Myra’s Big Mistake – Chapter 12

My decision haunts me all the way up the hill to the family house. I have made an extreme error in judgment. I know it. Between Mochi and Nosuké, I am ushering in an uncomfortable fight, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. I have dug my grave, and now I must lie in it.

Nosuké swings open the squeaky gate and gestures for me to enter in front of him. Ringo is at his feet, and Mochi won’t leave my shoulders.

“You look nervous,” Nosuké whispers.

“That’s because I am.”

I wish he weren’t so handsome. My sisters will fall all over him. They love it when men come for an unannounced visit. I close my eyes and let out a long breath. Clutching the cheesecake box to my chest, I approach the front deck. My mom beats me to the door.

“Myra! Darling, it’s been ages since you came to a family dinner.” Her eyes widen as she looks over Nosuké from head to toe. Did I say my sisters would be falling all over him? Because I think I meant my mom. “This is Mr. Maeda’s son, no?” She stretches her hand out to shake his.

“He’s also Mr. Maeda, Mom,” I say and clear my throat. “Nosuké, this is my mom, Lea Kimura.”

“A pleasure to meet you in person, though I’ve heard many wonderful things about you.” Nosuké’s smile is charming, and it hits Mom right in the chest.

She brings her hand to her breast and returns his smile. “How kind.” My mom never blushes, but she averts her eyes when she’s embarrassed or smitten. When her eyes leave Nosuké’s, I roll mine. “Oh, we have pairs here. Who is this?”

“This is my Ringo. I hope he won’t be a bother.”

“Not at all.” She reaches out for Mochi. “How’s my friend doing today?”

“I’m so excited to be here,” he says, and I relay the statement.

“Excellent. Mochi and Ringo should join Finn, Ivan, and the rest of the animals in the kitchen. Is this for us?” Mom reaches out for the pastry box, and I hand it over.

“Dessert. It’s a cheesecake.”

I grasp Nosuké’s hand and pull him along behind me into the house. We leave our shoes in the front entry.

“You’re not the first boy any of us has brought home,” I whisper to him, “but you are the most unexpected. So I’ll do my best, but my dad often steamrolls over me. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he says, squeezing my hand and letting go.

“Follow me.” Head-to-toe tingles that usually precede an anxiety attack wash over me. Nope. No. No way. Not right now. I take a deep breath through my nose and plow forward, despite the feeling that I’m leading an animal to slaughter.

My parents’ living room becomes a pre-dinner sitting room for my father and older brother on family dinner nights. If we’re going to cause a scene, it’s best to do it there, isolated from the rest of my sisters.

My older brother, Ean, and Dad are in a deep conversation when we approach the living room, so they don’t notice us until I clear my throat.

“Dad, Ean, I brought a guest to dinner tonight.” I edge to the side and encourage Nosuké to step forward. Ean’s eyebrows are ready to launch into space. Dad’s mouth is open and unresponsive. “Nosuké, you know my dad already. This is my brother, Ean.”

Ean is the first to stand up. They shake hands. “We’ve met before,” Ean says. Oh really? Their demeanor is warm. That’s unexpected.

Dad is still unresponsive.

“Dad,” I urge him through clenched teeth. “Don’t be rude.”

“I’m… I’m…” He rises to his feet and slowly shakes Nosuké’s hand. I have no idea what’s going through either of their heads. Dad looks stunned, and Nosuké has his polite mask on. “What are you doing in my home?”

Embarrassment burns my scalp. I’m one billion degrees and in danger of bursting into flames.

Nosuké chuckles. “Myra invited me to dinner, and I accepted. I was hoping I could get to know your family. Maybe have a drink later and discuss business matters.”

“Myra… invited you?” Dad’s face is chalky white. Eek. That’s never a good sign. His eyes dart between Nosuké and me.

“Nosuké and I are friends.” I start thinking of all the positive things I can say. “We’ve been friends for years now.” I wave my hand like this is not big news. “And he’s always been talkative and kind and… And we recently started spending more time together. So, you know, I… I, uh… I paired with a skunk, Dad.”

Oh shit. Where did that come from? I close my eyes and curse myself from one end of the galaxy to the other. What the actual fuck is wrong with my brain?

Dad’s skin tone reddens, and his jaw hardens. “You paired with a nocturnal?”

I breathe out a thready laugh. Ean sets his drink down.

But time comes to a stop as Nosuké turns to me and grasps my upper arms. “Can I speak to you for a moment?” He directs me out into the hall, away from the living room, without me answering. I press my fingers to my lips and try not to cry.

“You are…” He sighs and shakes his head. “You are a brave woman.” He leans in and kisses me on the forehead. I close my eyes and concentrate on the spot, his lips on my skin. I’m afraid to admit that this is a romantic gesture because I’m sure it’ll be forgotten in a moment or two. The sex… oh, the mind-blowing and passionate sex already feels like a lifetime ago. “Take a deep breath. Come back to Mochi later. Let’s go back in there, and I’ll do the talking, okay?”

I wave at my face to rid myself of my almost-tears and now a flush from the kiss. Nosuké leads me back into the room, and I lag behind, glancing at the kitchen to see Mom watching us.

“Nosuké, would you like a drink?” Ean asks, crossing to the bar. Thank the gods for him. He’s sometimes the only sane one in this whole family.

“Yes, please. Whatever you’re drinking.”

I’m not surprised I’m not offered a drink. That’s probably for the best.

Dad is sitting and staring into space. “You know,” he begins. I freeze in my spot. “I thought, after the fight with Suri, that things could not get any worse. I forgot about Myra.”

“Mr. Kimura,” Nosuké says, taking the drink from Ean, “Myra is a talented and focused woman. I’m enamored with her openness and sense of humor. You are a lucky father.” He sits across from Dad. I hear a quick gasp and a giggle behind me, spin around, and the doorway is empty. That sounded like Winta.

Dad blinks and pulls back. I don’t think anyone has ever, ever, complimented me in his presence. I love both my parents, but they have only ever tolerated me and my mistakes with a sigh, a hug, and a promise to always love me. Never pride. Never excitement. Never an encouraging word that I will do better with more practice. Just resignation.

Thinking about it now, I didn’t realize how much it had held me back. Hearing Nosuké compliment me makes me want to return home and bake the most delicious cake ever. Something with chocolate… and nuts… ganache definitely. My stomach growls. I sit down in a chair next to Nosuké and press my lips together.

“I was hoping that we could sit and talk tonight, away from the conference room tables, about your hopes and aspirations for this town.”

“Certainly not gambling and debauchery at the likes of your casinos,” Dad growls. Ean shoots him a warning glance.

Nosuké grins. “I am not my father, any more than Myra is not you or her mother. We don’t have to fight. We can figure out a better option.”

Dad jumps to his feet. “You will not manipulate me in my own house.” He jabs his index finger at the floor.

“Denshi,” my mom admonishes, gliding into the room, “let’s try not to send our guests away before feeding them.” She smiles down at Nosuké. “Everyone, please, let’s move to the table now. Dinner is served.”

Saved by the mom.

She escorts Nosuké away, and Ean follows them. Dad walks up next to me.

“You brought the enemy into my home. You.”

“Dad,” I say with a sigh, “you’re being ridiculous. Get to know him. Maybe you can find common ground.”

He turns to me, and his eyes are crimson with anger. “I didn’t think you could disappoint me any more than you have. I was wrong.”

My heart drops to my stomach as I follow him into the dining room.

Everything is about to change.

Everything.