Damn The Day I Met You

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Zach and I enter the country club where the party was being held. We showed up early to see them before it became crowded, but even early in this case was late. I look around the room for my family when suddenly something slips down my back.

The instant the coldness of the ice cube soaks through I start to hop around, hoping that would make it fall out quicker. I turn with a glare at my brother and let go of Zach’s hand. Max grins and then makes a run for it, “you better run Maxwell!” I scream, chasing after him in my heels. It’s amazing how well trained someone can get of running in heels when having a younger brother. After about two minutes of chasing him around the house I finally catch his collar.

“Katie Juliette! What in the world are you doing?!” I hear my father’s voice roar above the noise.

I smile at my parents who were quickly approaching, “just showing Max here some sisterly love.” I say, knowing that they knew the truth. My parents didn’t actually care all that much if Max and I caused trouble. But if my grandmother was around they’d put up an act. She’d freak out on them more than us if they didn’t at least pretend to punish us. “Besides, he put ice down my dress.”

My mother slaps Max’s arm, “Max behave. That’s stands for all of you,” she says, giving my brother, father, and I all a short glare, “this is your father’s birthday. We can celebrate our way tomorrow.”

A pair of arms wraps themselves around my waist, pulling me close. I turn and kiss Zach’s cheek, “you, mister, are a terrible, terrible boyfriend. I know you saw Max coming.”

Zach just smirks and ignores my accusations, “Adam, Julie, nice to see you two again.”

“Always a please, Zach.” My mom replies, pulling him in for a hug. This was definitely something she shouldn’t have done at an event such as this, but my mom was never one to follow all the rules. “How’s Italy treating you?”

“It’s, um, okay. But it’ll be good to be home in six months.” He glances down at me for a moment, silently telling me not to mention anything that had happened.

“He’s hanging in there. This doofus didn’t study the language, but luckily he made a friend in his major that speaks perfect English.”

“Is he here tonight?” my dad asks, glancing around.

“she is right here,” I hear Ana’s voice from behind me and turn around to spot her in the gorgeous dress I gave her a couple weeks ago. “Anastasia De Luca.” She holds out her hand which I couldn’t help but think of what my grandmother would do at that. The host is always supposed to initiate the shake. Luckily thought my dad was someone who could care less.

“Adam DiGerlando.” He shakes her hand and then turns to introduce the rest of the family, “This is my wife Julianne, and, well we think aliens might have given him to us, but technically he’s our son Max.”

“Hey! I’m right here!” Max exclaims in pure shock.

My dad just laughs, “I know. And until the day you admit you’re an alien we’re still going to wonder.”

Ana and Zach start to discuss the latest and greatest in sports while Max runs off to see his friends and my dad gets called over by someone. That leaves my mom and me standing there in silence. She glances over at my boyfriend and the new girl, raising her eyebrows. I just shrug and guide her out to the balcony so that we could talk.

“His tutor seems nice.” My mom mentions, looking out over the yard.

I smile, “she’s great. Plays practically every sport, is an architecture major with a focus on ancient architecture. She speaks English and she and Zach seem to be fantastic together. It works out well since I can’t help translate everything for him well he’s in his classes and I’m in mine.”