“No, this was all Melissa.” He points at Melissa as she walks up. “You can be mad at her. I tried to tell her you don’t like surprises,” he winks at me.
“Really? Shut up! You said you didn’t want me throwing her a surprise party, because you had your own surprise. And you didn’t want my surprise to outshine yours.” Melissa rolls her eyes at Darren, then smiles at me. Melissa doesn’t like Darren at all. She tells me all the time that I can do better than the khaki wearing prep schoolboy. I ignore her because what best friend approves of her best friend’s boyfriend?
“I should have known.” I laugh and squeeze her around the neck, trying to defuse the tension between Darren and Melissa.
“Hey, I hate to break this up, but some of us are starving. What? Did you two take the scenic route here?” Melissa’s father asks.
“Stop it, Al.” Melissa’s mom, Patti, slaps her husband on the shoulder. “Here sweetie, your first legal alcoholic drink.” Patti hands me a martini and guides me over to the table. Over the last two years, I have come to see Melissa’s parents as my own. They welcomed me into their big family with open arms. Melissa’s dad, Al, talks loud and sounds grumpy most of the time, but he really is a sweetheart that gives great hugs. Patti reminds me a lot of my mom and has shown me nothing but love and kindness. Not to mention, she is one hell of a cook. I’m surprised I haven’t gained a ton of weight from devouring her cooking every chance I get.
We feast for hours on some of the best Italian food the Bronx has to offer. Tonight, my heart is completely full for the first time in over two years. I’m truly blessed to have each one of these people in my life, but it makes me miss my family even more. The past two years have been rough, being so far from home. I jumped headfirst into a scary and unfamiliar world, but each person at this table helped to make the city that never sleeps a little less scary. With all the joy I feel in my heart right now, I’d love nothing more than to be with my family back on pack land. However, the thought of being back on pack land ties my stomach into knots of anxiety. As much as I miss my family, I’m not looking forward to dealing withhim.
After dinner, we make our way from the private dining room up the stairs to the bar. Where Melissa insists I wear a sash that reads, ‘Buy me a drink, I’m twenty-one’, and a crown that has twenty-one in cheap plastic jewels that lights up. It’s completely cheesy but hilarious, so of course I go along and wear it. This fits so well with Melissa and her family’s larger-than-life personalities. We drink, dance, and laugh. The shots and drinks from complete strangers are flowing. I’m having so much fun.
“Excuse me, ma’am, can I buy you a drink?” I’m tapped on the shoulder and a familiar voice fills my ear. I turn and come face to face with my brother.
“Kelsey!” I scream and leap into his arms. I squeeze him so tight around his neck, I’m sure I’m cutting his oxygen off. “You’re here?” I pull away, holding his arms and taking him in before pulling him in for another tight squeeze. I don’t want to let him go. My brother is here in the flesh, and I feel like I’m floating on cloud nine. My heart is overflowing with love that I think it might burst. Is this the surprise Darren was talking about? I pull back from the hug again and look at my brother. Since I’ve been gone, Kelsey has aged some… looks more mature since the last time I saw him… taller too, I think. I can’t believe how much he looks like our dad.
“Of course I am. Do you think I’d miss my baby sister’s twenty-first birthday?” He brushes the hair out of my face. “I didn’t come alone, though. I’d like to introduce you to someone special. This is Sonia, my m… fiancée.” Sonia steps into view and I let out a breath, thanking Goddess it wasn’t someone else.
“Hi,” I hug her. She’s tall like me, with a slender build. She is so beautiful, with red hair and porcelain skin. Her smile is so infectious that it can light up the room. Kelsey is a lucky fella.
“Don’t be pissed…” Kelsey’s face turns serious as he grabs my arm and whispers in my ear. I look at him with a confused look.What does he mean by that?He steps aside without letting go of my arm. Suddenly, I’m staring into a familiar set of eyes. Eyes that I never wanted to see again, because they’re attached to the man who ripped my heart out and stomped it to death two and a half years ago.What the hell is he doing here?I understand why Kelsey is still holding my arm. He’s keeping me from running away.
I take slow and shallow breaths. My heart races as I fight back emotions. I stand frozen in place, not too sure how to handle this situation. I’ve thought many times about what I’d say to him when I saw him again, but every scenario ended with me running away, unable to face the man who hurt me so badly.
Our eyes stay locked on to each other’s as he steps forward from the shadows of the dimly lit bar. When his smiling face comes into the light, his fresh scent hits my nose and I’m transported back to happier times with him. He takes his place beside me, across from my brother, who still has a firm grip on my arm. Sonia is standing in front of me with her arm wrapped around Kelsey.
“Hi, angel.” He places a gentle kiss on my cheek, and I swear there is the tiniest spark there.How can that be?I rejected him; the bond is severed.
“Ian,” I gulp and say with a quivering voice. After so much time apart, he still makes my heart skip a beat. Ian slips his hand under my elbow and Kelsey releases my other arm. Ian’s hand is rougher than the last time he touched me, but his touch is still gentle. I look down at my elbow in his hand and back into his eyes. The familiar haze of the mate bond fills my mind, and the world disappears.
“I missed you, angel.” He closes the space between us and leans down into my neck. His warm breath teases my skin, and I instantly want more.
Someone bumps into me from behind, breaking the haze and jolting me back to reality. I pull my elbow from his hand before I completely lose control of my mind and body. “Where’s Zane?” I clear my throat and hold my head high. Ian can’t know how much he still affects me. “Where there’s one, the other two are usually around.” I purse my lips, looking at my brother. Ian snorts under his breath. He’s either disapproving of me removing my elbow from his hand or he knows exactly the effects he still has on me. I know one thing, any buzz I had going on is long gone.
“Home. Rebeka’s parents came down to spend time with the twins.” Kelsey smiles at me apologetically.
“Oh, how old are they now?” I steady my gaze on my brother, not paying attention to Ian. Although I can feel his stare burning into my skin.
“Sophia and Carina will be three in four months.” Kelsey wraps his arm around Sonia’s waist, glancing at Ian.
“Three already?” I’m taken aback.
“You’ve been gone far too long, angel.” Ian whispers in my ear. “Can we talk privately, please? I have a gift for you.” The sweet smell of whiskey lingers on his lips.
“Hey, babe.” Darren puts a drink in front of my face from behind. “I brought you another drink. Can’t let the birthday girl go without a drink in hand. Who are your friends?” He pushes his body into mine as if he is making his claim.
“Thanks… babe.” I side glance at Ian, then take the drink from Darren’s hand. “Guys, this is my boyfriend, Darren.” I take a sip and wait for the ball to drop.
“Babe…” Kelsey laughs.
“Boyfriend?” Ian growls.
“Well,” Kelsey clears his throat, “Darren, I’m Kelsey. Kate’s older brother.” He extends his hand to Darren.
“Nice to meet you… wow, that’s some grip you have there.” Darren pulls his hand from Kelsey’s grip.
“I’m Ian. Kate and I go way back. She was the girl next door.” Ian shakes Darren’s hand.