*NOT EDITED*

Chapter 29

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   "Reece, this is a disaster. I don't know what I'm going to do," I said with a groan and flopped on the bed miserably.

   "Relax, it's going to be okay-"

   "No, it's not!" I exclaimed, standing up dramatically, "This is the meeting of my life. This is the official big thing. Do you know what meeting his family means? Huh? My future depends on this."

   After we ate lunch in one of the restaurants yesterday, looked at a couple other shops, and I went to the book sotre, we all decided to go on to a different destination. It was a long but fun day, and before we called it a night, Ryder invited me over his house to have lunch with his family. All three of his sisters are going to be there along with Benjamin and his parents.

   She rolled her eyes. "Is your drama going to have an intermission soon? Just chill out for two seconds so I can try to help you."

   I closed my eyes and sat back on the bed, doing my best to relax like she said.

   "You have to look pretty but not slutty. Classic but not boring. Elegant but not too strict. Here, try this on." She handed me a dress from one of her suitcases and I tried to figure it out but I'll only know when I try it on.

   I quickly shimmied out of my sweatpants and slipped off my shirt before putting on the dress. I nodded in appreciation at my reflection in the mirror. It was sleeveless, burgundy red dress that reached mid-thigh. It had an upside down triangular slit that didn't reveal too much, and the dress flowed out from the waist.

   "I think it's too short," I said, eyeing my bare long legs.

   She scrunched her eyebrows together. "Hmm . . . you're right."

   She turned back around and fished for something else for me. After a a minute or so, she handing me another blue dress. This one reached a few inches above the knee and it flowed out as well from the high waist band. The sleeves were lace and reached my elbows, and it had a wide neckline in a wide oval shape.

   "This one's way prettier than the other," I said, admiring the way it hugs my waist.

   "This one's gorgeous! Come on, let me curl your hair. We don't have much time." She pushed me into the chair and immediately set to work.

   Twenty minutes later, I was all set with my hair curled and very little makeup. I had just put blush, mascara, and lip gloss. I hung my white cross bag over my shoulder before bidding Emma good bye and rushing down the stairs.

   When Elyse saw me at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes lit up and a warm smile danced on her face. "You look jaw-dropping, Ashie-pie. Have fun."

   I hugged her and returned the smile. "Thanks, Elyse. Where's dad?"

   "He got caught up with something really important so Damon's taking you there."

    "I doubt he'll want to do that. What about Sarah?"

   "Work. It's fine, Ash. Just-"

   "What about taking a cab?"

   "No, no. he's already waiting for you outside," she said and I raised my eyebrows disbelievingly.

   I gave her one last kiss before leaving the house. True to her words, Damon was waiting outside in his own car. We will for sure end up in a painfully awkward silence throughout the whole ride. Taking a deep breath, I opened the passenger door and stepped in.

   I felt his eyes on me for a few seconds before he started driving off. I fidgeted with the necklace around my neck as the low hum of the engine hung in the thick silence.

   "I'm sorry. I really am sorry for keeping it from you, but I can't take this silence treatment anymore. You're my brother and I shouldn't have done that,"  I said after finally having enough of this.

   He was silent for a long while and I thought he hadn't heard me when-

   "I forgive you," he said, making me let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, "no more keeping secrets. We tell each other anything and everything no matter what."

   "No more keeping secrets," I agreed.

   He held out his pinky finger, but kept his eyes on the road. "Pinky promise?"

   I nodded and hooked my own pinky with his and he looked back at me with a smile. The car suddenly swerved to the right and a loud honk was heard.

   "Keep your eyes on the road!" I exclaimed and turned the steering wheel again as we both fell into laughter.

   Now that we made up, the ride felt magically shorter and we got to Ryder's house in no time. Damon already knew where his house was due to the fact that he always went over there. It was a beautiful blue Victorian three story house that seemed to fit a football field.

   The butterflies in my stomach returned again as I wiped my clammy palms on the dress.

   "You look gorgeous, and you'll do fine. Come on before you get sweat stains on your dress," he said, making us both laugh.

   "Thanks." I stepped out of the car and walked to the front porch before ringing the doorbell.

   The door opened to reveal Ryder with Benjamin standing on his right.

   "Hi," I said with a  smile.

   "Hi. You look amazing." He was about to kiss me when Benjamin cleared his throat.

   "Let's minimize the PDA, if you'd like-"

   "I don't," muttered Ryder annoyed but Benjamin ignored him.

