by Lara Swann
I hate being called ‘baby’, and he knows it.
But it seems like Josh is more than happy to slip into the arrogant-douchebag role that Mom just laid out for him.
His eyes are dancing when he looks back at me, and he gives me a little wave as he heads out to find his trunks and the pool.
“Have fun.” He says over his shoulder, as I try not to feel too jealous.
I should have remembered just how good Josh can be at pissing people off - myself included.
“Aw, Cassie, you’ll be back with him soon.” Maria gives me a gentle smile. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you mooning over a guy like this.”
I look over at her and try not to laugh as I decide not to tell her that it was the pool I was mooning over. Instead, I walk back over to the table and start collecting plates.
Anne glances up, and with a sour look in Beth’s direction, gets slowly to her feet. “I think I’m going to rest for a while, if it’s all the same to you.”
“Of course, of course.” Mom says benevolently, and I’m not sure whether she’s more concerned about her future grandchild, or Beth and Anne spending some time away from each other.
“I’ll come and make sure you’ve got everything you need.” Mark adds, looking slightly guiltily at his wife. Maybe after Beth’s pointed comments, he’s concerned she might be seeing Josh’s point about being roped into your partner’s family.
I watch my Dad wander off without a word, and then Ellie and Lucas are tugging at Maria’s hands.
“C’mon, Mommy, we want to go swiiiimming!” Lucas shouts.
I wince. In the time since I last saw the boy, his volume seems to have gotten stuck on one setting only.
Maria laughs at them both. “I’m helping your Grandmama, babies. Your Daddy will go with you.”
John smiles at his wife and tosses Lucas onto his shoulder, who squeals in glee.
Ellie remains stubbornly at her Mom’s feet, and stomps her own. “I want you, Mommy.”
Maria tsks and shakes her head. “I can’t come until all the washing up is done, Ellie. Unless you want to help?”
Ellie casts a dubious look over at the mess of plates scattered on the table and the leftover food on the side.
“Um, no, that’s okay.” She finally says, giggling and shaking her head before running over to her father.
He rolls his eyes at Maria as I feel jealous for the second time that morning.
Maria smiles back. “I’ll join you after we’re done.”
John nods, then starts whistling a tune that promptly has the two kids bursting into song. It’s slightly adorable, but mostly off-key and I take a breath of relief when they disappear out of the door.
“I know I shouldn’t really have to help, since it’s my own engagement do and all.” Beth says to Neil, despite none of us suggesting that at all. “But I can’t just leave them to do it all, so I’ll have to catch you later.”
Neil gives her a disappointed glance, then kisses her with enough overly-enthusiastic lip-smacking to put me off for life.
“I’ll miss you, baby.” He puts on a deep voice and she throws her arms around him as if they’re about to be parted for years - clearly not the same reaction to ‘baby’ that I’ve ever had.
I wonder if Josh and I should have done that.
“That’s very sweet of you, honey.” Mom says as Neil leaves the room, and I roll my eyes, already missing Josh being around to catch the look.
I have no doubts about how much ‘help’ Beth is actually going to be - she’s a terrible gossip, and I’d bet anything she’s only sticking around to hear whatever I’m about to be coerced into saying about Josh.
I go back to the plates, acutely aware that once again I’m with my sisters and mother, about to help with the cleaning up and cooking. I’ve spent a lot of time with my family steadfastly refusing to help if Mark didn’t, and causing far too many family dramas over that, but I figure for the moment I can relent a little. Anne is pregnant, and Josh and I will be causing enough drama not to add this into the mix.
“Sooo!” Beth says enthusiastically as she grabs the plate I was about to reach for. “You have to tell us everything!”
I smile inwardly as I shrug, acting like I didn’t know this whole thing was a blatant set-up. “What do you want to know?”
“Oh, c’mon Cassie, we don’t know anything about this guy.” Mom interrupts, a little exasperation showing now that it’s just our family around. “Anyone else would’ve gushed endlessly about their new boyfriend by now. I mean, how long have you been together?”
“Six months.” I say automatically. It seems like a reasonable number.
“And you haven’t mentioned him at all?! Why didn’t you tell me?” Mom asks. “God knows, I’ve been talking about you finding someone for long enough, and all that time you didn’t think to tell me that you were already…”
She disappears into the kitchen, and I can’t find a good enough reason not to follow, starting to make quick work of tidying up from the explosion that seems to have been breakfast.
“Maybe because I knew you’d react like this.” I mutter, and she scowls at me.
“Like what? Like an interested, concerned parent? Well, sue me for caring, Cassandra.” She huffs, and I get a few moments of silence to start moving pots and pans about.
This is easier than I thought it would be. I’m just acting how I would if Josh was actually my boyfriend and I’m going through the family-introducing-stage for real. Doesn’t make me feel any better about what it’ll be like when I finally do meet someone, but at least none of my irritation is feigned.
“There’s nothing…” She comes to stand next to me, dropping her voice dramatically. “Nothing wrong, is there? You know, you haven’t been quiet because you’re…not sure about it, Cassie?”
I hesitate. I instinctively want to say ‘of course not’, but it’s a perfect opening to start enhancing some of the doubts Josh has already planted.
