Playing With Fire
Dinner with the Haners
My feet walked one in front of the other across the living room as I waited. Brian was coming to pick me up so we could go to his parents house so his parents could meet me. This is really nerve-wracking. The outfit I chose wasn't too slutty but also wasn't too conservative. Eric sat on the couch on his laptop, laughing at me.
"Ever, you've met the parents of your boyfriend before, why is this time so scary?" He chuckled.
"Because. Brian is different Eric. This time it means something to me." I explained and I rubbed my arms again. Since I was little whenever I got nervous or scared or irritated I rub my arms, once it was so bad my skin became raw, my mother slapped me for it and helped me let it heal.
"Do you love him?" Eric asked a dumbfounded look appearing on his face. I stopped and looked at Eric. I don't know, do I love Brian? We've been together for three almost four months, but I've known him for like six or seven months.
"I-I-I don't know." I stuttered and sat down.
"That's why it's different, you actually care about him and what his parents think of you." Eric laughed and walked over to me.
"Sweetie, it'll be fine, just pretend it's like the way it was before, don't care as much." He tried reassuring me but it wasn't working.
"Eric, it isn't going to work this time." I whined and stood up and began pacing again.
"Well if you are gonna pace, do it carefully because those shoes were not cheap." He said. Eric bought me these shoes when I got back from tour. Head lights shone through the window and I squealed nervously.
"Brian's here." I muttered and kept pacing. A knock sounded from the door and Eric walked over and answered.
"Dude, you need to go fix her. I think she's broken." Eric said and I heard Brian chuckled and heard foot steps. He appeared in the doorway and smirked at me.
"Stop thinking so hard Ever, my parents are going to love you." He said and walked over to me and kissed me quickly.
"I'm going to say something stupid and they are going to get the wrong impression." I stated and Brian laughed.
"No you aren't, they have to deal with me and the band and all of my friends, you'll be fine." He said and grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the house.
"I'll be back by midnight possibly one, lock the door before you go to bed Eric." I said on my way out. We got in the car and Brian started it. The ride to his parents house was quiet, except for the constant tapping of my shoes on the floor. When we got there Brian got out first while I just sat there scared shitless. Brian opened my door put his hand on my arm.
"Babe you'll be fine, don't worry, come on, they have food and I am hungry." He joked and I smiled and got out. My fingers intertwined with Brian's as we walked up to the door. He knocked and we stood there waiting in silence. The door opened shortly after and a middle aged, maybe a little older, stood there.
"Brian, it has been to long. Why didn't you call?" She gave him the 'mom' look and I snickered.
"Mom, the tour was stressful and we had a lot of shit to do." He explained and she gave him a look before wrapping her arms around him and giving him a hug.
"This must be Everleigh." She said and looked at me.
"Yes it is." Brian said. I did this really weird small wave and we walked inside.
"Don't mind the people, we were having a small get together with a few friends, they'll be leaving soon." She said and I noticed the five other people all talking.
"Brian, your son is here." Brian's mom said and a man that looked a lot like Brian walked up.
"This is my dad, Brian Sr." Brian said.
"Call me Papa Gates." Brian's dad said and held out his hand.
"I'm Ever." I said quietly.
"I thought you said she was loud and slightly obnoxious." Papa Gates said.
"She's nervous dad." Brian mumbled.
"What? Nervous. Hun, there is nothing to be nervous about, we are all a big group of goofballs." He said and I smiled. The group of people that were there had left and it was just me, Brian, Papa Gates, and Brian's mom.
"Ok, I have pork chops in the oven and they will be done momentarily. Brian, honey, can you go get McKenna please?" His mom said and Brian groaned and disappeared down the hall, leaving me alone with his parents.
"Wanna help me set the table?" Brian's mom asked. I nodded and set my purse down to go help her. She handed me a pile of five plates and a lot of silverware and I got to setting the table.
"You know, whenever Brian talks about you to either me or his father, he sounds like he really, truly cares about you." She said. I smiled and kept setting the table.
"After his divorce from Michelle, he was a mess, I am glad he found you." She said and then it looked like something clicked in her head.
"I never told you my name. I'm Suzy." She said. I smiled and stood still and awkward.
"McKenna is Brian's little sister, in case you were curious." Suzy said and I nodded.
"Alright, is the food done?" Brian asked as he half chased his sister into the room.
"Just about, sit down at the table anyways." Suzy said and she disappeared into the kitchen. We all sat down, except Suzy and I flattened my dress silently and then crossed my legs at my knees.
"Alright, here's the food." Suzy said.
"I like your dress." McKenna said as she looked at me.
"Thank you." I said and she smiled. Suzy set the food down and we all got to grabbing some. I took one pork chop, a scoop or two of potatoes, and some vegetables.
