We've Only Just Begun

Part 46 - Awkward

I woke up a few hours later to a knock on the door. 

"Yeah." I yelled tiredly. 

Steph opened the door and peeked in. "You decent?" I threw my head back into the pillow.

"Totally." I mumbled sarcastically. 

"Sorry didn't mean to wake you up." She said. Nathan was stirring at this point. "Max's mom is here as well... just thought I'd let you know." 

"Okay, be down in a minute." I said. She closed the door. I turned and looked at Nathan who was drawing circles on my back. 

"I forgot she told Max that she'd be back at the end of the month with her mum." Nathan told me. I sighed and sat up. 

Ten minutes later I walked downstairs fully dressed with a bit of makeup on. Nathan behind me. I walked into the living room to find Max, Charlotte, and a very pretty, not to mention extremely young looking woman sitting down inbetween them on the couch. She did not look like she was a mother of a grown man in his 20s. I smiled and walked over to her. 

"Hi how are you? I'm Abbey." I extended my hand and she shook it, smiling back at me.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Barbara. You're Nathan's girl, right?" She asked in the almost exact same accent as Max. I saw Charlotte fidget in the corner of my eye. I smiled and nodded. 

"That's right." I replied. "Also the boys' day to day manager. Charlotte," I looked over to her trying to seem enthusiastic, "how are you?" I fake smiled. 

She fake smiled back. "Good." I nodded my head and looked at Max who wasn't paying much attention, he was watching whatever was on TV, but I knew that he was just trying to stay out of the awkwardness.

"Heard you just got the okay to move back to the UK with the lads. Congratulations." Barbara said to me. I smiled, she was sweet. 

"Thank you! I'm really excited." I replied.

I walked over to the kitchen as Nathan made his pleasantries. He hugged Max's mom happily, and then awkwardly patted Charlotte on the shoulder before hurrying to the kitchen with me. He started making some tea. 

"Does anyone want a cuppa tea?" He shouted toward the others. I stood with my back to the counter, my arms folded, looking into the living room. 

"I'm okay, thank you." Barbara replied. 

"I'd love some." Charlotte said after her. I turned around and rolled my eyes. 

"Max?" Nathan asked. 

"No, I'm good, mate." He said, still pretending to watch the TV. I looked at Nathan.

"Could you make me some, babe?" I said, obviously loud enough for everyone else to hear, even though Nath was literally right next to me. He smiled, knowing exactly what I was doing. 

"Sure, love." He replied, then he reached over and kissed me. I smiled at him, and then turned back around to see Charlotte staring right at us. She looked away quickly. I smirked. 

Nathan made us our tea, and then we went back into the living room. "Wonder where everyone is?" I asked. 

"I know Jay and Steph are here..." Max replied. "And Ollie, Maria, and Becca are all out having a girl's day. Don't know where Seev or Tom are though, probably went to the pub." I looked at the clock: 12:03. I laughed and shook my head, of course they were at the pub. I manage a load of alcoholics. I thought to myself. Then I looked down at my tea, kind of frustrated with the fact that neither the girls nor Tom and Seev invited everyone else to go out with them. Not because I was jealous or wanted to be included, but so I wouldn't have to endure sitting here in this awkwardness. Nathan got up and ran upstairs, so I took out my phone to avoid talking.