The Pack

Ch. 4

Dana didn't know how to feel. She was nervous, uncomfortable, excited, skeptical all at the same time. Bryce really had invited her to his house for a backyard barbecue and now she was standing outside of his house hesitating to knock on the door. Her subconscious told her it would be fun and a great chance to get to know his family but the forefront of her mind wondered why it mattered so much to her. She didn't want to believe that the guy she's seatmates with would invite her to an intimate family gathering. Was it all a set up? A prank? But he and his family seem so nice. She's only been in town a few months so maybe it was all an act until now. Maybe this is the start of a true crime investigation where she'll be the headline. There's no one for miles and her only lifeline is her phone.

With all of her thoughts racing in her mind, Dana didn't notice the door handle wiggle. Bryce had sensed her arrival and had gone to greet her. Once the door began to open Dana quickly shot out of her thoughts. "Hey." Bryce greeted with a smile that made Dana feel more at ease. For some odd reason she trusted this guy she just met despite all of her obsessive thoughts. 

"Hi." She replied, smiling back. She noticed that he was dressed more relaxed than how she usually saw him. He wasn't wearing jeans with a studded belt and a leather jacket, just a sleeveless band tee and gray sweatpants. 

"You okay?" He asked, picking up on her nerves. 

"Yeah. Sorry I just feel a bit over dressed." She admitted. She had opted for a dark green dress with small pink flowers and her patchy jean jacket with a pair of pink tights. 

"You look great." He commented to reassure her but he also really meant it. She appreciated his comment and blush rushed to her face that would be hard to see but he could. His smile grew a little wider to see. "You wanna come inside?" He asked. 

"Yeah, thanks." She nodded and stepped in. It felt different seeing the house in the daytime and without a crowd of students. The decoration style was a lot like her house: rustic modern. The great room was very big with a lot of space between the living room on the left and the kitchen across the room on the right. Next to the entrance on the right was the open dining room. It was a large dark wooden table able to fit their large family. It was definitely lived in. Marks on the walls from kids drawing, an old high chair in the corner by the dining room table, random scratches all over the place (she assumed they were from moving furniture). But Dana noticed it was also quiet inside. She expecting it to be more rowdy. 

"Everyone's outside." Bryce spoke up as if he had known what she was thinking. Dana looked across the room at the large wall of windows leading to the back patio. There she saw the rest of the family hanging out. Willow and her mom were sat at the table under the patio, their dad was cooking on the grill, and Caelum was running around playing with his two younger siblings. "Let's go." Bryce said and they walked out. The sound of the door opening drew the attention of Willow and Caroline. 

"Well, hello, welcome!" Caroline greeted with a smile. 

"Hi." Dana gave a shy response and a quick wave. She and Bryce joined them at the table. 

"It is so nice to officially meet you. Bryce reminded me that we have met once while waiting for pick up. I am sorry again about my rough-housing kids." Caroline continued. 

"It's okay, they're just kids, I get it." Dana replied.

With introductions out of the way everyone was free to do as they wished until the food was ready. Dana decided to stay with the girls and talk and Bryce chose to stay next to her. The smell of everything was making Dana's mouth water and her stomach started to rumble. She didn't really notice it but everyone else at the table heard. "Oh, where are my manners, I'm so sorry." Caroline spoke up again. "If you're hungry while we're waiting there's a table over there we set up with all the sides and snacks. Feel free to get whatever you'd like." She offered and motioned over to the table across the patio full of food.