Page 77 of Eight Steps to Alpha

Chapter 28

Steppinginto Aunt Mary’s backyard was like stepping into a five-star resort. There where tables with bright red umbrellas encircling the large, beautifully kept patio. White votive candles were everywhere, making everything look both rustic and magical at the same time. Over a hundred-people filled the small space, and if she wasn’t so nervous, she would be excited to see them all. Her parents, cousins, aunts and uncles, along with about fifty other people she didn’t recognize.

They were over an hour late, which meant news of their arrival had already spread like wildfire. Gossip like that traveled fast through the Porto family.

Panic rolled inside her stomach, and for a brief moment, she thought about confessing everything. About Elliot, about her lie. Telling them that he was in fact only her roommate, telling them the truth. But that would’ve only brought more questioning, which would only make things more difficult.

A server came toward them then, a full tray of wine glasses high on his shoulder. Not even waiting for him to come to a full stop, Fe took two glasses from the tray and handed one to Elliot. “Here, you’ll need this,” she said, taking a large drink.

He rocked on his heels, shoved one hand in his pocket, and smiled.

She glanced over at him, trying to make sense of why he appeared so happy. “What are you smiling about?” she whispered. “You’re about to get the third degree from my entire family, aren’t you nervous?”

He laughed. “No.”

She raised her brows. “I don’t think you understand, Elliot. They’re going to grill you. Embarrass you, ask you questions that will make you blush. If you thought my brothers were bad, you have no idea what you’re in for.”

Elliot laughed, then took a sip of his wine and shrugged. “Sounds like fun.”

“Fun!” She scoffed, “Fun?” Then downed the rest of the glass and turned her back for another.

Out of the corner of her eye, a billow of white hair came around the corner, and her eyes bulged. She turned in Elliot’s direction, downed his glass too, and put both empties on the table. “Brace yourself.”

“For what?” Elliot laughed.

“My aunt Maria.”

“Meu amorzinho, Meu amorzinho, they said you were coming.”

Fe turned around, barely facing her aunt before the old woman grabbed hold of her face and kissed both of her cheeks. “You look beautiful!” the woman said, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. “It must be love, amorzinho. Your mama told me about your man.”

Heat crept up her cheeks. “Happy birthday, Tia! I hope you’re having a good birthday.” She hugged and kissed her aunt before stepping backward. “I’d like to introduce you to my—” She cleared her throat. “Boyfriend, Elliot.”

The little old woman tsked her tongue, then slapped Fe’s hand again, and turned toward Elliot. “I’m eighty you know,” she said with a flirtatious grin, before glancing him up and down.

“This,” she said poking Elliot’s leg with her cane. “Must be the young man I’ve been hearing about.”

Fe grabbed another glass of wine and took a sip. “Tia, this is Elliot. Elliot, this is my Tia—Maria.”

Maria narrowed her eyes, making the creases in her forehead all the more prominent. She beckoned Elliot closer with the crook of her finger, then waited until he stepped toward her. “Meuslindões, let me look at you.”

He leaned in closer, until he was almost bent in half and grabbed hold of his face. She tilted it left and right, taking in every detail, then shook her head. “What happened to your eye?”

Elliot grinned, but remained completely still. “I played football with Fe’s brother’s.” It was just a small scrape, but enough for Maria’s old eyes to notice.

“Ahh,” she said in a low voice. “I’m glad you survived, Meus lindões.” A smile then spread across her face, and she shoved him away. “You make beautiful babies!” she exclaimed to Fe.

Trying to contain her laugher, she covered her mouth, but it was impossible. Elliot looked so shocked by Maria’s sudden dismissal, his mouth was practically hanging open.

She tried to warn him.

His cheeks were flushed when aunt Maria caught hold of his arm and pulled him forward. He was twice her height, could toss her over his shoulder with little effort, but it was apparent who wore the pants between them.

Maria waved a server down with a finger, then took another glass of wine and handed it to Elliot. “Drink up, Meus lindões, the night is young, and you have a beautiful woman who loves to dance!”

Elliot glanced over at Fe, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, before he set the glass on the table. “I’m afraid I’ll have to pass, Maria. We have to drive back to San Diego this evening.”

Maria shook her head and tsked her tongue. “Nonsense.” She took hold of her cane and poked it towards Fe’s belly. “You stay.”

---