Page 133 of Seasons of Love
“If this is your sister’s place, and she likes peonies, then yes, I’m more than ready.”
Ellis laughs.
“Well, I’m only here for the food, so let’s go in.”
16
ELLIS
As soon as we’re through the door, it’s clear Alice’s impromptu barbeque is anything but a last-minute, unplanned event.
She ushers us to the backyard, where she’s set up her pop-up shelter to provide shade to the seating area. The kids’ playset is pulled closer to the tree so it’s in the shade.
“Take a seat over there. Max has started on the food. I’ll bring the drinks out in a minute,” she says before leaving us in the middle of the backyard.
I gesture to the shade tent so we can get out of the sun.
Milo keeps Sara in the stroller, and since she’s in a sitting position, she can see everything around her.
“Where’s my girl? She here yet?” Darius steps out of the kitchen into the backyard and comes straight to us. He looks at Milo for permission, which he gives with a nod, and Sara is happily giggling in Darius’s arms in no time.
“Should I be worried about the age gap in this relationship?” Milo asks. “What are your intentions toward my girl?”
Darius laughs. “Don’t worry, Pops. My intentions are pure. She’s my new best friend. Isn’t that right, sweetie?” he says to Sara. “Want to play with Uncle Darius on the grass?”
Darius takes Sara’s socks off and goes to the play area, where there’s a bunch of the kids’ toys. He sits on the grass cross-legged, and we watch as he places Sara barefoot on the cool grass.
She doesn’t like it initially. Pulling her legs up as soon as they touch the grass. But after a little while, she seems to get used to the feeling and stands, holding on to Darius’s hands.
From the corner of my eye, I see Milo smiling. “He seems great around kids.”
“My brother is the type of person who does nothing by half-measure. He plays in a hard rock band. When he’s with his friends, it’s all about partying, drinking, being tough, getting new tattoos, and getting laid. His words, not mine,” I explain. “But then there’s his other side that only our family and very close friends get to see. The gentle guy who’s happy sitting in the grass playing with a baby.”
We sit back and watch Sara as Darius helps her walk a few steps.
Alice brings us drinks and some snacks. While Milo is distracted looking at Sara, I catch Alice giving me a look but don’t understand what she’s trying to say.
She keeps looking from Milo to me and back.
I shake my head and shrug. She rolls her eyes and purses her lips in a silent kiss.
“What? No.”
By the time I realize I voiced my reply, it’s too late.
Milo looks at us, and Alice smiles. “I was pointing at the chips. Ellis usually can’t decide if he wants the ones I bought specially for him or the ones he brings himself.”
I know it’s illegal to kill your own sibling, but would it be frowned upon if I tripped her the next time she walks by with a bowl of something that stains, say, barbecue sauce?
“Your sister is funny.”
“Or extremely irritating. It’s such a fine line.”
He laughs, and I’m so glad we got past the awkwardness of earlier.
If he knew the effect that seeing him in just a towel around his waist had on me, he’d run out of my place and never look back.
My only regret was not having more time to take my fill of him, but I didn’t miss the bulge under the towel. Not when he came out of the bathroom, or as it thickened the longer we stood there.