Damn it. This is the kind of question that Josh can answer with the infinite subtlety required to both reassure and worry her, but I’m more likely to completely screw up.
I glance at my Mom, knowing she’s paying far too much attention - probably already interpreting that hesitation god-knows-how.
“No, there’s nothing wrong.” I say hurriedly, then give her a quick smile. “I mean, you’ve met Josh - he’s just great, don’t you think?”
I give the expected ‘gushing’ and then just shrug and add, almost as an afterthought. “I mean, there’s always a few things, aren’t there? You don’t expect everything to be perfect. But nothing to worry about, Mom - don’t you think it’s great I’ve met someone now?”
I wonder whether I overdid the last part, but relax a little as I see my Mom hesitate this time, a slight frown appearing across her brow before she smooths it away.
“Yes…yes, it is, dear.” She finally says, far less enthusiastically than usual. “But you know, if you want to talk about any of those things, it might help to get your old mother’s perspective on it.”
Hah, there you go Josh. A performance even you could be proud of.
“Or your sister’s.” Beth adds with a wink at me. “I am engaged now, after all, and Neil and I have been together far longer than six months. You might be older, Cassie, but I think even you can admit that when it comes to these things, I have a much better idea what I’m doing.”
“Ohh, leave her alone.” Maria shushes Beth, shaking her head and giving me a supportive squeeze on the shoulder. “Everyone has little things to work out at the beginning, but Josh seems lovely, Cassie, and he’s obviously making you happy so don’t let them start you worrying about it. I’m so glad you’ve brought him here for us to meet him.”
She sounds so genuine that I feel a little stab of guilt as I try and smile back at her. Beth shoots her a glare, but I duck out of the kitchen and back to the dining room before I can cause any more controversy.
By the time I retu
rn with a fresh load of plates, the atmosphere has settled down a little and Maria gives me a smile from where she’s working at the sink.
“What would you like to tell us about Josh, Cassie?” She asks, and I pause for a moment, stumped.
What do I say about the guy who has been the biggest part of my life for the last four years, who I’m only supposed to have known for six months?
Unlike Beth, I am definitely not a gossip, and have no idea how to string together anything remotely coherent, so I just start talking.
“Well, we met in UCLA, and we’ve been seeing each other for a while now.” I start, grabbing a pile of pots and taking them over to the second sink, half-hoping the water will drown out the sound of my voice. “He’s an actor, pursuing theater studies—”
“He’s still in school?” Beth asks in obvious shock.
“No—” I correct immediately, cursing myself. We met when he was in school, but that was years ago… “But he does some shows at the student theater there. He’s auditioning for roles in all sorts of movies and theater productions at the moment.”
That gets a non-committal noise from my Mom and I feel my cheeks burning, wondering what on earth to say next. What do people usually say about their partners? I haven’t had one for long enough to remember in the slightest.
“He’s…a great guy. We get on really well, and…he makes me laugh.” I finish lamely.
I stuck to the truth, I guess. It just sounds strange to say it out loud.
I realize a moment later that I didn’t need to worry about not knowing what to say. The moment I’m done, I get peppered with questions.
Mom immediately asks all about his family and background, which thankfully I can answer pretty well - probably better than if I had only known him for six months. And it’s all the truth, so I start feeling less stressed.
Until Beth interrupts with an endless stream of question about our first date, where he’s taken me and what he’s bought for me so far.
I make a few things up on the spot, weaving as much truth as I can into the stories, and wish Josh was here to help out with this. I don’t have anywhere near his imagination. I can barely keep up with what Beth is asking, let alone start thinking about how to insinuate possible tension between us.
I try and make a mental note of everything I say to tell him later, but even my penchant for filing away information is getting strained by the time Maria interrupts with a laugh.
“They’ve only been dating six months, Beth!” She shakes her head at her younger sister.
“Well, Neil and I—” Beth starts.
“Yes, I know you and Neil couldn’t stay away from each other for more than a few hours during those first few months, Beth.” Maria grins at her. “But you know how busy Cassie is with med school, and it sounds like Josh’s auditions are fairly unpredictable, so maybe you shouldn’t expect the same for everyone else.”
Beth pauses momentarily, glancing at her older sister as if she’s not sure whether Maria is admiring her, or telling her off. It’s the perfect position to put Beth in, but Maria is the only one I’ve ever seen able to do it.
“Here, why don’t you take all that salad stuff you wanted out with Mom.” Maria nods towards where Mom is preparing the meat to grill later.
“Hm, okay.” Beth pushes herself up from where she was leaning against the counter, distracted by the contents of the full fridge.
She grabs a tray and starts loading it up with whatever she selects from the fridge, before disappearing out of the kitchen behind Mom.
When they’re gone, I glance over at Maria and slump down against the counter, letting out a long breath.
“Was that as exhausting as I think it was?” I ask her with a moan, sensing for the first time an ally that I didn’t know I had.
“Most definitely.” She nods, then laughs and comes over to wrap her arms around me. I’m momentarily surprised, before returning the hug. “Hopefully that’ll be the worst of it - they got their round of questions in. Duty done, right?”
