Chapter 77 Barbecue
Helen glanced between Brad and me, then smiled and grabbed a plate of shrimp from the fridge to rinse.
Brad was quick, and soon everything was ready. The four of us sat down to eat.
Just as we were enjoying our meal, Daniel knocked on the door. I went to answer it.
Our house had an open-plan living room and kitchen, with the dining area visible from the front door.
I opened the door to find Daniel with Zoe clinging to his arm, eyeing our dining area hungrily.
"What's up?" I asked, annoyed.
"Jane, I'm here to get Brad. Dinner's ready at home. Why hasn't he come back yet?" Daniel replied.
'Seriously? You can see for yourself. Either you're blind, or you're just not thinking,' I thought.
Daniel didn't wait for my response and tried to push in, but I blocked him, refusing to let him in.
I had been looking forward to this barbecue, and their arrival would ruin the vibe and my mood.
"Jane, what are you doing? We're just here to get Brad. Emma made dinner and even included a portion for you. If you don't want to come, fine, but you shouldn't stop us from getting Brad. That's not right," Zoe said sarcastically.
They wanted to mooch off our food but didn't have the guts to admit it, and then they blamed me? Too much!
Daniel didn't even try to stop Zoe and instead led the charge into my house. I couldn't believe he didn't get Zoe's intentions.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Not a single decent person among them.
'You want to mooch off our food? Not a chance. This is my house, and you're not coming in,' I thought.
"Brad, your brother and his girlfriend are here to take you home for dinner," I shouted towards the dining area, standing firmly by the door.
Brad had heard them long ago; he was just pretending not to.
Now that I called him out, he wiped his lips with a napkin and walked over slowly, stopping half a step behind me. He sounded a bit impatient, "I already told Mom and Dad that I'm eating here. You can go back. Don't come over unless it's important, and even then, just call. I'll go home when I need to. I won't get lost and don't need anyone to come get me."
With that, Brad shut the door, leaving Zoe and Daniel outside. Brad and I shared a knowing smile.
Ronan had drunk quite a bit and was tipsy. My mom helped him back to his room, leaving me to clean up the kitchen.
Looking at the mess, I felt overwhelmed. I tried to muster the courage several times but still didn't know where to start.
In the end, Brad came to the rescue, showing me step by step and helping me solve the problem.
Looking at the now-clean kitchen, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Brad, you're so great. I wonder which lucky girl will get to have you by her side for life. I'm so envious."
I shook my head in mock regret, clicking my tongue in praise.
Brad smacked the back of my head. "Speak properly. So, who do you want to marry?"
"What?" I didn't understand.
"Nothing. After helping you with such a big problem, how do you plan to thank me?" he asked.
I thought for a moment. "I can't repay you, but I can invite you to sit in my room. But the door has to stay open."
"Why open? Can't we close it?" Brad leaned against the counter, teasing me.
"Men and women shouldn't be too close. If we close the door, it might affect your reputation. Keeping it open ensures your good name and lets in fresh air. It's perfect."
Brad chuckled, turning his face away as his shoulders shook with laughter. Then he turned back, gently pushing my head. "Alright, let's go sit in your room."
Since becoming an adult, I hadn't seen Brad much, and he rarely came to my room.
"Not much has changed. I didn't expect you to be so sentimental, Jane," Brad said.
Brad sat by my study desk, casually picking up a half-open book to read.
"Of course, I..." Before I could finish, my phone rang.
Louis was calling via video.
I looked at Brad, unsure whether to answer.
Brad's expression darkened, and he signaled with his eyes. "Be polite, answer it."
I swiped to answer, and Louis's face and surroundings came into view.
Judging by the decor and environment, he seemed to be at some upscale restaurant. Young men and women were walking around, and a figure in a red dress sitting on the sofa looked a lot like my roommate Mindy.
"Jane, are you tired? Have you eaten?" He pinched his brow, looking a bit weary. Even his eyes lacked their usual warmth and sweetness.
"I've eaten. How about you? Do you have a headache?" As I asked, Brad's face grew even darker.
"A little, but it's nothing. Don't worry. By the way, how are your parents? Don't forget to send them my regards," Louis said.
"I will," I replied.
Several people on his end were calling him over. He gave me an apologetic smile. "I hate socializing, but I can't avoid it."
I smiled. "Go ahead. Take care of yourself. I'll hang up now."
"Jane," he called, his eyes filled with deep affection, "Come back soon. I miss you so much."
My face turned bright red.
Being confessed to in front of Brad, how embarrassing.
I quickly hung up, and Brad's face was as dark as it could get.
"Do you like him?" Brad asked in a deep voice.
I thought seriously and then said, "I'm working on it."
"Why him? Just because of those eleven love letters?" Brad asked.
There were indeed eleven letters. I only opened one and read two lines before Brad destroyed them for me. As for the contents, I really didn't know.
'So, Brad read all those letters? Didn't he say he was helping me throw them away? How did he end up reading them? No wonder he and Daniel brothers—one hides my letters, and the other reads them!' I thought.
I wanted to argue with Brad, to ask why he read my letters when I couldn't. It was so unfair!
But just as I was about to speak, Brad gave me a cold look, and I immediately lost my nerve, turning my head away and mumbling, "It's not just that. My two college roommates have long moved in with their boyfriends, but I haven't even held a guy's hand. They tease me about it every time we video chat. Plus, I'm not getting any younger. Helen also said it's time for me to date. He grew up with me, knows me well, and has liked me for many years. I want to give it a try. If it works out, great. If not, we should break up sooner rather than later."
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