Reunion

Chapter Nine

After explaining to my best friend what happened between Jessica and me, we both sat in the chairs of the dining table, while we waited for the boys to come back. I was both embarrassed and relieved. I was embarrassed, because I felt like it was somehow my fault that he had to kick her out of Matt's place. I was relieved that he at least heard what she said to me and agreed that she was being rude, even though I was only being nice to the girl.

I still couldn't believe that everything happened within minutes of his arrival.

Brian and Matt walked back to the kitchen. They were talking. Brian looked like he had a mixture of anger and disappointment in his facial expression, while Matt was talking to him.

"Is everything alright?" Anna asked, looking at them. Matt nodded his head. Brian walked over to me.

"Lilian, I am deeply sorry about Jessica. She was being rude, and she had no right to say those things to you. I heard everything. I know you were just trying to be nice," he explained, looking at me.

"You don't have to be sorry. I am sorry that all this happened," I said, apologizing. Brian shook his head. "None of this was your fault, so don't be sorry," he replied.

"How about we go eat, I left the grill with your dad, knowing that something wrong was going on," Matt said. Brian nodded with a half-smile and Anna walked behind Matt.

"Come on, let's enjoy the rest of the day," Brian stated, extending his arms, showing the way, so I could walk first. I thanked him with a nod and smiled as I walked outside to the back yard.

Even though I still felt a bit bad about the situation, I tried to enjoy my time at Matt's BBQ. I met with his other friends who were also Brian and Matt's bandmates. They were fun to be around. I met other people as well.

One person who made me laugh the entire time was Brian's father. He kept on telling somewhat embarrassing things about his son, and he made everyone laugh and have a good time. I noticed Brian roll his eyes from time to time, but other times he was just laughing with him about his own embarrassing stories. Brian's stepmother was overly sweet. She spoke very proudly about her family.

I checked the time on my cellphone and saw that I still had a couple of hours to kill, before driving back to Los Angeles.

"So, Lilian, do you live here in Huntington?" Brian Sr. asked, looking at me. I shook my head with a smile.

"No, I am from here, but I moved to Los Angeles a few years ago. My mother still lives here, so I come from time to time," I explain, holding a glass of wine. Anna and Matt were in deep conversation. I was in a small circle group with Brian's family, and he was back in the kitchen getting another round of beers for everyone. The rest of the guys were at the pool with their dates or wives.

"That's not too far," Brian's father replied, taking a sip of the beer can he had in hand. Brian walked towards us, giving the drinks to everyone who asked for one. When he was done, he stood next to his father.

"No, it depends on traffic, but it is like forty-five minutes away," I stated.

"So, what do you do in Los Angeles?" he asked.

Brian looked at his father with a raised eyebrow before he spoke.

"Dad are you playing twenty questions or something?" he questioned his father. I giggled a bit, lowering my head.

"What? I'm just trying to get to know her, son," he responded, looking back at his son. Brian rolled his eyes at him and looked at me. He mouthed me a "sorry". I shook my head and with my facial expression and a hand gesture I responded that it was fine.

"I'm a chef. I work in the LA Country Club," I said, smiling.

"Wow! I have a subscription there. I might have to go by with the family and check you out," he said, making Brian spill a bit of his beer from his mouth.

"Dad!" he shouted. I noticed that his face showed a bit of embarrassment.

"What? I was talking about her food, you have a dirty mind, Junior."

By that time, I was laughing, uncontrollably. Brian walked towards Anna and Matt.

"Brian, I am going to the ladies with McKenna," his wife said, smiling. He nodded his head and she walked to the inside of the house with her daughter.

"You two having the same name, does that get confusing?" I asked.

"You'd be surprised. My son often finds it easier to pretend that he is not related to me. Right Junior?" he said, shouting the last statement as he looked at where Brian was standing. I turned around and saw that he raised his hand.

"Not talking to you," he replied, shouting, and looking a bit childish which was hilarious to watch.

"Listen, do you do private caterings?" Brian Sr. asked, laughing at his son's reaction.

"I do."

"My anniversary is in two weeks and the person my wife hired to do the cooking canceled on her. Now, she is trying to get someone to do it, but she is a bit stubborn about it. She can't hire someone, until she tries their food first," he explained. I nodded my head understanding.

"Well, if she wants, I can manage to arrange a cooking interview, and that way she is able to judge for herself," I replied.

"That's perfect. Let me have your number and after I speak to her, I'll give you a call and arrange that meeting," he said, taking out his cellphone. I gave him the number and he saved it on his phone.

****

It was almost five in the evening, and people were leaving one by one. A few of Matt's friends stayed, including Johnny, his wife Lacey, Brian, Anna, and me. I was grabbing the cans that were left around the table. Putting them on a bag of trash, I was helping clean up. Anna and Lacey were taking the things that belonged to the kitchen back inside while Matt cleaned the grill.

Johnny and Brian were taking the trash bags outside. After the back yard was clean, Anna and Lacey walked over to where I was standing.

"I better go. I have work tomorrow and it's going to be one of those busy days," I said, grabbing my purse from the top of the small table.

"Alright, I'll call you tomorrow," Anna said. We hugged each other.

"It was nice to meet you, Lacey," I said to Johnny's wife. She smiled and gave me a little hug too. "Likewise, I hope we can see each other again."

I walked over to the guys. I thanked Matt for the invitation. I told Johnny that it was a pleasure to meet him. He left with Lacey not long after. After I said bye to Matt, he walked over to Anna. I smiled when I saw that he gave her a hug that lasted for what looked like hours.

"Brian, I am really sorry about what happened with Jessica, but thank you for sticking up for me earlier. It really means a lot," I said, looking at him.

"Don't worry. You don't have to be sorry. It wasn't your fault and I had to do it, because it was the right thing to do," he replied, smiling.

I couldn't deny the small hint of blush I felt in my cheeks. He was a gentleman, and I was glad that I got to see him again.

"I'm very sorry about my father though," he added.

"I had fun. You should be proud of him."

"I am...sometimes," he said, laughing. I giggled and lowered my head. I looked at him again and smiled. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Lilian," he said, stepping closer and kissing my cheek. I blushed even more. I walked away and went outside. After I got inside my car, I drove home back to Los Angeles. The whole ride home all I thought was about Brian, especially that lingering kiss he left in my cheek. I guess feeling like a schoolgirl again wasn't bad at times.