"So Ever, what do you do for a living?" Papa Gates asked.
"Um, I'm working with Michelle and Val on the House of Syn clothing line." I said and he nodded.
"Have you lived in California your whole life?" Suzy asked.
"Yep. I grew up by Sacramento though." I said and she smiled.
"At least you found another California girl." She laughed and Brian got this blush on his face that made me laugh.
"Are you working with the band as well as the clothing line?" Suzy asked. I nodded and she smiled again.
"Have you gone to college?" Papa Gates asked.
"I went to a two year college when I graduated high school and got my associates degree in Journalism." I said.
"How come you aren't doing anything with that?" He asked.
"I was planning to go and get my bachelor's degree, possibly my master's, but my dad got sick, and since my parents are divorced, he needed me to take care of him." I explained and Suzy gave me a look of sympathy.
"Is he ok now?" Suzy asked. I looked down and fought to keep from crying.
"Um, no, he died three years ago from lung cancer." I said quietly and they stayed quiet for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry about your loss. Were you two close, if you don't mind me asking." Papa Gates said.
"Kinda, we were for a few years after my parents got their divorce when I was 12, but once I turned 18 we kinda grew apart." I said and they nodded.
"Do you have siblings?" He asked.
"I have a brother and a sister, but they are estranged from me and don't like talking to me." I said.
"Why is that?" Suzy asked. I took a sip of my drink and looked at her.
"My sister went to college and got her Ph.D in Law and Law Enforcement, and my brother went to college and got his doctorate in NeuroPsychology and owns his own clinic. They feel like I'm a failure to my parents." I stated and took a bite of my food. I looked over at Brian and he seemed genuinely interested in my life. He's never asked about my past so I've never told him.
"You don't look like a failure, you are in a relationship with a very famous guitarist and you are friends with the rest of his band and now you know Brian Haner Sr. I, myself, am a famous guitarist. I think you've done way better than your siblings." Papa Gates said and I giggled.
"Thank you." I said. We all finished our food and made our way to the living room. McKenna sat right next to me and asked if she could braid my hair.
"Of course you can." I said and she ran off to grab something.
"I think Kenna likes you." Brian whispered into my ear.
"I think so too." I smiled and pecked his cheek. McKenna ran back in and curled her legs under her and I turned and face Brian. She began running her hands through my hair and brushing it.
"That looks painful." Brian commented.
"No, it's not. No, see what looks painful is playing guitar, my fingers would seriously die." I stated and looked at my fingers.
"It's actually not that bad." McKenna commented from behind me.
"You play guitar?" I asked.
"Yep, my dad and brother are both amazing guitarists, so I felt like I should." She said as she continued playing with my hair.
"Hmm. Maybe I'll have to learn." I said and Brian smirked and shook his head and looked at the TV. After a few minutes McKenna had begun braiding my hair and Brian looked kinda pissed off but bored as he looked at the TV. I grabbed my phone and took a picture of him and uploaded it to twitter and Instagram with the caption of 'Mr. Grumpy Pants. :P'.
"Did you just take a picture of me?" He asked as he turned to me.
"Maybe, whatcha gonna do about it?" I asked. He just looked at me.
"You'll see." He said mischievously and turned back to the TV. Oh shit, what is he gonna do?
"Alright, I'm done." She said. I handed her my phone to take a picture.
"That looks awesome McKenna." I said. She smiled and I got an idea.
"We should take a picture." I commented and she got wide eyes and we put our heads side my side, and I put the braid out front on my shoulder and we made a duck face and I took the picture. For the second one we both just smiled.
"These are my favorite pictures for real." I stated and she stood.
"You should give me your number." She said.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, who said I wanted you to have Ever's number?" Brian asked.
"I didn't ask." She said and stuck her tongue out at him and walked out of the room.
"Ha, she told you." I said and he flipped me off. I smirked and Papa Gates walked into the room.
"Alright, it is almost midnight kids, time for you guys to head off." He said. McKenna ran back out.
"Hold on, don't leave yet. Here, take your picture and add your number, I'll do the same with yours." She said and we swapped phones and I took a nice picture and added my number.
"Alright, now you can leave." She said as she sunk into the couch with her legs bent.
"Fine then. Let's go." Brian said and we walked out, after the long good byes from Suzy and Papa Gates and went to the car.
"I think tonight went well." Brian said. I nodded.
"Me too. I thought they would judge me more." I revealed and he laughed.
"I told you, they have to deal with the whole band and all of my friends." He said and grabbed my hand.
"Now, you took a picture of me, with out my knowledge, I get to get you back." He started.
"Ok, and?" I asked.
