Out of My League

Chapter 28 (Noah)

I think, in the past few years, I'd blocked out the annual Parker family Christmas Eve dinner from my head. 

If I didn't remember it, it would be like it wasn't happening, like I wasn't a missing piece of it. 

As it is, this year, I don't get to skip, I don't have to skip. 

I'm excited. 

"It's about time you show up," Asher taunts me as he throws the front door open, "If mom makes us sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas one more time, I'm getting in your car and leaving." 

"Good luck getting anywhere on a quarter tank of gas," I pat him on the shoulder as I nudge my way through the frame and hang my coat on the rack, "Unless you're going to fill her up and then, by all means, take my car." 

"I wouldn't give it back, idiot," he playfully rolls his eyes, "If I take it, I'm gone." 

I poke my bottom lip out in a mock pout, "The night before Christmas? Then who would get the gifts that Santa's going to bring you?" 

"You, I guess," he jabs me in the shoulder with his fist, "Then again, you might be a few sizes smaller." 

I roll my eyes with a laugh, turning towards the kitchen where, as soon as mom sees me, she bursts into applause, rushing to hug me so quickly, I nearly drop the store-bought cake I'd picked up on the way here. 

As if realizing that, dad takes it from my hands with a wink and a small smile, hugging me the moment mom lets go. 

"Yeah, yeah, the person of honor is here," Asher walks into the kitchen with a smug smile, "Can we eat now?" 

"Oh, Asher," mom swats at him with a stern look on her face, "We can talk for a little bit. I feel like we haven't seen Noah in forever." 

"Mom, I was here last week." 

"I know," she smiles, "We have a lot of catching up to do." 

To prove a point to my brother, though, I ask, "Actually, I'm starving. Any chance we can have dinner now and catch up while we eat?" 

"Of course," mom smiles, turning her back to grab a plate for me and, in the process, I shoot Asher an arrogant wink. 

He rolls his eyes, turning to the silverware. 

After mom has handed me my plate and turned to grab her own, I step up next to my brother. 

"I'm sorry," I say. 

"For what?" 

"I know you were the favorite while I was gone, but now that I'm back .." 

I trail off, but he understands what I mean, giving me a small shove backwards and laughing, "Shut up, old man. I'm still the favorite." 

*** 

I barely hear a word of conversation between my family at dinner. 

Knee bouncing beneath the table and butterflies fluttering in my stomach, all I can think about is how I'm going to break the news to them about my plan to propose to Izzy. 

I want them to know, want them to be happy for me. 

I also don't want them to scold me for moving too fast. 

Will they be understanding? 

I don't know how to get the conversation started, so I listen numbly as Asher talks about how his professor at college had made a project due the day after Christmas and how there's a cute girl in his chemistry class that he wants to talk to, but is scared.