REMEMBER // Calum Hood

Forty // family lunch

"What's your brother's girlfriend's name again?" Cal asks me once we park in front of my parents house

He's been doing this the entire morning. While he showered, while he spent half an hour picking what T-shirt to wear, while we drove to my campus' apartment so I could get properly ready, while we took the 40 minute ride to my childhood home. Calum asked about my dad's hobbies, my brother's relationship, my mother's job, their names, their ages, their musical prefference. And I laughed because it's cute how he considered their taste in music an important question.

"Do you want to know if my family listens to your band?" I teased him but he only gave me a roll of eyes

"Yes, I will take this opportunity to try and sell our last album" Calum ironically replied which made me laugh

"Very smart" I praised "Mom listens to everything nowadays cause its a part of her job. My dad is a big jazz fan and Aaron... He has very similar taste to you"

"Big N'Sync fan then" Calum joked as we drove off campus

He can try and pretend he's all cool and chilled about it but I can tell he's a bit nervous. And it's the cuttest thing ever.

"Tara" I say "And they've been together for 6 years now"

"Isn't your brother going to propose to her?" Calum questions "6 years is a lot of time"

"I think so" I nod "They're living together and all"

We jump off the car and follow the rock path that leads to my parents front porch. Before we can even ring the doorbell or knock, the door is pulled open by my dad, that was probably sitting by the window waiting for us. Of course.

"Hey sweetie" He greets me

"Dad! Hi" I give him a big hug before introducing Cal "This is Calum. Calum, dad"

I take a step back to let them shake hands but my dad is quick to pull Calum in for a hug.

"Of course, of course" He says "I was excited to meet you, kiddo. Please, call me Ron"

His words make me relax a bit. Knowing that dad is excited to meet Calum shows that he's not that mad at me.

"It's very nice to meet you, sir. Thanks for having me in your house"

"Come on in, lunch is almost ready" Dad welcomes us in

I lead the way inside my parents house. Apparently, Aaron and Tara are not here yet because the only person we find in the kitchen is my mom.

"Hey mom" I announce our arrival

She turns to us with a polite smile that doesn't fool me for a second. It's not going to be as easy with mom as it was with my dad. But I can't say I am surprised, it has always been like this.

"Hello you two" She walks over to us "Calum, I'm so glad you could join us"

"Thanks for the invite, Ellen" He replies as they hug "Whatever you're cooking in there, it smells delicious"

Such an ass kisser, I think as I throw him a teasing look. I grab the two packs of beer Calum has insisted to bring and put it in the fridge.

"Oh imagine, dear. It's just a little something" Mom blushes a bit "Go sit by the table, we're just waiting for Aaron and Tara so we can start eating"

As if on cue, the door bursts open and the cheerful voices of my brother and his girlfriend fill the house.

"Are you ready? Cause tonight is game night" I hear my brother say to my dad "Who's car is that in the driveway?"