by Tessa Teevan
“If I’m thinking so loudly, then shouldn’t you already know what’s on my mind?” I ask with a smile on my face, grateful that just a little bit of teasing from him can put me at ease.
I think this is why it was so easy to jump right into a relationship with him. Everything about us is comfortable. That’s not to say that it’s boring, but unlike most new relationships, I don’t have the early relationship jitters, wondering if he’s going to wake up the next day and realize that he doesn’t want to be with me. No, it’s not like that at all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Every day spent together feels right, like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, with whom I’m meant to be with, and instead of feeling smothered, I’m quickly becoming used to having Cohen as a part of my daily life.
In all reality, it should scare the hell out of me. In a few short months, we’ll both be graduating, and I know he’s heading right off to Memphis to pursue medical school. As for me, I have no clue what I’m going to do. Dad keeps pushing graduate school on me, but I really just want to hit the streets and start my journalism career. Either way, I have no idea what the future holds for me and Cohen, and I try not to dwell on it. It’s way too soon to even be considering the future, let alone discussing it with him.
“Are you wishing you hadn’t been so quick to agree to brunch?” he asks astutely, almost as if he really could hear my thoughts.
“It’s not that. I’m just nervous, I guess. I haven’t been in a relationship long enough to meet the parents since I was in high school. And I certainly never would’ve considered taking this step after just a week. What do they even know about me? Am I Andi, the girl you’re tutoring and spending time with, or Andi, the girl you claimed as yours after just one date? The one who was screaming your name last night and wants to turn back around and get back in bed so she can do it again?”
Cohen chuckles as he puts the car in park. He’s distracted me enough that I didn’t even realize we’d pulled up to his parents’ house, and before I can get all crazy inside my head, he turns towards me, his hand still holding mine. His other comes up to cup my face as his thumb caresses my cheek.
“This is going to sound cliché. And I’m beginning to realize that, when it comes to you, I’m a walking, talking cliché. Ruby,” he says, his tone so reverent it leaves me breathless, “I haven’t had a girlfriend since I was twelve years old. You’re the first girl I’ve ever brought home who wasn’t a study partner or a friend. Granted, you’re technically both, but you’re so much more than that. When we walk through those doors, you’re meeting my family as my girlfriend. For the first time in my life, I want to introduce my family to the woman in my life, and she just so happens to be you. This just feels right. Trust me. It shocks even me, but I want them to meet you. You once were my great ‘the one that got away’ and I’m going to work like hell to make sure that never happens again. You’re not just my friend, and you’re definitely not just the girl I’m tutoring. You’re mine, Ruby. And I hope that you consider me yours.”
Stupid, hot tears form in my eyes and I shake my head, trying to get them to go away, but it’s no use. His words penetrate my heart, and emotional shockwaves at the force of my feelings for him meet the more logical brainwaves that are telling me that as right as it is, it’s still crazy. They crash together, and I feel conflicted, but my emotions win out. Who says love has to be logical?
Deep down, I know that this is what I want—he is what I want. I don’t want to be the one who got away, and my own fears are what ruined things last time. I know it deep down in my soul, and instead of getting freaked out at how fast things are happening, I accept it. It’s not like it’s a marriage proposal. We’re dating—exclusively. He’s my boyfriend. He’s mine. All mine. The thought is overwhelming, yet at the same time, giddiness bubbles up inside me like a volcano that’s just been biding its time, waiting for the right chemical reaction to cause it to erupt.
“I’ve new to this whole ownership thing, but if you’re telling me I’m allowed to lay claim to this,” I tell him, my fingers trailing down his chest, “and that,” I say with a grin as I spy the bulge in his shorts, “and most important of all, this,” I whisper as I bring my hand up to rest on his heart, “then, yes, Cohen. You’re mine.”
The smile on his face is dazzling, and it doesn’t disappear even as he leans in to kiss me. “That,” he growls, “will be yours in due time, but for now, can we please get through brunch without my dick threatening to tear out of my jeans?”
