In His Secret Life

Chapter 5-1

Chapter 5

Here we were, standing outside Dayton’s front door.

“I’m very nervous,” I said to Elsie, catching sight of her pale cheeks. “You okay?”

“I feel like puking.” She brushed her long straight hair back and looked over at Fay. “How do you feel?”

“Why aren’t we going inside?”

“She’s right,” I said, holding my finger up to the bell. “What if they come out and see us standing here?”

Fay knocked on the door and jiggled the handle. “Dayton said everyone has gifts for me.”

The door opened and Dayton stood in its frame. He looked even more nervous than we did. “Hey, there you are.” He kissed my sister quickly and rubbed Fay’s head, but meanwhile, his eyes were on my face, speaking volumes. This was huge for him.

“Okay, let’s go in and meet everyone,” I said with false confidence.

We stepped into Dayton’s home and were greeted by his mother, Ingrid. She reminded me of Bette Midler with her golden sandals and heavy jewelry. I knew I’d like her. We were ushered into the living room where we were greeted by a younger woman—she was lovely, with very high cheekbones and a small, pouting mouth. Her smile was tense and her hand was cold in mine. There was a general unhappiness about her—something melancholic in her blue eyes. “I’m Eileen,” she said. “Dayton’s sister-in-law.” She grabbed a boy as he ran past us. “And this is Jude, my son.” The boy was exceptionally good-looking with striking dark eyes. Eileen was fair-skinned and blonde. The boy must have been his father’s image.

Another child was introduced to us, this one younger and fairer, then a few other women I was told were friends and cousins, and soon my head was spinning. I couldn’t remember anyone’s name.

My sister was surrounded. I looked around at Dayton’s home and tried to get my bearings. His house was very cozy. There was sports memorabilia everywhere. Trophies overloaded bookshelves.

“Oh, Allan, this is Dali.” Dayton touched my arm and I turned around to find him standing next to a young guy dressed in a flashy baby-blue shirt.

“Well, hello,” the guy said, his eyes moving all over me. Gael Garcia? No, I didn’t think so. Not my type.

Not my type at all.

I held my hand out to him. “Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to be nice.

As Dayton and Dali struck up a conversation, I looked around, losing track of what they were saying. I felt a little out of place here. But Elsie and Dayton had insisted I come.

“So, you’re a legal clerk,” Dali said, eying me over. “What does that mean exactly?”

Didn’t the title pretty much explain it?

“I file paperwork for—” But I stopped, my face getting hot. “Lawyers,” I muttered. A man was walking up to us…and this man was absolutely stunning. He was Dayton’s height, but leaner, with dark brown hair and very penetrating equally dark eyes. He was in his late thirties or maybe even early forties. This guy had an air of a man who’d been around the block a few times, but wasn’t impressed with what he’d seen. Maybe it was in the way he looked at his brothers—looked at them like they still hadn’t figured out what he already knew.

“This must be the little brother,” he said, meeting us and offering his hand to me. “Allan, right?”

“Yes, that’s me,” I said, mastering my wits. This man was not like any other man I’d ever met. It was in the way he watched me just now. There was so much humor and intelligence in his stare. He seemed to be amused with the world yet fighting it with all of his strength. He reminded me of the guys I’d known in college—the quiet troublemakers, the political activists.

Yes, this man had that same edge about him.

He looked at me with great interest. “I’m Davinder. Nice to meet you,” he said before walking over to his wife, who was fussing over the younger boy, his son.

So, Davinder was the married brother. Just my luck.

“Well, you’ve met everyone.” Dayton wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Let’s get you a drink. You look a little shell-shocked.”

I was still affected by Davinder’s sexy dark eyes. “Sure, thanks,” I said, tearing my gaze away.

“Hey,” Dayton called out to Davinder, “why don’t you fix my future brother-in-law your favorite drink?”

Davinder turned and smirked at his brother. “You mean, a Manhattan?”

That was my favorite drink!