Fight Me(13)
“No way. My mom’s a big fan of the saying ‘the more the merrier’.”
“Well, if you think they won’t mind, then okay.”
“Great. I’ll meet you at the front door.” And with that, Jake turns and walks out of the office.
What did I just get myself into? I stand there in my office for a few minutes and try to collect my thoughts. I can’t believe I am going to have dinner with Jake’s family.
When I walk into the foyer, Jake is patiently waiting by the door with his tools. “Ready to go?”
“I can drive myself. I’ll just follow you to their place.”
“Why? We’re both going to the same place.”
“I don’t need you to shuttle me around. I can drive.”
“I’m not denying that you couldn’t drive yourself. Why would you want to? Just get in my truck.”
“This isn’t a date. If I want to leave, then I can.”
“Why would you want to leave?”
“Why do you keep countering everything I say with a question?”
“Why do you insist on fighting me every step of the way?”
“You are the most stubborn man I know, and I’m so tired of you thinking you know everything!”
“I’m stubborn!?”
“Absolutely! If it’s not your way, then it’s the wrong way!”
Jake lets out a low growl and bends down to get right in my face. “Honey, your way is the most ass-backwards way I’ve ever seen! You want to fight with me just for the sake of fighting.”
“Maybe it’s your approach. Did you ever think of that?”
“What the hell is wrong with my approach?” Jake is standing at his truck, passenger door open as if waiting on me to jump in.
“You don’t ask. You assume or boss. I’m not someone you can just tell what to do and I’ll do it. Maybe you should try asking, Jake? How about that?” I say, arms defiantly crossed at my chest.
Jake lets out a loud sigh and drops his arms to his side. “Erin, why don’t we just ride together to my sister’s house? I’d be happy to drop you back off at home here when we’re done.”
I stand there, looking at him for a few heartbeats before I answer. “Okay. As long as you’re okay with dropping me back off when we’re done.” And with that I hop up in the cab of his old pick-up.
He’s staring at me, mouth gaping open. “Really? Just like that? I ask, you answer and hop up in my truck like it was no big deal?”
“It’s your approach, Jake. Ask and you shall receive,” I say with a semi-sweet smile on my face.
Jake shakes his head as he shuts the passenger door. I watch him walk around the cab of the truck and hop in the driver’s seat. He looks over at me one more time and shakes his head again.
“You drive me crazy,” he says under his breath.
“Well, don’t worry. The feeling is completely mutual,” I reply loudly. He throws his truck in reverse and heads out towards Avery’s new house. What did I just get myself into?
*****
When we reach what I assume is our final destination, Jake has to park down the street because of all the cars and trucks. The house is stunning. It’s big and has two huge bay windows on the front porch. I could definitely get comfortable in a house like this. You can hear the noise from down the block. It definitely sounds like there’s a party going on at this house.
A little girl of maybe three or four comes running out the front door when we approach the steps. “Uncle Jake!”
“Bean, what the heck are you doing out here without a coat on? Your mom is going to be very upset if you get sick. Do you remember how you had to go to the hospital a few months back when you got sick?” Jake picks up the little blue eyed, blond and snuggles her into his chest as he hurries inside the house.
“Who dat?”
“This is my friend, Erin. Can you say hi to her?”
“Hi.”
“Hi. And what is your name?”
“Bwookwyn.”
“Brooklyn is a beautiful name. It’s so nice to meet you,” I say as Jake sets his niece back down on the floor. He removes his coat and starts to make a grab for the collar of my coat.
“I can do it,” I say as I shake his hands off of my coat.
“Fine. Just thought I’d be nice and help.”
“You can try asking. You might get farther.”
Before Jake can respond, we are joined in the foyer by an older version of the woman I met twenty years ago. “Erin Anderson, is that you, dear?” Mrs. Steven says as she leans forward and gives me a gentle motherly hug.
“Hi, Mrs. Stevens. It’s so nice to see you again.”