Laughing, I give him a peck and place my hand on the door handle. “Okay, okay. No more teasing. Let’s get this show on the road. How about it, Cohen? Are you ready to introduce your family to your first girlfriend?”
“I’m more than ready, Ruby,” he responds.
I watch as he exits the car and comes around to open my door, taking my hand and leading me up to the house. Instead of knocking or ringing the doorbell, Cohen opens the door and pulls me inside to a long hallway with a huge wall filled with family photos. I’m checking out the pictures and don’t notice that Cohen’s pulling me away until it’s too late.
All of a sudden, I find myself in a large, beautiful kitchen, my body pressed up against his side. An older woman with beautiful, blonde hair and fair skin looks at us with kind eyes while a younger woman, a pretty brunette, gives Cohen a knowing smile before she turns her grin on me. Something about her smile puts me at ease, and like an idiot, I give a stupid wave and then look down at my toes, where I mentally chastise myself for not repainting them, and then I chastise myself for caring what the hell my toes look like when I have more important things to worry about. Looking back up, I can see both women grinning at me, causing my nerves to flare up again.
“Mom, Charlie,” Cohen says, his voice sounding so much more confident than I’m feeling. “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Andi. Babe, this is my mom and Knox’s much, much better half, Charlie.”
He barely gets the words out before both women are bum-rushing us. His mom throws her arms around me and gives me a hug, and his brother’s girlfriend piles right on. It’s not until Cohen clears his throat that they give me space. His mom gives me an apologetic look as her hands brace my shoulders.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Andi. I’m Amelia. We’re so happy you’re joining us for brunch this morning,” she tells me, giving me a warm smile. She has a slow, Southern drawl that reminds me of my own mom, and a sense of comfort washes over me. Even in the most uncomfortable of situations, Southern hospitality always makes one feel at ease, and Amelia Wellington does just that.
“Thank you for having me, Amelia. I know it was unexpected. You have a lovely home,” I tell her, and she waves me off.
“With all my boys gone, it’s way too big. But we always have room for them to come back if they need…” Her words trail off.
The brunette is next to shove her hand in my face. “Hi, Andi. I’m Charlotte—but everyone calls me Charlie. Sorry I kind of conned you into coming, but like Amelia said, we’re so happy you’re here with Cohen. Knox was starting to get worried that he’d scared all the girls away with his love of petri dishes. You’re definitely a sight for sore eyes.”
Cohen winces at her teasing, and I see Amelia give him a sympathetic smile.
Laughing, I can’t stop myself from leaning towards her. “Just so you know, if it weren’t for his nerdy love of petri dishes, I wouldn’t be here right now. I don’t know what kind of girls he dated before me, but his brain is just as sexy as his six-pack, and if he wants to spend his time experimenting, I’m certainly not going to be the one to stop him.”
Charlie pulls back and studies me, and I wonder if I was a little too bold. What the hell. It’s absolutely ridiculous that anyone would think Cohen can’t get women because of his scientific preferences, and if I have to make an ass of myself to make them see that, then so be it.
All of a sudden, I’m being wrapped up in Charlie’s arms and she’s squealing. “I freaking love you!” she exclaims before pulling
back from me, her brown eyes dancing with amusement. “The last thing this family needs is a timid little mouse, and it’s obvious you’re anything but that. You’re just what I need to deal with the Wellington brothers. But feel free to keep the experimenting to yourself,” she tells me with a wink.
I’m pretty sure Charlie’s about to break out into Train’s Hey Soul Sister when Cohen pulls me away from her. His lips hover over my ear.
“You think my six-pack is sexy?” he grumbles, sending shivers down my spine.
Turning to him, I look up and meet his eyes. “Every single thing about you is sexy. Even your love for petri dishes.”
Before he can respond, I hear a throat clear behind us. Cohen keeps his arm firmly around my waist, but I pull back to see the new arrival. I nearly do a double take when I spy a gorgeous, rugged, sexier-than-sin man filling the kitchen doorway. As he holds on to the top of the doorframe, his shirt rises up to expose a rock-hard eight-pack, and I have to force myself to look up so I’m not ogling him. He’s clearly one of Cohen’s brothers, as they have similar coloring and facial features, but his eyes are different. Instead of Cohen’s deep green, his are dark, intense, and broody as hell. They don’t leave my face as he studies me, and it’s unnerving. We’re in some sort of stare down, and even though I don’t know why, I refuse to look away as he continues to size me up.
