Back in the Game

Ch. 9 ~ "Family" Dinner

Maybe I overreacted a little bit when I saw the creepy blue van in our tiny driveway. Can you blame me though?

I squinted at the shadow as it stepped into the light. It was a teenage boy, maybe a few years older than me.

"Who are you??" I snapped, his gaze falling on me.

"I could be asking you the same thing," he looked at me suspiciously. I looked past him at my front door where my dad stood with a woman next to him.

My dad gave me a warning stare, and I looked at him confused. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Remy, this is Julie, and that's one of her sons, Mason," my dad said with a smile toward them. A very fake smile.

I was uncomfortable standing here and looked at Julie. She had crystal blue eyes and bleached blonde hair. Two round, sparkling earrings hung from her ears. She appeared to wear a nice top and fancy black jeans.

Three questions.

One, what were they doing at MY house?

Two, one of her sons?! There were more?!

Three, why didn't dad say anything to me about them sooner?

I looked at Mason with a glare, him eyeing me like he already hated me. What did I do?

My dad gestured us inside, and I followed after Mason, rolling my eyes. Though they hadn't really said anything yet, I had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, as I walked inside, two more boys were sitting on the couch, on their phones. I sighed inwardly as I looked questionably at my dad.

He only glared hardly at me and I looked away, starting up the steps before Julie stopped me.

"I've heard so much about you, Remy. As you know, I'm Julie," she smiled at me, and I looked her up and down. I put on my best attitude.

"Yeah, glad to meet you," I cringed at what I had to say to keep her happy. What was this woman doing here?

"Those are my sons," Julie turned to list their names, not that I was interested. "Mason, the oldest, Alex, and the youngest, Nate."

I nodded, Nate the only one looking up and giving a small wave. Again, I halfway smiled.

My dad walked out, setting appetizers on our coffee table. The boys immediately took some for themselves.

He walked towards us, "Having fun?"

I nodded, the memory of last time I spoke out filling my head. Julie smiled at him.

My dad's eyes turned to me, daring me to object him. Did he enjoy ruining my life? I looked at him nervously.

"Julie and her family are staying for dinner tonight, if that's okay, Rem."

"Of course."

I swallowed hard. This wasn't good. I didn't want these strangers in my house!
My dad looked at Julie, and I finally put two and two together.

Shoot, they're in love.

I felt like throwing up, but instead excused myself to go upstairs. Pulling out my phone, I checked my text messages. There were two from Miranda, and one from my sister.

Maybe they hadn't abandoned me.

I looked at Brinley's first, instantly answering my older sister:

Dead yet?

Almost, I think dad's getting re-married.

Wait, really?!

Unfortunately. She has THREE sons!!

Jeez, have fun with that.

Don't leave me here! Brinley!

I sighed, she stopped texting. I looked at Miranda's.

Because, I'm not heartless.

Also, can you get me a pizza the next time we meet?

I wasn't sure how to respond to either of the messages. Plus, we were meeting, again?! I didn't know about that.

My dad called me from downstairs, and I nervously sighed. Then again, my dad couldn't have an outburst with Julie around.

Walking downstairs, I saw Julie's family at the dinner table. There was an open seat between my dad and Mason.

The two people I hate most.

I sighed and sat down, my dad eyeing me from the side.

"Well, dig in," he smiled and waved his hand at the well-cooked steak. I didn't want to say it, but it actually looked amazing.

Everybody started to fix their plates while I waited. Dad stepped on my foot lightly. I quickly started to scoop mac n' cheese and steak onto my plate.

Nate looked at me sympathetically, noticing how little I took.

I bit my lip.

"So, how was everybody's day?" My dad started a conversation.

I started to zone out, eating slowly. After what seemed like an eternity, my dad stepped on my foot again. This time it was harder, and I winced.

"Remy? How was your day at school?" My dad asked me.

"Oh, it was the same old thing," I mutter.

"What was that?"

"It was pretty normal," I say again, louder. By now, all the boys were staring at me.

My dad got up. "Remy, could you help me grab the napkins?"

I nervously nodded, shaking as I followed my dad towards the closet in the hall. He stopped me.

"What are you doing?!" He whispered harshly. "Act polite!"

I winced again, looking at my feet. "I'm sorry, dad. It won't happen again." My dad hit me on the side of my head and I flinched, biting the inside of my lip to hold back tears.

"You're dismissed," he grunted, going to sit back down as I quickly rushed upstairs.

———————————

I think this is how long my standard chapters will be now, judging this was almost 900 words!

-pizza