The key to forever, p.17
The Key to Forever, page 17
Mom did though. She walked over immediately and smiled. “What did I hear?” She hugged Ethan then Tori but stopped to whisper in her ear. “Did you forget to tell me?”
“Matter of fact I did. It’s new but I would have eventually gotten around to it.” She couldn’t help the saltiness in her tone. Apparently she hadn’t recovered from Mom’s deceptiveness about her love life.
Ethan only shrugged. “I better take these over to Aunt Amy.” He tilted the full box of wine and beer so Mom could see then walked off toward the back of the house.
“Honey, I didn’t apologize the other day and I should have. I don’t want anything negative hanging between us.”
Tori’s shoulders relaxed. Maybe all she needed was to hear her mom’s regret. “Forgiven. Where is the boyfriend by the way?”
She checked her watch. “He should be here in about an hour. He takes care of his elderly parents on the weekends to give his youngest brother a break.”
“I’d like to learn more about him if you don’t mind telling me.”
“Of course not. First you better make the rounds. Melanie went to the store for ice but should be back in a minute.”
Tori nearly choked on her own spit. She’d been so preoccupied with her mother’s love life, she’d totally forgotten Melanie was flying in. “I forgot. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Well, you’ve been pretty busy. When do I get to come to a gig?”
“In a couple weeks, there’s one on a Saturday night so you don’t need to worry about getting up early the next morning. I’ll leave tickets for you and Edgar.”
Mom smiled at Tori and pulled her in for another hug. When she stepped back, Mom’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “Thank you.”
Next, Tori stopped at the grill to hug Leah. “I guess you heard.”
Leah beamed. “I did indeed.”
“I think you planned it.”
Leah changed her features into her most innocent expression, blinking Bambi eyelids and all. “Who me? Why would you ever think such a thing?”
All Tori could do was laugh. “Wow.” She looked at the grill. “Are we having anything else besides ribs?” Tori didn’t partake. They always did beef ribs when dining with Leah’s family, but the huge dinosaur-looking bones weren’t good in her opinion.
“Of course. There are already hamburgers and beef hot dogs in the kitchen. Plus, we have some trout and salmon to put on the grill last. Those don’t take long.”
“Okay. That’s sounding pretty good.”
“I’m happy you approve, doll. I saw you brought potato salad. I love how you make it.”
Tori nodded. Everyone did. It was like McDonald’s french fries. A little sugar went a long way to taste and addiction. It was practically like crack or something. “Is Asher not coming?”
“He and Sonya will be here. I’m sure right as we’re serving the food.” She laughed, light and airy. Apparently, she knew her son and had accepted him a long time ago.
“You know Sharon has a little boyfriend. He’s on his way.”
Tori blinked. What in the world happened to her family? “I guess you’ll be booed up next, huh Auntie?”
Leah laughed and sprayed some water on the coals then closed the lid of the barbecue pit. “Not likely. I’m just trying to concentrate on my health. Never say never though.”
“Et tu, Auntie? Et tu?”
She only laughed and put an arm around Tori’s shoulder. “I didn’t say anything. I’m still quite single and not looking so that’s all I have to say on the topic.” She led Tori to the back door.
When they entered the kitchen, Ethan had been put to work. He wore pressed shorts and a crisp T-shirt, but it was already wilting with his labor. He scraped a white milky substance into what looked like a wide metal tube. “They’re making ice cream.” He waggled his eyebrows and smiled.
“Why are you so happy? Or are you not eating meat today?”
“Definitely not. I don’t eat a lot of beef anyway. Did you see those whole trout dressed on the counter? I’m salivating just thinking about them coming off the grill.”
She hadn’t seen them. She glanced around the kitchen at the food already on the counters and stove, then set her bag of rolls next to the offering. A pan of baked macaroni and cheese caught her attention. “Yum.” She lifted a pot and took in the comforting smell of pinto beans. A pan of corn bread sat next to the stove. Another pot held simmering green beans.
