Page 65 of Rider Forbidden
They get pushed forward and an older man and woman walk in. The man has two carrier bags which look like they're full of takeaway containers.
Jack looks at me. “Sorry about this.”
I don't know what to say, I don't exactly know what is happening. Eli comes running and sits with me, obviously intimidated by all these people bundling into Jack’s living room.
I stand up, and Eli hugs my hip. I smile at everyone, everyone that is Jacks family.
The bearded guy turns to Jack. “Come on baby brother, introduce us.”
Jack rolls his eyes. “I'm never telling you anything again.”
Jack turns to me. “This is my family, my brother Declan, my sister Madison and my mum and dad, Jennifer and David. Guys, this is Robyn and her son Elijah.” All five pairs of eyes, including Jacks, flit between me and Eli.
Madison steps forward first, crouching straight to Eli. “Hello little man, Jack has told us about you, that you’re his new friend, and your mummy too.” She stands up and gives me a friendly smile. “Pleased to meet you, Robyn.”
Then Declan comes forward, Eli hugs my legs that bit tighter, no wonder, this guy is intimidating - both his size and his presence - I’d hug Eli back if I could. “Robyn.” He leans in to kiss my cheek, wow he smells delicious. I know he’s a firefighter from what Jack has told me and Jesus, this guy in his fireman uniform, I bet women start fires for this guy.
“Hey, nice to meet you.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and smile at him shyly, Jack clears his throat and I look at him, he’s smirking at me, knowing I'm crushing on his brother. Oops. Hell, I bet he’s used to it.
His mum and dad come towards me and both give me a peck on the cheek. “Nice to meet you, love.” His mum says in a gentle voice.
What are they all doing here?
His mum looks down to Eli, “How old are you, Eli?”
Not usually shy he looks up and says quietly “I'm four.”
Jack noticing his discomfort comes near me and scoops him up. “This is my best buddy aren't you Eli?” Eli looks so pleased at Jacks statement he nods. “Tell them what I'm cooking for you, for dinner.”
He looks at Jack’s mum. “Jack is making me chicken nuggets and chips with black sauce.”
They're all looking at Jack as though they can't believe what they're seeing.
His mum smiles softly. “Well, that sounds yummy. Come on in the kitchen with me and we’ll see if they're nearly done.”
Jack puts him down and Eli follows her into the kitchen.
Jack turns to the rest of his family. “So, to what do I owe this honour?”
Declan speaks “Well Maddie happened to mention that you were making dinner for Robyn, and then suddenly mum had a hankering for Chinese round at yours.”
I try to hide a smile. So they wanted to see what I was like. Madison rolls her eyes at me to say sorry. I smile at her.
His dad chuckles “I'm sorry, love. This has never happened before and I don't think Jen could control herself. It was like she was a woman possessed, she said she was coming over and we couldn't stop her so we thought if we came it would relax things a little.”
I shake my head. “It's fine, isn't it Jack?”
He looks over at me and slides his arm around my shoulder, drawing me into him. “You were gonna have to meet them sooner or later. I would have rather it been later so that you wouldn't run away screaming when you saw what a crazy family I had, but let's hope I’ve hooked you in enough already.”
He’s joking, I hope! I love that he thinks I was going to meet them at some point anyway. Everything he says makes me think this isn't a flash in the pan for him, him trying something new.
The evening goes so well. I love that Eli is surrounded by all these people and when he finds out that Declan is a fireman, he’s so impressed that he forgets to be scared.
I chat a lot to Madison, she is so lovely, soon to qualify at Uni as a marine biologist and is looking to travel, she’s away a lot doing different projects for her degree, but is home now while she awaits her results. She’s sweet, funny, gorgeous, and clever - so she’s got everything then!
Declan is quiet, he doesn’t say much. It’s strange though he has a dark scary look about him but when you talk to him you don’t feel intimidated, just that he’s holding himself back. I found out that he’s single, how the hell is he single? That’s all I find out about Declan - he has to leave early to start a shift at the fire station.
All in all, I get on well with his family. It gets to eight and Eli starts yawning - normally at home he goes to bed around now. Jack is sat on a sofa opposite me, Eli gets up and goes to climb on his knee and rests his head on his chest, yawning away, looking so cute. Jack wraps an arm around him. My insides melt. Seeing them together like this, seeing how comfortable Eli is with him, I can’t deal - it’s the sweetest thing. And Jesus, it makes Jack more attractive to me if that’s even possible.
