Flirting with success

Chapter 21

A cute good morning text from Jill put me in a good mood for what was a scary day. Since I moved out I've not really been home so when I did come back mum made a really big deal about it. With the effort she went to anyone would think I was living on the other side of the world. She'd gone to Waitrose to get some gourmet crap for lunch. I wasn't that excited, it wasn't going to be as good as the maccies I had the day before.

My brother arrived just before lunch was ready. We've always had an odd relationship. I loved him like anyone loves their brother but certain choices he made with his life I struggle to get over. Despite this we were both keen to give mum the day she wanted and acted friendly.

"The food is almost ready Adam, why don't you take a seat" my mum said treating him like a prince. I hate this about him. No matter what he did or what I did, it didn't matter because he was always the favourite. "Soph hun, give me a hand putting it on the table" I could tell that this was going to go so wrong.

We were half way through the meal when I got enough courage to tell my family. "I have something really important to tell you all"

My brother was oblivious to the situation and competed for the attention from my parents "Can it wait Soph there's something i need to say first"

"Go on Adam love, what is it?" My mum said getting all excited totally disregarding what I had to say.

"Well as you know I've been with Gemma a little while now" Gemma is a girl my brother met down the pub a few months ago on one of his many binge drinking weekends. He is a successful lawyer with a fair wage. Unfortunately for him he doesn't handle the pressure of his job very well and now has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. My parents are too oblivious to notice this. His habits makes him more susceptible to gold diggers like Gemma who are only interested in his money. "Well I'm thinking of asking her to marry me"

"That's a bit quick isn't it Adam?" My dad chipped in

"But I can feel it, it's right I know it is" he said trying to justify his feelings

I was tired of my brother trying to steal my thunder "it's bloody ridiculous Adam, she only wants your money"

"Sophie!" My mum shouted ashamed of my language

"Be quiet Soph, you're just jealous" Adam retaliated

"Jealous of what exactly" I screamed so cross steam must have been coming out my ears

"Me having something you will never have" he said trying to get on my last nerve

"And what's that then, hmmm?" I was not giving this up

"Someone who actually cares about me" he said earning a disapproving glare from my dad.

"That's enou-" my dad attempted to get out before I interrupted him

"I do have someone who cares about me for you information" i said without even thinking. My dad had given up at this point

"Oh and where is he now? Not with you in your time of need, no you had to come home for some support didn't you? Whoever he is he's obviously useless"

"She is not useless, she is working. But I wouldn't expect you to understand having a partner that works because yours never do"

Adam didn't reply. My mums jaw dropped to the ground, my dad was so fed up I'm not sure he even heard what I just said. This is definitely not how I had planned this.