Amy bustled in from somewhere in the house. There were three levels with balconies on each that led to another height in the backyard. The way the yard was set up, you could only get to the top of the yard through the house.
Tori loved the Berkeley Hills, but she was happy living down below, closer to the water. She didn’t mind visiting her aunt when she was ready for some hiking though.
Amy hugged her. “There’s my niece. What’s good?”
“All this yummy food apparently. I can’t believe you’re making ice cream.”
“I will if your aunt ever makes it back from the grocery store.” She patted Tori’s shoulder and opened the refrigerator.
“Whew, Chile, my ears are burning.” Aunt Melanie bustled in through the back door. “Here’s your precious ice, sister.”
Ethan ran to help her with her burden and placed the two large bags of ice in the sink.
“Thanks, babe. Come here and give me some sugar.”
Ethan complied.
Tori inched over toward her aunt, excitement building the closer she got.
Melanie let Ethan go and gave Tori the tightest hug she’d ever had. “There’s my girl. I missed you.” She stepped back and took Tori in. “You get prettier every time I see you.”
Tori grinned and shook her head. “You say that every time you see me, Auntie.”
Melanie put her hands on her hips. “Well, it’s true.” She hugged her niece again. “So what’s new?”
Amy grunted. “Wait until you hear.”
Ethan, the coward, stepped out the back door.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Ethan
If there was a picture of gluttony next to the definition in the dictionary, Ethan’s photo would absolutely be there front and center. In color.
Yet…the mac and cheese was calling his name. He’d had his fill of trout, green beans, and Tori’s potato salad that was actually pretty good. He wasn’t sure why he was surprised, but he’d never seen her cook. When he thought about a life partner before, he hoped they’d be able to put together something edible because they’d starve if he had to put his skills to use. He chuckled at the thought because this was the first time he’d allowed himself to dream Tori might want him for the long haul. Not that she’d given him too much to hang onto—other than not bolting when he told the family they were together. He didn’t want to pressure her, but it would be nice to hear that she liked him for more than sex. He felt it, but words never hurt.
Ethan looked at Tori, busy chatting with Sharon and Sonya a mile a minute and nearly sighed in contentment. She was truly everything he ever wanted even if he hadn’t actively thought about what he wanted other than someone who wanted to get married too. Okay, so maybe not everything he wanted. At this point, he’d take whatever she gave him but hoped for more.
When Tori took a breath, he leaned over and picked up her empty plate to add to his own. “I’m going inside for a little more taste. Can I get you anything?”
She grinned. “Are you having more of my delectable potato salad?”
He hung his head in shame. “It was really good, but I was thinking mac and cheese. Mom never made it and your mother stuck her big toe in that pan.” Just once, he would love to be able to lie easily. Just a little white one to spare her feelings.
She leaned in. “You know what, get me a little more too. You are so right.” Then she laughed and kissed him on the nose.
Relief slammed into him. Again, he marveled how suited they really were. She took his honesty in stride and never let it or criticism he may have touch her. He kissed her back, a lingering touch of his lips to her temple.
“Hey, stop that. I’m trying to eat.” Sharon giggled and went back to talking with Sonya.
“Be right back.”
When he stepped back into the house, low voices floated in from another room. He set their plates down and headed for the downstairs bathroom since he was already inside. May as well take a bio break real quick. When he rounded the corner, the voices were still low but more clear.
Someone was angry. “Does she know about Hector? I can’t believe you invited Edgar.”
Ethan came face-to-face with Melanie and Elizabeth, both schooling their faces to smiles. Not quick enough though. Ethan saw the clear fright on Melanie’s face. He’d mistaken her tone for anger, but her expression told a different story.
“Hi, baby. What’s going on?”
He could ask her the same thing. “Just going to the bathroom. Everything okay, Aunt Melanie?”