She grins and I return it, shaking my head. I never knew she saw it that way too.
“Let’s hope.” I agree. “Thanks Maria.”
She laughs again. “Don’t look so surprised, Cassie - I was the first, remember. Can you even imagine what it was like when I brought John home for the first time?”
I stare at her. I don’t remember at all. I’d been ten at the time, and completely oblivious to whatever Mom put her eighteen-year-old daughter through with the first boyfriend our parents had had to deal with.
“Yeah, exactly.” Maria continues. “Not easy. But I knew what I wanted back then, and it all worked out, even if it took them a while to catch up. You’ll be the same, I’m sure - you’ve always known your own mind just as well as I did.”
She grins at whatever she sees in my expression then turns back to the food, leaving me reeling at the idea that maybe we aren’t as dissimilar as I’d always thought.
Chapter Six
Cassie
It takes a few hours, but we emerge from the kitchen with everything prepared for the grill just as I’m starting to get hungry again.
Total overkill, if you ask me, but my family always get on better when there’s a mountain of food to consume - and Beth is refusing to settle for anything less than perfection. Her engagement do is actually tomorrow, and today is meant to be relaxed, but for some reason she seems to be taking every part of this week as a personal reflection on her relationship.
At least I managed to navigate their questions about Josh and I well enough to satisfy them all - for now, anyway. I can barely remember half of what I said, so I’m hoping Josh can play along without too many prompts from me.
“Ohh, it’s such a gorgeous day, don’t you think?” Mom says with a large smile as we step out to clear blue skies and the sun burning right above our heads. There’s just the right amount of breeze, and it’s the perfect day to be out by the pool.
“Pity we spent the morning inside then.” I mutter as we carry trays over to the tables next to the grill.
Mom gives me a long-suffering look and gestures over to the pool area. “Honestly Cassandra, don’t you want to impress Josh? I’m trying to show him I raised you right, girl, you could at least play along for a few hours.”
“What the…No. No fucking way.” I can’t control my outraged response, and I lose any tolerance for this game any longer.
That’s what this whole damn thing has been about?
“Language!” Mom snaps back at me, but I’m not listening anymore. I’m done playing this fucked up ‘good wife’ role that Mom wants to put me in, and I’ll be damned if she uses me to show off.
I stalk away from the table of food, heading towards the pool with some vague juvenile intention of finding Josh and telling him that the next thing on his list of ways to piss off my family should involve insulting all their food to hell, and treating me like an actual independent person who has value beyond just the kitchen.
Until I catch sight of him.
Exploding up out of the pool, water sluicing down his hard, muscled body and the sun glinting off his ever-present charming smile.
I stagger to a halt, suddenly unable to stop looking.
He’s animated and laughing with someone else, not even looking my way, and I can’t work out what’s unexpectedly caught at me.
I’ve seen Josh hundreds of times - and I must’ve seen him half naked dozens of those.
How have I never before noticed how god-damn hot he is?
I mean, I always knew. Objectively. There’s a good reason he has a constant string of girls vying for his attention. And the way he uses his boyish good looks and powerful, stacked body has made me roll my eyes more than once. He’s attractive. I know that. I’ve teased him enough about it, same as he has me.
But I’ve never felt it before. Not in this gut-punching, sparks straight to my pussy kind of way.
Fuck.
This is not good.
“He’s really good with them.” I jump as Maria appears behind me.
“Huh?” I say stupidly, trying to work out what she’s talking about. I can’t take my eyes off Josh.
“They don’t usually warm to someone new so quickly - especially Ellie.” She continues. “It’s lovely isn’t it, watching them together?”
I blink again, and finally tear my gaze away from the water running down Josh’s rock-hard abs to see Lucas and Ellie bouncing around him in the pool.
They’re who he’s laughing and joking with, as he lunges and dives and just-about-misses them in some intricate game I can’t guess at from here.
“Ah, yes.” I agree absentmindedly.
Now that my focus isn’t narrowed down to just my crazy, bodily reaction, I can hear them shrieking with glee - shouting and screaming as they try and avoid Josh, and splashing out at anyone else who comes new.
“John seems to be appreciating the break, too.” Maria’s voice has turned amused, and I glance up to see John dozing on one of the sunbeds. “At least someone is watching my kids.”
I grin at her, starting to breathe properly again after the shock of seeing Josh…like that. I feel a rush of gratitude at her sudden appearance, and the inadvertent way she completely refocused me away from that crazed reaction.
Even if I can still feel it - an uncomfortable awareness at the edges of my consciousness, a niggling feeling that something is wrong.
But while I’m watching my niece and nephew, and have the distraction of Maria beside me, I can ignore that.
“You know,” After a few moments of looking over at them in silence, Maria starts talking again. “Mom didn’t mean that exactly how she said it.”
And…my fledgling feelings of kinship with her disappear.
“Yes, she did.” I say shortly.
“Well, maybe.” Maria sighs. “But she didn’t mean to insult you, she just…doesn’t understand, Cassie.”
I give her a highly skeptical look. I’m pretty sure she understands completely, and that’s exactly why she makes those pointed, insulting comments.
