Page 70 of Her Three Tech Bros

“It’ll be over before we know it. All we can do is be civil and hope they are, too,” Ethan says from my other side.

“Who’s going to be the biggest problem?” I ask.

“Hands down my family,” Logan answers, running a hand through his hair. I take his hand in mine, squeezing it. I hate that his family is so unsupportive. Logan is so amazing, and it makes me angry that anyone would make him feel this way.

“Mine definitely won’t be a picnic, either,” Ryan says from across the table. I wish he could be closer.

“They’re here,” Ethan says, nodding to the door next to us.

A hostess is opening the door and in walks an older couple, followed by a young girl that looks to be around my age. From the way Logan stiffens beside me, it’s obvious that these are his parents. I squeeze his hand harder, rubbing my thumb against the back of his hand.

His dad looks meaner than I’d imagined, and his sharp eyes are trained right on Logan. His mother follows behind him, not looking at any of us. They both take their seats, and I feel his father’s icy gaze land on me. I meet his eyes and stare back, unblinking, until he looks away.

Next, a younger man accompanies a middle-aged woman, and he looks exactly like Ethan. The man, I’m guessing Ethan’s brother, nods at him before looking at me and winking. They take their seats next to Ethan.

The door opens a third time, and another young man walks in, accompanied by an older couple. Ryan’s family. None of them look at us as they sit next to Ryan.

The hostess leaves the room and silence falls around us. Ethan clears his throat.

“Thank you all for coming. I know that –”

“This is outrageous,” Logan’s dad cuts him off. “The fact that you’ve all gathered us here for this bullshit is embarrassing. Do you know what you’re doing to your family?”

The last part is obviously directed at Logan. I peek at him, and he meets his father’s eyes, his jaw clenched.

“Dad, please.”

“No. I won’t sit by and let you do this to our image.”

“What image? Last I checked, I’m the only one in the family with an image,” Logan retorts.

“Yeah, and because you’re in the public eye, whatever you do is directly reflected upon us.”

From my right, I hear a sob. When I turn to look, Ethan’s mom is hysterical, tears streaming down her face.

“See? Look what you and your friends are doing!” Logan’s dad yells.

“Dad, stop.”

Ethan’s mom continues to sob, and Ethan reaches out to touch her arm. She flinches, shooting him a glare.

“He’s right, you know,” she says. “This isn’t right. None of this. You should be ashamed of yourselves. This is not what I wanted for my son.”

“Mom, I’m not trying to hurt you. I just don’t see how my personal relationship affects you guys in any way.”

“This isn’t you, Ethan!” she shouts. “What are you doing? Why are you doing this?”

She continues sobbing, and Ethan raises his hand again but drops it before he can touch her. I feel so bad for him, but I can’t make myself talk. It’s becoming clear to me that no one here is on our side. None of them care at all to get to know me.

“Mom, please,” Ethan’s brother says. His mother looks at him, and I’m not sure whether she looks confused or angry.

“What? You actually support this?” she asks him.

His brother shrugs. “I don’t see why not. It doesn’t affect me, and Jade seems like a perfectly nice girl. If she makes my brother happy, then what does it matter?”

He looks at me and smiles. I smile back, albeit a bit hesitantly.

“I’m Henry, by the way,” he says.

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