Page 27 of Maybe, Probably
“I love this song,” I tell her. “Every time it comes on, it gets stuck in my head for a minimum of a week.”
She startles from my comment at first, like she was stuck in her own thoughts, before she gives a soft chuckle. “This is a good song.” She begins tapping her hand on her knee to the beat. I linger on the movement for a minute before directing my head back to the road and focus on getting us there safely.
We drive for another five minutes before I flick my turn signal on, making my way to the gated driveway. I roll down my window and enter the gate code. Once we’re through, I chance a glance at Harper to see her reaction to my parents’ property. I never grew up without, and sometimes I forget how privileged I was, even though I don’t takemy parents’ handouts. I took that privilege and turned it into beneficial action, donating to animal foundations regularly.
Parking my truck, I quickly round the front to meet Parker at her door. I click the lock on my fob to ensure Harper doesn’t try to let herself out before I get there. I see Chloe’s car is already here, so they must be inside already. I wanted to time it this way, making it so that we were the last to arrive in hopes the shock factor would be maximized while also keeping the awkwardness to a minimum. I help Harper down, and she stands there, staring at the front door. She begins to wring her hands together, shifting back and forth on her feet.
I place my hand gently on her shoulder, squeezing it softly. “We don’t have to do this if you’re not comfortable. All you have to do is tell me you changed your mind, and I’ll take you right back home.”
She looks at me in disbelief, like she wasn’t expecting me to offer her an out. I don’t know how shitty Deke was when he was with her, but I’m going to guess she was dragged to a couple events she didn’t want to go to, based on that reaction.
“No, I’m fine. I want to do this, I’m just a little nervous. I’m not good with confrontation, and I honestly try to avoid it. So the fact that we are literally walking in there to cause one makes me a little dizzy.” She stops wringing her hands as she looks up at me. I can see the need for reassurance in her eyes, and I will not deny her comfort.
“Listen to me. If atanymoment, you feel uncomfortable? Tell me. I will be sitting beside you. Just grab my hand and squeeze twice, and I’ll fake a vet emergency so we can leave, okay?”
She takes a deep breath and nods.
“Good girl. Now let’s go see the look on Dwight and Chloe’s faces when we walk in, yeah?” I extend out my arm, offering my elbow for her to link with. She snorts softly before taking my arm.
“His name's Dalton,” she says, shaking her head while a soft smile curls at her lips. “You know this.”
“Potato, tomato.” I shrug before I open thedoors and we head in.
I lead the way through the house. It’s quiet, and my best guess is that everyone has gathered in the dining room. Perfect. Harper follows as I push the dining room door open, the noise permeating the previous silence.
My mom is in the middle of a discussion with Chloe, both of whom are very consumed in whatever they’re discussing. I look and see Darrin is at the bar with my dad. Their backs are toward us, so they don’t see our entrance. I wait, letting things settle before poking the bears. Harper's hand on my elbow has started to tighten as the anticipation of them acknowledging our presence rises.
I loudly clear my throat. Heads whip in our direction and I take a moment to take in everyone’s reaction as they realize, not only am I here, but I’m not alone. I only told my mom that I was bringing someone, but I had doubted she kept that to herself.
There are no emotions on my family’s faces. My father has no visible reaction other than a curious brow raise. Derek’s brows are furrowed in confusion, then I watch as recognition clicks in his head. His mouth opens and closes like a fish, but no words come out. It makes me smirk. I move over to my mother, who is now wide-eyed, and she has her hands softly covering her lips. There is a slight tip in her lips as she gives me a once over, before moving her focus to Harper. I can see my mother analyzing her, and I get a bit defensive, slowly moving my body to shield Harper from my mother’s view. My eyes finally land on my darling sister. Ms. Do No Wrong. Her face is twisted into a sneer, disgust mixed with disbelief.
“You’re kidding me right?” Chloe breaks the silence sarcastically. “You weren’t joking when you said you were bringingher.”
“Chloe!” Mom chides her. “What in the heavens are you talking about? Your brother finally brings a date to dinner, and this is how you treat her!” My mother stands up, making her way around the table to us. She has a smile on her face as she tries to peer around me again. Harper is still at my side holding on to my elbow. “I’m so sorry about my daughter. It’s thehormones you see, as she’s pregnant with our first grandbaby!” She claps quickly before offering her hand out to Harper.
Harper releases her hold so she can grasp my mother’s hand.
“I’m Penelope Hawthorne, Xavier’s mother. That’s his father, Theo, over there at the bar. My daughter Chloe is here too, with her fiance Dalton!”
A squeak comes from Harper's mouth as Chloe snaps, “Mom! We haven’t told anyone else yet!”
Harper schools her reaction with an impressive speed before she plasters a fake smile on her face. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Hawthorne. I’m Harper.”
Pulling Harper into my side, I watch my sister slowly boil. I can see the steam coming out of Chloe’s ears and I’m just waiting for the kettle to squeal. Dane still has a flabbergasted look on his face, but at least he shut his mouth.
“Oh please, Call me Penelope, darling!” She states before the sound of a chair scratching the floor breaks the pleasantries. All eyes turn to Chloe who is now standing, with her eyes narrowed in on Harper. I tighten my hold on her as I prepare for the tantrum of the century.
“Oh,please” She snaps, as one foot stomps on the floor. Her arms cross over her chest, and she sneers in Harper's direction. “Are you seriously that desperate that you had to bribe my brother to bring you tomyfamily dinner?” Chloe points aggressively at her baby daddy. “He left you.Period. He has moved on to better pastures, with someone who can keep up with what he wants…things thatyouweren’t giving him. Honestly, I–” I go to take a step toward her to give her a piece of my mind as she continues.
“Enough!” A deep voice booms through the dining room, all eyes turning to my father who is shaking his head. “Chloe, what is the meaning of this? You don’t speak to guests this way.”
“But daddy!” She starts, but my father’s hand raises, silently stopping her. I don’t know how he does it, but he can somehow get her to shut up when she’s on these fits. My body is wound tightly, coiled and ready to defend Harper. I can take the way my sister talks, but I’m beginning to seethe at the way she’s speaking to the woman standing at my side.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about Chloe. I met Harper at work, when she brought her dog in with an emergency. We got to talking, and we hit it off. Honestly, what’s pathetic is you thinking that the world revolves around you.” My grip has tightened around Harper’s shoulders. She ends up wrapping her one arm around my waist, slowly stroking circles on my lower back. The intentionality of her touch is one of the only things keeping me from completely losing it. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, but before I can continue, Chloe is at it again.
“Dalton! Are you just going to stand there and not say anything?!” Chloe shrieks, the last word ending on a high pitched note. Fuck, that killed my ears. All eyes turn to Deke, and his face is priceless; his eyes are round and wide, framed by black rimmed glasses.
He goes to take a drink, but it must go down the wrong tube because he begins sputtering and coughing. My father firmly pats his back trying to help him clear his airway. Chloe hasn’t moved an inch, but her face is pinched with some emotion. Just when it looks like Derek is about to speak, Harper surprises everyone by speaking first.
