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Amber and Alex arrived a couple of hours before and the boys were ensconced in video games in Jace’s room. This meant I had time to get Vander in, let Yiayia gush over him, and re-introduce him to Amber. After my story at our bookstagram meeting last night, Amber had joined Yiayia on Team Vander.
With Yiayia and Amber out of the way, I’d face introducing him to Jace.
I knew Vander. He was kind. He would put his own feelings aside and do everything in his power to put Jace at ease.
He gifted me with tiny touches while we moved around the kitchen and dining room with Yiayia and Amber. He linked his pinky with mine for a few seconds, brushed the backs of his fingers over my cheek, slid his hand to the small of my back, but didn’t linger. I was glad. I didn’t want to bombard Jace at this first meeting.
Dinner was finally ready. Yiayia and Amber were already in the dining room arranging the platters on the table, and Yiayia called the boys down to eat. I grabbed the last one and Vander preceded me through the doorway with the bowl Yiayia had asked him to carry to the table.
I heard the boys making their way downstairs as we placed the food on the table, Alex’s feet pounding down the stairs while Jace followed more sedately behind him. They were not in our line of sight yet.
My stomach fluttered with nerves and Vander twisted his neck to look back at me as if he knew and gave me an encouraging nod and a smile.
Alex came sliding into the room on his socks and Vander chuckled for a moment before going positively still. Jace loped over with his hands tucked deep in his pockets and his chin angled down.
I moved in front of Vander, my eyes on Jace, and opened my arms. Jace gave me a hug before turning to Vander who stood staring at him openly. I laughed nervously.
Maybe Vander wasn’t as ready for this as he thought he was.
I looked to Yiayia to see her standing with her mouth open in shock. Amber called Alex over to her. They were making this so weird.
I stepped forward, drawing Jace with me, and sent Vander a warning look.
“Vander, this is my son, Jace.”
Jace stuck out his hand as I continued. “Jace, this is Vander.”
Vander shook himself out of his stupor and reached for Jace’s hand. “It’s a pleasure-” He cleared his throat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jace. Your mom has told me lots of good things about you.”
Vander didn’t let go of his hand immediately as he studied Jace’s face. Jace studied him right back, like two alpha males having a stand-off? I could not fathom what was going on in Vander’s head.
I touched Vander’s back lightly and he startled then released Jace’s hand. I turned and introduced him to Alex.
In the bustle to wash hands and get seated, I caught Vander’s eye and murmured, “Are you alright?”
His expression hardened and his lips pressed together thinly. “I’m fine.”
It was obvious he was not okay. I didn’t want to force him to stay if he didn’t want to. I knew I shouldn’t have allowed him and Yiayia to bully me into this so soon.
“If you don’t want to stay, I can make an excuse for you,” I offered stiffly.
“Oh, no, Ruby,” he snorted. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
What the hell?
Yiayia bustled in telling everybody where to sit. I hated the strain evident on her face and endeavoured to put everyone at ease. I’d have it out with Vander later. Conversation stuttered along at first but picked up when the boys began telling Vander about their Adventure Club.
Vander smiled easily at Jace and Alex and peppered them with questions they were only too happy to answer.
I relaxed back in my seat only to see Yiayia and Amber looking at each other worriedly. I raised my eyebrows in question, but Amber just shook her head and offered me a hesitant smile. Was Amber having second thoughts about being on Team Vander?
I can’t say I was impressed with his reaction to Jace at first, but he seemed to be pulling it together. It’s not like our situation was easy. She needed to give him a break.
After dinner, I stood up and put my hand on Vander’s shoulder to ask if he wanted coffee. He went rigid beneath me, and I drew back my hand. No matter what he promised, it was evident to me that he was not okay with this, not at all.
Nerves assaulted my tummy, and I knew I, for one, would not be partaking of any extra caffeine. Amber and I excused the boys and Vander watched Jace until he left the room before meeting my eyes, a mix of anger and hurt swirling in his.
I tried to offer him a comforting smile, but I knew well what he was dealing with, and knowing it would be my turn soon, his reaction did not instill me with confidence.
