I now know what they mean when they say, the tension was so thick one could cut it with a knife. After I opened up for Noah, he has been staring at Hayden the entire time with a scowl on his face. I introduced him to Hayden and the idiot gave my poor baby the longest handshake ever, if Hayden wasn't a strong I'm sure his hand who have fallen off with how that handshake seemed so form and bone crushing.

Hayden gave as bad as he got, making sure not to be scared by my idiot of a brother. I went upstairs to change into my clothes after opening up for Noah and came downstairs to find both men still standing up, I sad on a stool at the kitchen counter and texted Hailey about what's currently happening.

'Noah, will you stop staring at my boyfriend like you want to murder him.' I say out loud catching both men by surprise.

"What I want to know is when did you start dating, and more importantly why this guy?" He says roughly.

'I didn't know I had to ask permission to date and you and I both know what is bothering you.' I roll my eyes at him.

Hayden moves away from Noah and comes to sit besides me making sure to be as close as he could be. Noah's jaw is so tight I'm afraid he might break a few teeth.

"Does mum know her little baby is not so little, does she know you are dating an older guy who looks like he wants to eat you up?"

This makes me want to laugh and scream at the same time, Noah is acting like a jerk right now and I think I have heard enough of it. I text Hailey to come put a leash on her dog before I kick it to the curb.

"Victoria is old enough to do what she wants" Hayden says.

'You make it seem like I'm dating a guy old enough to be my dad Noah, and to answer your question, yes mum knows about Hayden'

"She does?" They ask in unison making me roll my eyes.

'Of course she does, she heard Hayden in the background so I ended up telling her about him'

Before any of them can say anything we hear a knock at my door, it can't be Hailey so it means our delivery is finally here. I was starting to wonder why it's taking so long. Hayden stands up to get the door just as I am about to, saying he has got it. Noah walks over to sit across from me still scowling.

"I'm sorry for the delay, there was an accident on my way here" I hear a muffled voice say.

"It's okay man, keep the change." Hayden says.

"Thank you, have a great evening" the delivery guy says walking away and Hade closes the door.

'Noah I'm happy you came by, but I wished you could have called first. Hade and I planned to have a quiet night in, you are welcome to stay, but only if you are willing to behave'

"I didn't know I have to make an appointment to see my lil sister. I will go home"

'Stop being dramatic Noah, let's go see grandma and grandpa tomorrow.' I say standing up to give Noah a hug.

"Why tomorrow, we could go next weekend so tomorrow I spent the whole day with my girl."

'Next weekend we have to go home, don't tell me you forgot.' I say letting him go.

"I was hoping I could make an excuse or that you forgot about it." He says typing on his phone.

"Let me go before Hailey comes here to get me because you decided to snitch on me." He kisses my forehead and goes for the door.

'I knew you would listen to her. Drive safely and give Hailey a hug for me.' I say walking him to the door.

"Don't worry, I will even kiss her for you." He says winking.

'Eww Noah, just get out.'

"Fine, just don't do anything I wouldn't do with that idiot over there." He says walking away.

................................

After Noah left Hayden and I chose a movie to watch and ate our cold pizza. It wasn't awkward between us, but we did everything to avoid the big elephant in the room. We watched the movie, not really focusing on it each in their own head thinking of how to proceed.

"So you told your mum about me?" Hayden breaks the silence between us and pauses the movie.

'Yeah, she kept blowing my phone with texts asking whose voice was it that she heard in the background. I finally told later that night'

"How did she take it?"

'She must be planning our wedding by now' I laugh knowing my mum has been waiting or this for years.

"That happy, well at least someone is happy you are with me.".

'Don't worry about Noah, he is overprotective and if it were up to him I would stay single till I am 50'

"I am not worried."

We say nothing for a few minutes before I break the silence this time. 'I am sorry about last weekend'

"It's okay, I was also at fault."

'But, it's really not okay Hade. I shouldn't have run away like I did, truth is you were right about me keeping you at arm's length'

'There are blanks in my childhood that I can't figure out and until I do, I don't think I will be able to be who you want me to be.'

Hayden holds my face and kisses my cheeks and nose. "I don't want you to be someone else love, I like you just as you are."

'I like you as you are too, I think we just have to learn how to coexist and be patient with each other you know.' I say with a sad smile.

"Yes, it will take time to get used to having someone who we can share the load with and once we get the hang of that we will do just fine."

'I think it's time I ask mum and my grandparents some hard questions and I have decided to go to therapy as soon as my internship ends' I tell him mumbling in his neck.

"I don't want you to do this for me, take all the time you need until you are ready." He says pulling me on his lap.

Hayden and I always love being so close to each other, when we are alone I am always on his lap or underneath him. It's like we are attached to each other, so I'm not surprised that we are here cuddling on my couch right now.

'I know, but it's time I stop leaving in as bubble. I am doing this for me and probably Noah, he has been there my entire life and I believe I will understand him more and be able to support him if I know fully well what happened to make him hate home so much.'

"Okay love, I'm here when you want to talk okay?"

'I know, what are your plans for next weekend. I think you should come with us Florida'

'It's Sam's birthday. It's mum's tradition to make a big fuss about our eighteenth birthday and Sam will be in college for his eighteenth birthday next year, so she wants to celebrate this year instead of next year.'

"Are you sure it's okay? I feel like I will be intruding."

'It's fine, it's also our tradition to spoil the day' I say with a laugh and Hayden pulls away from me to take a proper look at me.

"If that's the case then I am not going with you. It's okay to be hated by one brother, two is a stretch." he says looking annoyed.

'I am kidding baby' I say laughing.

Mum is a big fan of celebrating birthdays and Christmas, so she asks to celebrate at least our birthdays with us. She usually hosts a family lunch for our birthdays and from there we can do all we want.

'Mo was introduced to my family during my 14th birthday, my mum's mother almost had a heart attack.'

Mo thought my grandma had a problem with her because she was African American, but the problem was the way she was dressed. My grandma is a Catholic and wanted us to have the same beliefs as she had, dress a certain way and what not, so seeing Mo in a crop top and mini skirt made her have a fit.

'During Noah's 18th birthday, he disappeared the entire day and missed out on mum's celebrations. My mother was so angry with him, Noah spent the entire weekend away from home making things worse for him. When he came home, he had a tattoo and was high as a kite.'

"What about you, what did you do for you 18th birthday to piss your mother off?" Hayden questions enjoying my family dilemmas.

'I was in college for my eighteenth birthday, my parents bought me a car and made sure to promise to go home for my 19th birthday.'

"I am guessing you are the goody too shoes at home." He teases.

'Yep, Noah is the rebel and Sam is the sensible one. So for my 19th birthday, Noah had calmed his rebellious spirit, but he had to make a statement. So he came with my grandparents just to piss mum off.'

"Your dad's parents? Why would that piss her off?"

'Short version, they don't get along. Noah knew that I would want them there and I was happy to see there for my birthday lunch.'

"He did it even though he knew your mum would be angry, that to me proves how much he loves you. I am happy you have that kind of relationship with him" he says with a faraway look but changes the subject before I could comment on it.

"I'm guessing this are the same grandparents you are visiting tomorrow?"

'Yep. So are you sure you can handle my family drama baby?' I ask him smiling.

"As long as you are there with me, I can do anything love"

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I simply cannot wait to see what unfolds at Sam's birthday lunch. Will Noah behave or will his mother unleash the rebel in him?

Kikipee💙