“Of course. Why do you ask?” Her gaze skirted over Elizabeth whose face remained neutral.
“You seemed upset. Can I help with anything?”
She gave him a quick hug then headed down the hallway. “You’re the sweetest. Always have been.”
Elizabeth smiled and patted his shoulder. “Everything’s fine.” Then she followed her sister.
Ethan made quick work in the bathroom but lingered as he washed his hands. While he waited for the water to turn hot, he stared at himself in the mirror. Just as he suspected, a deep crease was taking space in between his eyebrows. He needed to fix that before he went back outside because although he just promised Tori earlier in the week he would never keep anything from her, he wasn’t sure what this was. It was definitely something though. And even though he would usually turn a blind eye because it didn’t have anything to do with him, this time he’d need to investigate because his gut said whatever had Melanie so scared had something to do with Tori.
After heating up the food in the microwave, Ethan took his and Tori’s plates outside to where the tables were set up. Someone had cranked up the music and Edgar and Elizabeth danced on the patio. Sharon and her boyfriend, James, joined them, laughing and swaying to the music. Melanie sat next to Tori, eyes darting between her niece and the dancers.
Ethan set Tori’s plate before her. “Be right back. I’m going to hit up Asher real quick.”
Asher sat at a table alone since his wife was still near Tori. He sipped on a beer. “What’s up little bro?”
Ethan slid into the chair next to him. “Everything okay? You sitting over here by yourself.”
“Yeah, man. Sometimes I enjoy a little down time. Recharging your batteries is a real thing.”
Ethan nodded. “You want me to leave you to it?” He had questions but also respected his brother taking care of his mental health needs.
“No, we’re good. You and Tori, huh?”
First Ethan would take some calming breaths. His brother made it completely clear how he felt about a relationship with Tori, but he didn’t want to fight today. Especially not with Tori ten feet away.
“Yeah, me and Tori. You have something to say?” Why couldn’t he ever just ignore things?
“I’m happy for you. I don’t object to her at all. She’s like a big sister. I just didn’t want you to get hurt, but looks like you were able to hold her down.”
“I’m not sure I’d put it that way, but she’s giving me a chance. I’m lucky.”
“I’m happy for you. I hope it works out for you both.”
Surprise bubbled up, but Ethan tamped it back down. “Thanks. Me too.” He leaned in a little closer to ensure Tori, and more importantly, Melanie, didn’t hear him. “Do you know what’s up with Edgar?”
“Up? Like his story? All I know is he’s originally from Puerto Rico but has lived here since he was a kid. He’s a systems engineer and went to Stanford back in the day. That’s about it.”
“Do you know who Hector is?”
Asher pursed his lips in thought. “I don’t think so but the name sounds familiar. Why?”
“Just something I overheard Melanie say. She seemed upset Edgar’s here.”
Something registered in his brother’s eyes, but Asher quickly blinked it away.
If Asher knew what was going on, then Ethan was getting a bad feeling in his gut. Something wasn’t right. He believed that now more than ever. But everyone was being tight-lipped. He’d need to do some research on his own. First thing was finding out Edgar’s last name.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Tori
Tori led Ethan onto the makeshift dance floor. By now, everyone was out there except Asher. He’d been in a good mood earlier, but now sat alone nursing the same beer. Even Sonya left her husband to join in the fun.
Ethan grabbed Tori’s hips to pull her closer then quickly let go, glancing around.
She pushed herself closer to him as they did the latest popular dance. “You can rub up against me. Nobody cares.” She threw her head back and laughed at Ethan’s pained expression. He’d never been this uptight around her before. At least he was doing better than his brother.
“Let’s give them a chance to get used to us first.” Then he grinned and relaxed his shoulders and rocked his head back and forth.
“That’s better.” They laughed and danced and talked with those near to them. Then a song came on and the old heads lost it.
Mom and Edgar threw their hands up and rapped to the beat.