"I get to have my way with you and you can't do shit about it. I will have control." He smirked and I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. It only seems fair." I said. He laughed and drove off in the direction of what I think is his house. Tonight will be fun.
"Ever, you've met the parents of your boyfriend before, why is this time so scary?" He chuckled.
"Because. Brian is different Eric. This time it means something to me." I explained and I rubbed my arms again. Since I was little whenever I got nervous or scared or irritated I rub my arms, once it was so bad my skin became raw, my mother slapped me for it and helped me let it heal.
"Do you love him?" Eric asked a dumbfounded look appearing on his face. I stopped and looked at Eric. I don't know, do I love Brian? We've been together for three almost four months, but I've known him for like six or seven months.
"I-I-I don't know." I stuttered and sat down.
"That's why it's different, you actually care about him and what his parents think of you." Eric laughed and walked over to me.
"Sweetie, it'll be fine, just pretend it's like the way it was before, don't care as much." He tried reassuring me but it wasn't working.
"Eric, it isn't going to work this time." I whined and stood up and began pacing again.
"Well if you are gonna pace, do it carefully because those shoes were not cheap." He said. Eric bought me these shoes when I got back from tour. Head lights shone through the window and I squealed nervously.
"Brian's here." I muttered and kept pacing. A knock sounded from the door and Eric walked over and answered.
"Dude, you need to go fix her. I think she's broken." Eric said and I heard Brian chuckled and heard foot steps. He appeared in the doorway and smirked at me.
"Stop thinking so hard Ever, my parents are going to love you." He said and walked over to me and kissed me quickly.
"I'm going to say something stupid and they are going to get the wrong impression." I stated and Brian laughed.
"No you aren't, they have to deal with me and the band and all of my friends, you'll be fine." He said and grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the house.
"I'll be back by midnight possibly one, lock the door before you go to bed Eric." I said on my way out. We got in the car and Brian started it. The ride to his parents house was quiet, except for the constant tapping of my shoes on the floor. When we got there Brian got out first while I just sat there scared shitless. Brian opened my door put his hand on my arm.
"Babe you'll be fine, don't worry, come on, they have food and I am hungry." He joked and I smiled and got out. My fingers intertwined with Brian's as we walked up to the door. He knocked and we stood there waiting in silence. The door opened shortly after and a middle aged, maybe a little older, stood there.
"Brian, it has been to long. Why didn't you call?" She gave him the 'mom' look and I snickered.
"Mom, the tour was stressful and we had a lot of shit to do." He explained and she gave him a look before wrapping her arms around him and giving him a hug.
"This must be Everleigh." She said and looked at me.
"Yes it is." Brian said. I did this really weird small wave and we walked inside.
"Don't mind the people, we were having a small get together with a few friends, they'll be leaving soon." She said and I noticed the five other people all talking.
"Brian, your son is here." Brian's mom said and a man that looked a lot like Brian walked up.
"This is my dad, Brian Sr." Brian said.
"Call me Papa Gates." Brian's dad said and held out his hand.
"I'm Ever." I said quietly.
"I thought you said she was loud and slightly obnoxious." Papa Gates said.
"She's nervous dad." Brian mumbled.
"What? Nervous. Hun, there is nothing to be nervous about, we are all a big group of goofballs." He said and I smiled. The group of people that were there had left and it was just me, Brian, Papa Gates, and Brian's mom.
"Ok, I have pork chops in the oven and they will be done momentarily. Brian, honey, can you go get McKenna please?" His mom said and Brian groaned and disappeared down the hall, leaving me alone with his parents.
"Wanna help me set the table?" Brian's mom asked. I nodded and set my purse down to go help her. She handed me a pile of five plates and a lot of silverware and I got to setting the table.
"You know, whenever Brian talks about you to either me or his father, he sounds like he really, truly cares about you." She said. I smiled and kept setting the table.
"After his divorce from Michelle, he was a mess, I am glad he found you." She said and then it looked like something clicked in her head.
"I never told you my name. I'm Suzy." She said. I smiled and stood still and awkward.
"McKenna is Brian's little sister, in case you were curious." Suzy said and I nodded.
"Alright, is the food done?" Brian asked as he half chased his sister into the room.
"Just about, sit down at the table anyways." Suzy said and she disappeared into the kitchen. We all sat down, except Suzy and I flattened my dress silently and then crossed my legs at my knees.
"Alright, here's the food." Suzy said.
"I like your dress." McKenna said as she looked at me.
"Thank you." I said and she smiled. Suzy set the food down and we all got to grabbing some. I took one pork chop, a scoop or two of potatoes, and some vegetables.
"So Ever, what do you do for a living?" Papa Gates asked.
"Um, I'm working with Michelle and Val on the House of Syn clothing line." I said and he nodded.
