Thankfully, Easton’s stepfather is more reserved in his welcome, offering me only a nod as a greeting.
We all take our seats, Easton’s hand settling on my thigh to comfort me the minute he sits at my side. The servants begin to bring the food in, placing exquisite dishes with names I don’t even know how to pronounce, while Easton’s mom keeps throwing me question after question. She keeps the topics casual, focusing on school and my church duties, and I try to respond to each one, hoping my voice doesn’t crack and reveal how nervous this whole affair is making me.
“Sweetheart,” her husband interrupts after what feels like a round of Jeopardy. “How about you ease up a little bit? Otherwise, I doubt Scarlett will jump at the chance of coming to another family dinner,” he says with an indulgent smile and a wink.
Her cheeks flush, but her bright smile never wavers.
“You’re right. I apologize, Scarlett, if I’ve made you feel uncomfortable. I guess I’m just so excited. You know, Easton has never brought a girl home to have dinner with us before.”
“Jesus, Mom.” Easton rolls his eyes with a smile. “Dick said to ease up, not add more pressure. And besides, that isn’t even true. Kennedy comes over all the time.”
It’s her turn to roll her eyes, and I stifle a giggle when I see where Easton gets his rebellious nature from.
“Kennedy is like a sister to you boys. She hardly counts.”
“I’ll make sure I tell her that,” he teases back.
“Better not. The Rylands aren’t known for their sense of humor,” Richard cautions, not finding the topic of their banter amusing.
“Ken isn’t like her dad or brother. She can take a joke.”
“I have to say I agree with Richard, honey. Remember when you were nine, and one boy was teasing you because you were new at school? That girl broke his nose.”
“He doesn’t count, Mom. Since that was Tommyboy, and she’s engaged to the prick now.”
“Okay, then what about the time she pushed Colleen’s boy off your treehouse and broke his arm?”
“Colt had it coming.” Easton shrugs unapologetically. “The idiot was trying to steal her first kiss. He should have known better that she would retaliate.”
“You keep excusing her behavior, but something is not right with that girl. She has too much hidden aggression inside her,” his mom explains, concern marring her features.
“She’s just feisty. And besides, we were kids.”
“Still, I’m happy your heart found its way to a girl who isn’t so ready to show off her claws.” She winks at me.
“Scarlett has claws, Mom.” He laughs, giving my thigh another squeeze. “Just not as sharp as Ken’s.”
I shift in my seat as unexpected jealousy assaults me.
“I didn’t know you and Kennedy Ryland were such close friends,” I mumble under my breath, preventing it from being overheard by his parents.
“She’s one of my best friends.”
“Was she ever more than that?”
A sly smile tugs at his upper lip as he leans into me.
“If I say yes, will that make you jealous?” he goads.
Yes.
“No,” I lie.
“Liar,” he beams happily, pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “You don’t have to worry about Ken. My mom is right. She’s like the sister I never had.”
I maul my bottom lip, not entirely convinced.
“Enough about Kennedy Ryland. I want to know how long you two have been together.”
“Not too long,” I answer.
“All our lives,” Easton replies, simultaneously.
I pick up the glass of water in front of me to hide the blush that has crept up from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. My heart wants to burst out with both embarrassment and elation at his quick reply. Easton’s smile is wide beside me, but it’s the one behind him that truly catches my curiosity. Easton doesn’t see it, but I do. Richard Price has the same happy glow on his face that his mom can’t seem to contain tonight.
His dad is happy for him.
I know Easton doesn’t get along with the notorious bank owner, but I don’t see the vehemence in his eyes that I expected to encounter. Not in the slightest. All I see is love sparkling in them as he takes in Easton’s happiness. But there’s something else behind that emotion, too. As I discreetly continue to decipher what his umber pools hold, I find myself at a loss when I realize it’s fear.
“I’ve heard you sing,” he states evenly when he catches me looking at him.
Easton squares his broad shoulders with how my body goes rigidly stiff at that statement. I try to remember if Richard Price has ever come to The Brass Guild for a show, but for the life of me, I can’t place him there.
“Naomi says that you’re the real reason why your uncle’s pews are full every Sunday,” he adds, to which I let out a relieved exhale.
“Thank you. I enjoy it very much.”
“Is that what you intend to do after you graduate? Pursue a singing career?” he asks, his skeptical tone evident to all of us.
“Singing is just a hobby that I enjoy. If I’m honest, I haven’t really decided on what I want to do. But I enjoy teaching music to the children in our congregation, so next year I’m thinking of getting my masters in children’s education.”
“Hmm. I’m glad to hear you have a plan in place. Easton is far from even having one.”
“Richard,” his mom interjects with a warning.
“Let him say what he wants, Mom. I’m used to it.”
“Well, I’m not. You’re a grown man, Easton. By now, you should know what you intend to do with your life. Especially if you want to share it with someone,” his stepfather chastises, throwing a not-so-subtle glance over at me.
“He will find his way, Richard. Just give him time,” his mom proclaims defensively.
“Time is a luxury he doesn’t have. He’s twenty-three, Naomi. Not a child. You need to stop coddling him.”
“Do you always have to be such a dick, Dick? Can’t we have one meal without you busting my balls?”
“No. If I don’t do it, no one else will, and someone needs to keep you in check.”
“Fuck you.” Easton snarls, getting up from his seat and pulling my chair back for me to follow his lead.
“Easton,” his mom counters with a pleading tone.
“Dinner was great, Mom. I’m going to take Scarlett up to my room. That is, if it’s okay with Dick Supreme over there?”
I stand up and throw a sympathetic smile at his mom. “It was a pleasure to see you again. Mrs. Price. Mr. Price.”
“You too, Scarlett. I do hope to see more of you.”
I nod and look over at Easton’s stepdad, whose head is already bowed, concealing his face from my view.
Easton grabs onto my hand and leads me out of the dining room with hurried speed.