Amy leaned over to Tori. “A little before my time but ‘Rapper’s Delight’ was the stuff back in your mom’s day. I can still remember her cranking up KSOL on Saturday mornings while we cleaned.”
“That was a long time ago.” Tori continued to dance and relish the excitement around her. Mom still cranked up the music on Saturdays but she used a Bluetooth speaker and a playlist instead of the local radio station. Or at least that’s what she did when Tori lived there. Now she has secret boyfriends and did who knows what.
Tori shook it off and let the music ground her. That was her constant, the music. She listened as the singer talked about hypnotizing all the ladies. Tori raised her hands in the air and swayed. “I know that’s right.”
Ethan grinned and pulled his bottom lip between his teeth.
A tingling feeling lit up the space between her legs. She got closer. “You keep pulling those sexy faces and I might give our families something to really look at.”
This time Ethan pulled her in, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Not too close for their family to raise their brows, but close enough to feel his exhales on her neck. “You keep up those sexy dance moves, and I might let you.” His chuckle was low and throaty.
Tori had more than tingles going on down there now. Did her pussy just clench? “Careful, love.”
He pulled back a little and smiled. “You right.”
She released a howl of a laugh. Then kept right on dancing as near as Ethan would let her. She wiped the sweat from her brow. “Dang this is a long song.”
“Let’s get something to drink.”
Tori nodded and followed Ethan to the coolers. She’d hear about not being able to hang from her mother and aunts later.
They secured water bottles and sat back down. Tori rubbed her belly. “All that dancing and I just might be ready for some of that homemade ice cream.”
“Oh, I completely forgot about that.” The way Ethan licked his lips had Tori thinking ice cream wasn’t the only thing he was thinking about eating later.
Tori was here for it.
“I’ll go see if it’s ready. Be right back.”
She smiled her agreement and took a long pull of her water. Whew, that was good and cold, almost icy. She watched Ethan walk into the house, admiring the way his ass looked in his shorts.
“You really have it bad, huh?” Mom sat down across from her and Edgar followed.
Tori grinned but shook her head. “It’s new, but I really like him. Who knew?”
Elizabeth grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I’m glad.”
Tori turned her attention to Edgar. “We haven’t had a chance to talk yet. Are you enjoying yourself?” The question was unnecessary because he had the biggest smile in the world pasted to half his face. He was closer to Mom’s age but maybe not quite as old. His brown skin still had a smooth glow, and his black hair was shot through with some gray, but he had a younger look about him. And now that she got a good look at him, he seemed familiar.
“I really am. I’m so happy to meet everyone. Such hospitality. And the food…” He ran a hand over his stomach. “So good. I’ve never had such tasty potato salad. I’m normally not a fan.”
Tori laughed. “You don’t have to butter me up. As long as Mom likes you, I’m down.”
Elizabeth tilted her head to the side and gave Tori a small smile, somehow sad.
She wouldn’t ask, especially in front of Edgar, but Tori wondered what was going through Mom’s mind. If she had to guess, keeping Edgar hidden these past three years had taken a toll and she was probably reflecting on how they could’ve been doing this all along.
Tori still couldn’t understand why Mom kept him secret. Especially now that she no longer lived at home.
“No, seriously. It was really good.”
“I’m happy you enjoyed it. Do you live in Berkeley?”
Mom shot him a quick look, but not quick enough for Tori to miss it.
Edgar stuttered a little. “N-no, but I live in the Bay Area.”
That was vague but if he didn’t want to say, Tori wouldn’t badger him about it. He must have his reasons.
“I’m originally from Puerto Rico, but we moved to the Bay when I was a little boy. Seven, I think.”
“I bet that was a culture shock. Do you have siblings?”
Edgard cleared his throat. “Y-yes, er, a couple younger brothers.”
Tori wasn’t imagining that Edgar had become nervous all of a sudden. Maybe he didn’t like the twenty questions. “I always wanted a brother.”
