Lyric’s P.O.V
“So you’re David Donovan.” Asked the brown haired, green eyed man in front of me, muscular arms crossed over his chest. The man was over six feet tall and built like a mini tank and from the look of menace on his face; he was very close to crushing me in the palm of his hand.
Nathan, the little bastard was standing a few feet behind his older brother with a shit-eating grin on his face because he thought I’d cower away from Stephen McKenzie like most people were used to. So, I too folded my arms across my chest and looked Stephen directly in the eyes as I spoke to him.
“Yes. And you must be Lydia’s older brother, Stephen.” I tilted my head to the side, studying him in the same way he was studying me before adding, “Lydia speaks quiet highly of you. Congratulations on getting engaged.”
Stephen’s eyes softened at the mention of his sister’s name, even though he didn’t lose the stance and it was evident from the emotions in his eyes that he was the kind of guy who would do anything for the people he loved and he loved his baby sister dearly. It was the same with Nathan as well, even though he was younger than Lydia, he was still fiercely protective of her and there was no doubt in my mind that he loved her just as much as Stephen. I understood then the impact Lydia’s accident must have had on them. Both of them would stand in front of a bullet to save Lydia and the fact that they hadn’t been able to do that…it must be killing them inside every day.
“I don’t know what your relationship with my sister is,” Stephen said, his voice hard. “But if you dare hurt her, I’ll kill you myself.”
“Don’t worry,” I told him, keeping my voice neutral. “You won’t be getting that chance because I don’t plan on hurting Lydia. Ever.”
“Good.” Stephan finally uncrossed his arms and held out his hand for me to shake. “Then we have an understanding.”
“I’m glad.” I shook his hand firmly, glad that this hurdle was cleared. It did feel weird that I wanted to get Lydia’s family’s approval even though nothing was really going on between the two of us. Was I attracted to her? Hell yes! She was a smart, beautiful woman who had survived hell. Anyone would be attracted to her. Did I care for her? Also, yes. I didn’t pity her or her circumstances; she was a survivor who deserved only my respect. But that didn’t stop my protective instincts from going off charts whenever I was with her.
“Come on,” Stephen told me. “Let’s introduce you to the rest of the family.”
The official party was tomorrow but some of the distant family members had started arriving already. I’d met Lydia’s mother earlier and she had seemed like the kindest, most loving mother in the universe who kept fussing about my meals and my health, something my mother rarely did. I hadn’t met Lydia’s father yet, but after I found out that he was the Senator, I was left a bit flustered. It explained why Lydia was under constant scrutiny from the media and why she had to leave town.
Stephen took me to meet some of their relatives who were gathered in the lawn to make merry and enjoy a few drinks. Correction, I stood on the sidelines watching Stephen interact with everyone while I was almost completely ignored. It wasn’t that I wanted to know these people or something, mostly because I had no idea who they were and it would also save me from having to answer a lot of awkward questions. But watching Lydia’s family interact with each other…it made me realize just how much I was missing.
Lydia and I grew up in completely different worlds. She was adored by her parents and her brothers, while my parents had been content with just having Derek. Why did they even have me if they didn’t want another child?
“Hey!”
Startled, I turned to look at the woman who had snuck up on me. She looked around Stephen’s age, with midnight black hair and dark brown eyes. Her skin was an olive complexion and she was quiet tall, around five feet nine. She looked beautiful in a dark olive floor-length dress, but she wasn’t Lydia.
“Hi,” I nodded at her awkwardly.
“You must be Lyric,” the woman smiled. “I’m Ivy Jane Summers, Stephen’s fiancé.”
“Ah!” I held out my hand for her, realizing that she must have a good relation with Lydia if she was calling me by my middle name. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you!” She shook my hand and stopped a passing waiter. “You want anything to drink?” She asked while picking up a glass of red wine.
“Thank you.” I picked up a glass of wine as well.
“I heard you got on the wrong foot with Lydia in the beginning.” Ivy Jane laughed. “I’m guessing things are going smoothly now.”
“Not quiet.” I sighed. “I guess you can say we’ve come to…an understanding.”
“Well, congrats on that.” Ivy Jane smiled, clinking her glass to mine. “It’s been two years since she’s come to an understanding with anyone. Ever science the incident, she had never opened up to anyone except for her family and even then, Stephen is the only person who probably knows everything that goes on in her mind. He was shattered after her accident. I’m sorry if he gave you a hard time about Lydia…he’s just looking out for her.”
“I have an older brother too, so I guess I understand where he’s coming from.” I told her. “My brother, Derek, was a Navy SEAL until a bomb explosion took away his legs. My family was devastated.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry to hear that.” Ivy apologized. “But I guess that’s the reason why Lydia and you get along. She knows you’d never pity her.”
“Lydia doesn’t need pity.” I told her instantly. “She’s a strong woman.”
“I like you.” Ivy Jane told me suddenly as she smiled at me and took a sip of her wine. “I think you and Lydia would make a nice couple.”
“We aren’t-”
I was cut off by Lydia’s mother who appeared at the doorway and announced to everyone that dinner was ready.
“Come on,” Ivy Jane pointed towards the entrance. “Let’s get you acquainted with everyone.”
“Actually…” I stopped her. “Can we skip the introductions? If possible, I would like to have dinner in my room tonight.”
“Scared of the awkward questions?” She gave a knowing smile. “No problem. You go on ahead, I’ll arrange the rest.”
“Thank you.” I bowed my head politely. “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Summers.”
“Same here, Mr. Donovan.” Ivy grinned.
And so, I walked back to my room that night, knowing that at least one person in Lydia’s house approved of our non-existent relationship.