Maybe I Wouldn't Have

6 - Maybe She'll Punch Me

Jake

She scoffs loudly, a surprised blush spreading slowly across her face.

"You're joking," she chokes out. I continue smiling devilishly as I shake my head. "You most certainly will not! You'll start a riot in there!" she states.

"You can't stop me!" I scream before bolting to the door, and to her credit she does attempt to catch up to me but she's not fast enough and before she can reach me my hand is on the doorbell.

"Jake!" She squeaks.

The door whips open. Her brother, Xavier, blinks slowly at us both. Once. Looking over at his sister's flushed face, one of her hands looped around my upper arm, the other clutching the bottom corner of her bag. Twice. Looking at me and the mischievous grin I can't seem to wipe off my face.

"Hellooo," he drawls, his stare turning to his sister inquisitively. "I didn't realize we were having guests over today, I wouldve made an extra plate for dinner." His grin is almost as big as mine as we both watch Eve's face turn bright red.

"Don't worry, X. I'm only here for you and your mother's blessing to date your beautiful sister." Xavier's mouth drops open and, I didnt think it was possible, Eve got even more red. "Is your mother here?" He nods, stupefied.

Stepping into the doorway with Eve still clutching my upper arm, I take a moment to appreciate the utter homeliness their house exudes. Knick knacks and photos line the entryway and various pairs of shoes, jackets, and bags lay strewn about. The air smells like clean laundry, the wildflowers blooming just outside and freshly blown out candles. Somewhere in the house I could hear food sizzling and music playing. Behind me Xavier politely excuses himself and his sister, turning to the kitchen to yell to his mother while dragging Eve up the stairs.

"MOM! EVE AND I HAVE SOME HOMEWORK TO DISCUSS UPSTAIRS! OH! ALSO, JAKE WESSON WILL BE OUR GUEST TONIGHT FOR DINNER, EVE BROUGHT HIM!" He shouts.

I can see Eve scowling at me as Xavier all but pulls her arm out of her socket on the way up. I smile sweetly in response.

"Well, no time like the present," I whisper to myself just as a door upstairs slams shut. The layout of the house proves to be the same as mine so it doesn't take more than a few seconds for me to find the kitchen and just as I step through the doorway I'm hit by the mouthwatering scent of stir fry and the blaring sound of Pat Benetar's Heartbreaker. Standing at the kitchen island is an woman who looks to be in her mid-40's whom I can only assume is Eve and Xavier's mother. She beams at me as she grabs her phone to lower the volume of the speaker sitting across the kitchen and the first thing I notice is how her face almost perfectly mirrors Eve's, with the exception of a few laugh lines etched around her eyes and mouth. Other than that she looks completely different with her dirty blonde hair a fair skin.

"Hello, Jake Wesson. What brings you to our humble abode on this fine school night?" She asks with a tinge of humor lacing her motherly tone. "After school tutoring? Or could it be that you've come to whisk my daughter into an epically romantic love story for generations to remember?" I smile at that question.

Something like that, I think to myself.

"He's only joining us for dinner Mom, please don't make this weird," Eve's groans from the doorway.

"I disagree," I say. "I actually came to ask both of you if I am worthy enough to court the young lady of the house," glancing behind me, I shoot Eve another grin.

"Well it's about time someone does," Xavier says as he dodges his sister's attempts to kick his shins. He barely manages to avoid her hits before scampering over to the breakfast table nestled by the kitchen windows and sitting down with a dramatic sigh. "The way she's been going I could've sworn she'd run off to join the nuns of the convents as soon as high school ended."