"Have you lived in California your whole life?" Suzy asked.
"Yep. I grew up by Sacramento though." I said and she smiled.
"At least you found another California girl." She laughed and Brian got this blush on his face that made me laugh.
"Are you working with the band as well as the clothing line?" Suzy asked. I nodded and she smiled again.
"Have you gone to college?" Papa Gates asked.
"I went to a two year college when I graduated high school and got my associates degree in Journalism." I said.
"How come you aren't doing anything with that?" He asked.
"I was planning to go and get my bachelor's degree, possibly my master's, but my dad got sick, and since my parents are divorced, he needed me to take care of him." I explained and Suzy gave me a look of sympathy.
"Is he ok now?" Suzy asked. I looked down and fought to keep from crying.
"Um, no, he died three years ago from lung cancer." I said quietly and they stayed quiet for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry about your loss. Were you two close, if you don't mind me asking." Papa Gates said.
"Kinda, we were for a few years after my parents got their divorce when I was 12, but once I turned 18 we kinda grew apart." I said and they nodded.
"Do you have siblings?" He asked.
"I have a brother and a sister, but they are estranged from me and don't like talking to me." I said.
"Why is that?" Suzy asked. I took a sip of my drink and looked at her.
"My sister went to college and got her Ph.D in Law and Law Enforcement, and my brother went to college and got his doctorate in NeuroPsychology and owns his own clinic. They feel like I'm a failure to my parents." I stated and took a bite of my food. I looked over at Brian and he seemed genuinely interested in my life. He's never asked about my past so I've never told him.
"You don't look like a failure, you are in a relationship with a very famous guitarist and you are friends with the rest of his band and now you know Brian Haner Sr. I, myself, am a famous guitarist. I think you've done way better than your siblings." Papa Gates said and I giggled.
"Thank you." I said. We all finished our food and made our way to the living room. McKenna sat right next to me and asked if she could braid my hair.
"Of course you can." I said and she ran off to grab something.
"I think Kenna likes you." Brian whispered into my ear.
"I think so too." I smiled and pecked his cheek. McKenna ran back in and curled her legs under her and I turned and face Brian. She began running her hands through my hair and brushing it.
"That looks painful." Brian commented.
"No, it's not. No, see what looks painful is playing guitar, my fingers would seriously die." I stated and looked at my fingers.
"It's actually not that bad." McKenna commented from behind me.
"You play guitar?" I asked.
"Yep, my dad and brother are both amazing guitarists, so I felt like I should." She said as she continued playing with my hair.
"Hmm. Maybe I'll have to learn." I said and Brian smirked and shook his head and looked at the TV. After a few minutes McKenna had begun braiding my hair and Brian looked kinda pissed off but bored as he looked at the TV. I grabbed my phone and took a picture of him and uploaded it to twitter and Instagram with the caption of 'Mr. Grumpy Pants. :P'.
"Did you just take a picture of me?" He asked as he turned to me.
"Maybe, whatcha gonna do about it?" I asked. He just looked at me.
"You'll see." He said mischievously and turned back to the TV. Oh shit, what is he gonna do?
"Alright, I'm done." She said. I handed her my phone to take a picture.
"That looks awesome McKenna." I said. She smiled and I got an idea.
"We should take a picture." I commented and she got wide eyes and we put our heads side my side, and I put the braid out front on my shoulder and we made a duck face and I took the picture. For the second one we both just smiled.
"These are my favorite pictures for real." I stated and she stood.
"You should give me your number." She said.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, who said I wanted you to have Ever's number?" Brian asked.
"I didn't ask." She said and stuck her tongue out at him and walked out of the room.
"Ha, she told you." I said and he flipped me off. I smirked and Papa Gates walked into the room.
"Alright, it is almost midnight kids, time for you guys to head off." He said. McKenna ran back out.
"Hold on, don't leave yet. Here, take your picture and add your number, I'll do the same with yours." She said and we swapped phones and I took a nice picture and added my number.
"Alright, now you can leave." She said as she sunk into the couch with her legs bent.
"Fine then. Let's go." Brian said and we walked out, after the long good byes from Suzy and Papa Gates and went to the car.
"I think tonight went well." Brian said. I nodded.
"Me too. I thought they would judge me more." I revealed and he laughed.
"I told you, they have to deal with the whole band and all of my friends." He said and grabbed my hand.
"Now, you took a picture of me, with out my knowledge, I get to get you back." He started.
"Ok, and?" I asked.
"I get to have my way with you and you can't do shit about it. I will have control." He smirked and I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. It only seems fair." I said. He laughed and drove off in the direction of what I think is his house. Tonight will be fun.
Beautiful wedding can't wait to read more update as soon as u can :)
8/31/14