Charlie crosses to him and places an arm around his waist as she also pokes him in the stomach. She leans up on her tiptoes and whispers in his ear. His eyes soften just a little bit, and I wonder what she told him.
“Andi, this is Knox. Knox, this is Cohen’s girlfriend, Andi. Let’s not scare her off on the first day with brooding stares and silent intimidations, okay?” she warns, and I almost melt when a slow smile spreads over his face as he looks down at her.
She rises on her toes and gives him a quick kiss on the lips before she pulls away and pushes him towards me. Cohen’s hand tightens on my waist, but I pull from his grasp and take Knox’s hand as he extends it out in front of him.
“Hey. Like my woman said, I’m Knox, Cohen’s older and much better-looking brother,” he tells me, shooting me a smile that I’m sure has melted even the coldest of panties over the years, and I can see that Cohen favors him. He takes my hand and pulls me a little closer to him before leaning down, a teasing glimmer in his eye. “Just so you're aware, I taught that kid everything he knows.”
I reel back and look around him to where Charlie is watching us, her lips twitching as she tries to hide her grin. Giving her an apologetic look, I sigh. “I’m so sorry to hear that,” I offer with a fake grimace. "So, so sorry."
She and Amelia look at each other and then back at me. Apparently meeting the family causes my foot-in-mouth syndrome to flame up, because even though I was joking, it probably was the wrong thing to say the first time meeting these people. I’m about to apologize when Charlie busts out laughing for the second time since I met her. Okay, maybe my jokes aren’t so bad. Knox smiles down at me and shakes his head as Cohen comes up beside me, slipping an arm around my waist.
“That’s not what you were saying last night,” he whispers loud enough for his brother to hear.
The two men exchange high fives, and flames cause my cheeks to flush.
“Okay, you two. Leave the poor girl alone,” Amelia says, and I’m thankful for the interlude.
“I like her, kid.” Knox nods his approval to Cohen, and warm butterflies fill my stomach. I know Cohen admires and looks up to his brother, so his stamp of approval is just as important as his parents’.
Cohen nods, and just like that, all the tension of meeting his family melts away as Amelia beckons me over to the island in the middle of the kitchen, where Charlie meets us. Knox and Cohen start up a conversation about who knows what, and I try to tune them out as Amelia asks about my family. I’m relaxed as the atmosphere becomes comfortable, and the more I interact with his family, the more I like them.
Just as Cohen comes up behind me, I turn to see another tall, dark, and extremely handsome man stumble into the kitchen. At first, he doesn’t seem to notice that anyone else is in the kitchen, and everyone falls silent as they watch him drink straight from the orange juice carton in the fridge. Note to self: politely decline the OJ at brunch.
Knox clears his throat, and the new stranger quickly looks up, his gaze flicking around the room until he sees me next to Cohen. His eyes lock on mine, and I can’t look away. His stare is examining, and I feel dizzy under his scrutiny, more so than Knox’s. This must be the other brother. The one who put a wedge between the family all those years ago.
“Who’s the chick?” he asks in a gruff tone before taking his eyes off me and turning back to the refrigerator to pull out a beer. He pops the top and takes a long swig, and I fight the urge to check my watch. “Let me guess. Another Wellington’s down for the count? Perfect. Just be careful, little brother. Those redheads can be feisty. Remember what I told you,” he says to Cohen in warning, and I make a mental note to find out later what exactly that means.
Cohen’s about to respond when Amelia beats him to it. “Branson! Leave the girl and your brother alone,” she scolds.
He shrugs his shoulders as he gives her an apologetic smile, but when he turns back to me, a smirk forms on his lips just before he takes another drink and walks out of the room, leaving as quickly as he came.