   "I'm so happy I got to see you again, Benjamin." I laughed as they made way for me to walk in the house.

   "Likewise. Mom cooked lasagna just because you were coming. I should have invited you ages ago if that was how it is."

   "And I would have come." It seemed that all my nerves were gone now thanks to Benjamin.

   He led us into the dining room as Ryder placed a hand at the small of my back. Two girls were sitting on the couch while a third was in the kitchen with what looked like their mother.

   "Hey! You must be Ash," she exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron.

   Their mother looked nothing like any of them with blonde hair that was tied back in a delicate chignon, emerald sparkling eyes, soft delicate features, and a short petite figure. She was surely stunning but seemed so humble as she took me in for a warm hug.

   "Yup, that would be me. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Adams." I had to lean down to hug her due to the fact that she reached my chest.

   "Pleasure's all mine. Please call me Sasha. This is Charlie, the oldest of the kids," she said, pointing to the girl beside her, "and that's Jo and Sam sitting there."

   Charlie smiled at me but was scrutinizing my every move. I couldn't tell whether she approved of me or not because she hid her expression well, just drawing a small smile on her face. She shared the same brown hair that all the others had, but her eyes were the same beautiful green as her mothers. Her features were sharp, cheekbones high and thick, and she seemed to be around twenty-five. I returned her smile but warmer and more sincere before turning to the other girls.

   Jo seemed to be the spitting image of Ryder with chocolate eyes and hair and big pretty features. She also looked to be in her early twenties and she gave me a smile as she walked up to me.

   "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you." She pulled me in for a quick hug.

   "Likewise," I said, not taking the smile off my face before turning to Sam.

   She had the darkest shade of brown hair out of them all, almost black, and her pale complexion shone pretty against her dark hair. She had hazel eyes, a button nose, and seemed to be only a year older than me.

   "Hi!" she exclaimed as she suddenly pulled me in a big, tight, suffocating hug, "I'm so happy Ryder finally settled down with a girl. He used to toss 'em around like clothes when I was here last year. You must be really special and-"

   "Hey, maybe you should use a glue stick instead of chapstick next time," Ryder interrupted her.

   She glared at him. "I was just trying to be welcoming."

   "She looks like she's going to run away!" he said, gesturing to me.

   "I think I'm doing just fine, actually. I really appreciate your kindness, Sam," I said sincerely and she smiled back satisfied.

   "Okay, it's time for dinner. Someone call your dad," Sasha called from the kitchen.

   "I'll do it!" Benjamin said eagerly before quickly rushing upstairs. I don't blame the kid.

   Sasha started bringing out all the food from the kitchen to the dining table and I offered to help. She accepted gratefully and I followed her into the kitchen. The food smelled mouthwatering and I even caught sight of my favorite—mashed potatoes.

   After the table was set, a handsome man with striking features and brown hair that seemed to be in his late forties walked in—the father of the Adams' family. Once he caught sight of me, he shook my hand with a smile.

   "Hello, I'm glad we finally met," he said.

   "Likewise." I returned the smile. I think if I smiled once more, my face might just break in half.

   We all took our seats around the table, mine in front of Charlie and between Ryder and Jo.

   "So, Ash. How long have you been dating Ryder?" asked Charlie.

   "Not long. A month, month and a half?" I looked to Ryder and he nodded.

   "And are you guys serious about this whole relationship thing?" she asked.

   I furrowed my eyebrows. "Yes, very."

   "That's great," Sasha said enthusiastically. She seemed to share a look with Charlie, having a silent conversation.

   "And how are your grades?" Charlie asked.

   I think Ryder was started to get annoyed from the interrogation, judging by the fact that he put down his fork and knife. "Charlie, I think-"

   "I take my grades very seriously, and I think it's safe to say that I'm one of the tops in my grade." I put my hand on Ryder, letting him know that it was fine. I was handling it well.

   "That's good to know. I'm glad you're not like the other slutty airheads that Ryder dated who had lower IQ's than their dignity. Now we can minus airhead from the equation. I'm not so sure about eveyrthing else, though . . ."

   A silence heavily fell on the whole table as my knife dropped to the ground.

   She just called me a slut.

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Author's Note:

Hey, guys! So, what about that, eh? I love having dramatic chapter ends lmao. I guess she wasn't handling it so well after all.

What did you think of the chapter? The sisters? And Benjamin is back, yay! I love him so much lol.

Don't forget to VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW & SHARE!

Much love,

MD ❤️