Begin Again

chapter twelve

THE UBER RIDE into Queens is filled with immense uncomfortable silence. I'm squashed in the backseat with my brother and mom occupying the middle seat. They'd arrived at my apartment early, and as soon as they had both walked through the threshold, I could immediately sense the tension between them.

Luke's jaw was clenched tight as he stomped in while my mother looked pissed. I assumed the train ride from Jersey hadn't been as enjoyable for either of them.

I have a sneaking suspicion the obvious simmer between them has to do with Mom's new relationship. I haven't gotten a chance to speak to her about it, but anytime I ask Luke about it on the phone, he clams up, refusing to tell me anything.

Though, I have a feeling Luke isn't just angry at Mom. When I'd gone to pull him in for a hug, his body was stiff, as if he would instead do anything else than be touched by me. I have no idea what his problem is, and I hope it won't bleed into the dinner we are about to have with Miles' family.

The Uber driver stops in front of a house that looks pretty similar to my own, though the outside is much smaller, dwarfed by the conjoining houses next. I suddenly feel the nerves bubbling in my stomach. I'm not only about to meet Miles' entire family, but he's also about to meet mine.

"I hope they season their food," Luke grumbles, stepping out of the car first and grabbing his duffle.

"You better curb that attitude, mister," my mother scolds, practically pushing me out of the car so she can glare at my brother.

"Can you both try and be civil," I say haughtily, hiking my duffle on my shoulder. They both turn to glare at me. "I'm serious. I don't know what's going on–"

"Evie, I'm not in the mood for one of your lectures, alright?" Luke snaps. I step closer to him, my eyes narrow, and my finger gets dangerously close to his face. Before I can rip him a new one, the front door opens, and an older lady's face comes into view. Her brown hair is piled into a bun on her head, and a familiar shade of green eyes is watching us with amusement. I already know who she is before she can even introduce herself.

I drop my finger, feeling shy under Miles' mother's gaze. She doesn't look perturbed; she's smiling as if she didn't just walk out to me, almost pummeling my brother's face.

"You must be Evie," she greets, and I nod, already walking towards her. As I move to extend my hand, I hear a light scoff leave her lips before she pulls me into a hug. I'm stunned but quickly lift my arms to return the gesture. She's tiny, though her hug still manages to provide a level of comfort that I'm convinced only mothers can have.

"I'm Candace," she pulls away, her green eyes examining my features. "Miles has told me so much about you." I smile at that, already knowing he'd be as red as a tomato if he heard his mother exposing him like that. I step aside, allowing my brother and mom to step inside the house.

"I'm Raina," my mother introduces herself politely. "You have a beautiful home; thank you for inviting us." Candace waves my mother's gratitude away, pulling her in for a hug as well.

"This is my son, Luke." Thankfully, he's managed to discard the scowl etched on his face the entire time, replacing it with a rather convincing smile.

"Mom, where'd you put the–" I look away from Luke and Candace embracing to see a younger version of Miles. They share the same tousled brown hair and striking green eyes as their mother. The only stark difference is that his little sister doesn't match his height. Her being a few inches shorter than me, at most.

Upon seeing me, her face morphs into a grin.

"Evie, right?" I nod, and the grin on her face grows as if she's harboring a secret.