Before I can ask Cohen what he meant, a man who looks like a carbon copy of Knox, just twenty-plus years older, enters the room. He gives both Amelia and Charlie a kiss on the cheek before he notices me with Cohen. A warm smile covers his face as he moves closer to us.
“Ah, so we get to meet the girl who was finally able to pull you out of the lab?” he asks Cohen in a pleasant and only slightly teasing tone.
Clearly Cohen’s family has no idea that he hasn’t exactly been lacking female companionship throughout his college career, and for some reason, the thought makes my heart warm. His dad extends his hand out to me, and I place mine in his, giving him a firm shake.
“It’s nice to meet you. As you can tell, I’m the old man around here. Call me Knox,” he offers and my eyes flick to Cohen in confusion. He mouths that he’ll tell me later and I let it fall from my mind as I introduce myself to his dad. I take a moment to study him, and hell, if this is what Cohen’s going to look like later in life, I’m going to be hard pressed to ever let him go. He’s handsome, and just like Amelia, his eyes are kind and he has a Southern gentlemanly charm.
As we move into the dining room for brunch, I proceed to spend more time dutifully answering questions than I do eating, but I don’t mind. His family is extremely pleasant, and even Branson manages to crack a smile from time to time.
“So, Andi, what do you plan on doing after graduation?” Charlie asks.
Cohen shifts in his seat, looking away, and I wonder what he’s thinking. This isn’t anything we’ve talked about, and to be honest, I’m not even sure what the future holds for me.
“I’m still trying to figure that one out. Grad school’s always in the back of my mind, but I’ve applied for a few journalism internships that I’m still waiting to hear from, so I’m not making any drastic decisions just yet. I figure I have a few months before I’m thrust into the real world.”
“Internships?” Cohen asks, looking at me quizzically. I’m not sure why there’s surprise in his voice. Even though we haven’t discussed our post-graduate plans, I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’s going off to med school.
As if on cue, Branson clears his throat and chimes in. Pointing at Cohen with a piece of bacon, he eyes me. “Have you two talked about what’ll happen when Cohen goes off to medical school? Yeah, he may be a little chemistry genius right now, but it’s going to be a whole different ballgame when he gets to Memphis. Long hours, even longer studying sessions, exhaustion—the works. What happens then?”
I don’t think Branson’s trying to be a jerk. The look on his face is sincere, and I think he’s truly just
thinking of his brother’s best interest, but Cohen doesn’t seem to see it that way. He jumps on the defensive.
“Jesus Christ, Branson. We’ve been dating for all of a week. Graduation is months away. Of course we haven’t discussed this, and we’re not going to, so drop it.” His tone is gruff, and I see the surprise in Branson’s eyes.
Branson simply nods and sits back in his chair, but he doesn’t take his eyes off us.
Fortunately, Amelia changes the subject, and for the rest of the meal, the conversation is light. Cohen is still tense beside me, and I bring my hand to his bouncing leg, hoping to relax him. Glancing around the table, I see that no one is paying attention to us, so I lean in close and steal a quick kiss.
“Calm down, babe. He’s just looking out for you. It’s not a big deal.”
He lets out a deep sigh, the rests his forehead on mine. “You’re the only person who’d give Branson an excuse when he’s just trying to be an ass,” he says, but he smiles, and I know it worked.
His shoulders relax and he sits back in his chair. Then he takes my hand under the table as he engages in conversation with Knox. I steal a peek at Branson, and I catch him still looking at me with what looks like interest and perhaps acceptance. A small smile seems to be playing on his lips, and instead of letting it form, he’s quick to take another sip of his beer. With a quick nod in my direction, he scoots away from the table and disappears in the direction of the kitchen without a word.
BRANSON’S QUESTION about the future puts me on edge, and I’m not sure why. It’s way too soon for us to be thinking about it, let alone discussing the issue. Just because things are going well now doesn’t mean that, in four months, we’ll still be together. The thought of not being with her sends a quick pang to my heart, and instead of examining it, I lash out at Branson. It’s not until Andi’s hand lands on my thigh, her lips on mine, that I calm down. Forcing the thoughts of the future out of my brain, I try to concentrate on my conversation with Knox.