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“You best clean yourself up, we have to be at my parents at ten.”
CHAPTER 26
Kimberly
Nerves struck hard as we stepped onto the front porch of mom and dad’s house. I had avoided the place all week, even yesterday I made Joe meet me at the bar. I had managed to get mom on the phone earlier to tell her Sam had arrived in town early and asked if it would it be alright if I brought him to dinner. She didn’t seem all that impressed, but dad soon changed her mind and said it would be a great idea.
Linking his fingers in mine, I thought Sam looked handsome and dressed up a little more than the casual we originally planned. He must have tried on five shirts before he settled on a pair of dark blue jeans, a grey plaid shirt, his black timberlands, and a thick denim wool lined jacket.
“It will be fine; you know I will be on my best behavior and will take any brunt they throw at me.”
“I know you will, I’m just worried mom can be quite nasty after a drink…and now I know of your past, I don’t want her upsetting you.”
“You’re sweet, but I’m a big boy, I will be fine.”
I hated knowing now what he must have gone through; especially the trauma. I couldn’t even imagine having a parent that took their anger out on me. My dad was a big softie, he always helped anyone he could, put himself last, was kind and my hero. My mom, although more of a pain in the ass as I got older, she was still my go to person for everything. She was my rock. And I knew she was just being protective.
“Are we going in then?”
Sam asked, lifting my knuckles up to brush against his lips. His green eyes sparkled against the porch Christmas lights. Dad took great pride in decorating for Christmas. His was usually the best house on the block. It was never over the top, but always a beautiful display of fairy lights, with Santa and his sleigh on the roof and a nativity display in the front yard.
Turning the handle of the front door, Daisy rushed in first, as she usually did. I heard mom in the kitchen shouting happily that her ‘furgrandbaby’ had arrived. Then she poked her head out the archway that led to the kitchen and gave me a little cheery wave.
“Be with you in a moment my love, just basting the chicken.”
Sam gave my hand a reassuring squeeze as we turned into the living room. Bethan and Joe were squabbling over something written on a piece of paper, while dad sat on the couch watching football.
“Oh, who’s playing?”
“The Tiger-Cats and Red-Blacks.”
Sam let go of my hand and stood behind the couch to see the game, crossing his arms, and going full dad pose. Beth and Joe hadn’t even noticed us coming in as Beth threw up her arms looking a little red in the face. Mom was pottering around in the kitchen. I wasn’t too sure if I should go in and offer some help, break the ice as we hadn’t seen each other in a few weeks. Both of us had actively been trying to avoid one another.
Deciding to see what was wrong with my brother first was the best bet. We were only two days away from the wedding and I couldn’t have the bride and groom arguing. Joe looked still worse for wear, and I was sure I could still smell some liquor on his breath.
“What’s the matter, you two?”
“Joe has now changed his mind over the song choices! And we must confirm by tonight.” Beth shouted a little.
Usually, she was as quiet as a mouse, but the wedding had really brought out her inner diva. I liked it. It made her a little more interesting.
“Joe, what’s wrong with the picks? You guys took weeks to decide, and you can’t really change your mind now.” I looked at him as he sheepishly looked away.
“I just think they’re a bit silly. We have like a million songs in the world to choose from and she wants some stupid boy band as our first dance.”
“They’re not just some stupid boy band!! OD is my life!”
“See now you’re just being overdramatic.”
I felt my own anger rise up then. Beth wasn’t being overdramatic, she just loved her boy bands. Most girls did, I still had a soft spot for an all-boy American boy band from the 90s. I would happily listen to their music well until my old age.
Beth shoved from the table and stormed into the kitchen, which I didn’t blame her for. She had done most of the leg work for this wedding. I helped as much as I could with the decorating and corresponding with the wedding planner for her, but for the most part it had just been Beth.
“Well, that was a dickhead move, Joe.”
“I know, she’s just been so pissy lately.”
Holding his head in his hands, I wasn’t sure if this was a talk he needed from his big sister or his best man-lady. Taking one of his hands in mine, he looked at me with a gross face. Then he realized I wasn’t going to let go even if he tried to pull away.
