Her hazel eyes were as expressive as Brodie’s. Inquiring but also concerned.
“Let’s let them say hello to everyone first, then you can start your inquisition,” Lachlan teased.
We stepped into the massive living room where Brodie’s sister, Vi, and her husband Petyr, were seated. She, too, had Nia’s model profile and dark hair. Brodie was standing close beside me, and I was about to reach out to him, but I could feel everyone’s eyes on us.
And then Vi broke the tension like only a relative of Brodie’s could.
“You’re late, asshat.”
Vi got up, pulled Brodie in for a hug, and messed up his hair.
“Like you could have a decent party without me, dork.”
“Don’t mind them,” Lachlan assured me as he steered me toward the bar. “They revert back to being twelve years old when they get together.”
“I remember that from the housewarming. I seem to recall a rather raucous fight in the pool.”
Lachlan nodded and rolled his eyes. “Let’s just say we had hefty house insurance premiums for years. Not a week would go by without one of my four children breaking something.”
“I bet,” I chuckled. “I’m sure Brodie was the chief instigator.”
“You know him well.”
I leaned against the mahogany bar and glanced over at my love. He was sitting on the couch in between his mom and his sister, telling a story in that animated way of his. Always the center of attention, and no wonder. He had that way of looking at you that made you feel like you were the only one in the room.
Suddenly, a glass of bubbly was set in front of me.
“Oh, thanks. Sorry, I zoned out there,” I replied, my face flushing.
Lachlan looked at me intently, then nodded. “It’s understandable. I’m like that with Nia. The woman distracts me to no end. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He poured four other glasses and added them to a tray.
“Let me help you,” I offered.
“No way, Van. You’re our guest.”
We made our way back to join the others and Lachlan passed around the glasses of champagne.
Brodie stood up and walked around to stand beside me, raising his glass. “I just want to say I’m so happy to be back home. I know it’s taken me a long time, but that’s life on the road. It’s been an amazing year for the band and for me personally. And speaking of personal, I—we—” Brodie looked at me and I nodded. “We want to share some news. Van and I are together. We’re a couple.”
There were a few shocked faces but mostly smiles.
“I knew it! I knew it!” his sister yelled out and turned to me. “He talks about you constantly.”
“Oh really?” I commented.
“Vi—” Brodie warned, his face flushing.
“I could tell he had a major crush on you for ages,” she continued.
