I finish putting the beers in the ice bucket and spread the crackers around the cheese ball in the shape of a football. The rest of the food is already plated and ready to be served. I spent most of the afternoon cooking for tonight. I made wings, queso dip, meatballs, and a bunch of different types of salad dishes. It’s the cinnamon-roasted almonds that are making the whole house smell amazing though. Reed walks out of his room and sees me in the kitchen.
“Smells good. What did you mak-.” He stops mid-word when he sees the spread I set out. “What the fuck?”
I smile. “Uhm...is there a problem?”
He cocks an eyebrow at me. “When you said you wanted to help with the food, I thought you meant you’d order some pizzas or something.”
I shrug. “I like to cook.”
He looks down at everything again. “Jesus. Did you always put this much effort in for game nights?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’d know if you ever showed up for one.”
“Why would I do that?” he asks coldly.
I shrink into myself. “Because we’re friends.”
“I’m not your friend,” he clips.
Before I have the chance to respond, the doorbell rings. He walks over and opens the door to a couple of guys. They are all talking when they walk into the kitchen area. I put on my best smile since I’m not rude unlike some members of this household.
“Hi, I’m Wren,” I say to the two guys.
One of them reaches his hand out to shake mine. “Jason,” he says.
Then the other. “Kenny.”
Reed jumps in. “Wren is my roommate.”
I open my eyes wide. “Your roommate?” I ask. “Really?”
The guys both laugh, and Jason shoves Reed’s shoulder. “Bro, you can’t call the girl you’re fucking a roommate.”
I open my eyes even wider. “Oh, God no! Reed is my brother-in-law.”
“Ex-brother-in-law,” Reed says through a clenched jaw.
“Widowed-brother-in-law,” I snap right back.
The room is suddenly quiet as the guys shift their weight uncomfortably. I realize I may have taken it too far. I want to be a good host, so I turn to them and smile to reassure them I’m okay even though I’m not at all.
Jason gives me a half smile. “You’re Jake’s girl?”
My smile drops. I don’t want to be titled that, so I just nod my head and grab a couple beers. “Here, the food is all ready, so dig in whenever.”
The guys all start grabbing some food, and I pop the cap off my own bottle and take a sip. About ten minutes later, another of Reed’s friends and his girlfriend show up. It doesn’t take long for me to relax and get to know the new people. I’ve been so lonely lately that I’ll take any friends I can get even if they aren’t really my friends.
Jason has been surprisingly flirty. It seems a little strange since he obviously knew Jake. He doesn’t seem to care that he only passed away a little while ago. He could just be acting friendly. It’s been long enough since I’ve dated anyone to really know the difference I guess, but the way his hands always seem to be touching me and the jokes that are not exactly kid friendly, it makes me think he is.
He leans back and places his arm on the couch behind me. “So Wren, are you as talented in any other rooms in the house as you are in the kitchen?”
My eyes shoot wide open. No, that was definitely not just being friendly. Reed stands from the chair next to us. “Wren, we need more beer from the garage,” he says, sounding angry.
Jason stands as well. “Oh, don’t worry, we’ll grab it. Relax, Reed.”
I stand and can’t help but smirk back at Reed. “Yeah, Reed, don’t worry. We got it.”
We walk over to the garage and the door swings shut. Jason follows me over to the side where a few more cases of beer sit. He laughs. “I never knew Reed was the protective older brother type since he only ever had Jake as a sibling.”
I smile back at him. “Hm?”
“You didn’t notice?” he asks. “He’s pissed as fuck at me.”
I laugh. “For what exactly?”
He smirks back. “Wow. I really need to step up my game if it isn’t already obvious.”
I laugh. “You’re awfully bold. I was clear when I told you my husband died recently, right?”
He gives a half smile. “I’m a dick, huh?”
I smile back, but then he sighs and continues. “Also, I know about you and Jake separating.”
I lean my head back. “Excuse me?”
He cringes. “I know everything actually.”
I look at him confused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”