Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

restaurant’s famous tamales and Savannah had told him how herparents liked to stay up in the latest crazes when it came to Mexican cuisine.

As soon as Byron came around the car, he instinctively took herhand in his. They walked into the restaurant where her dad waved them down.

“My mom and other brother are in town too,” Savannah stated theobvious as Byron took in the large table they were seated at and all theircurious faces.

Squeezing her hand, he did his best to be cool. “Wonderful.”

She laughed softly. “Mom, daddy,” she said as soon as theyreached the table. “Let me formally introduce you to . . .” She paused for amoment pulling a strand of hair behind her ear and glancing away. “My friendByron.” After introducing him to her parents she turned to her brothers whoboth seemed to be staring him down unimpressed. “Byron these are my littlebrothers,” she said with a giggle since even sitting down there was no missinghow much bigger they both were than their older sisters. “Alex, but we all callhim Taz, and the baby, Adam aka Gordo because he was such an adorablechubby when he was a baby.”

Both guys made no qualms about openly taking him in before liftinga chin at him, but he didn’t get much more than a “Sup?”

Despite the not-so-inviting greeting, Byron smiled. “How’s itgoing?”

Of course, her dad pointed at the open seats closest to him andher mother. Her dad sat at the head of the table; his wife next to him. Byrongot stuck right next to her dad and directly across from her mother. Savannatook the seat next to Byron and Sienna next to her while her brothers satacross from their sisters now.

Byron casually but quickly took in the family physical aura. Herparent’s genes had been evenly split. Obviously, her brothers got their physiquesfrom her dad who was a big muscular man. Savannah’s mother was sittingdown but even then, Byron could tell as she leaned into her husband andwhispered something with a raised brow, she looked as dainty as Savannah feltin his arms.

Even though what appeared to be a warning from his wife, her dadwasted no time as soon as they were situated to start firing away questions. “So,how long you been going out with my daughter?”

“Uh,” Byron glanced at her but clearly, she was going to let himtake the question as she took a swig of her water. “Technically, it’s beenabout a week since we officially met and started talking daily. But uh, we’dseen each other around for a little over a month?”

He turned to Savannah for help. Byron knew the seeing each other aroundstuff didn’t count for shit but given the scene he’d made today, he didn’t wanther family thinking him an outrageously premature entitled psycho like she’dmade him feel a few times already.

Before Savannah could add her two cents her dad went on. “How’dyou officially meet?”

The waitress dropped off their drinks. Sodas for the boys a beerfor dad and a glass of wine for mom. Before either he or Savannah could answer hepointed at Byron. “You old enough to drink?”

“Yeah, but I’m driving.”

Her father nodded approvingly as the waitress proceeded to take thefood and drink orders from the new arrivals at the table. “So, how’d you meet mydaughter?” her dad asked again as he took a swig of his beer. Clearly this lineof questioning would be aimed at him for the most part.

“At a party, daddy.”

Byron turned to Savannah who was likely and understandably so,fearing Byron might share last week’s fiasco at the frat party. Her big eyeswidened ever so slightly as they met Byron’s sending a silent message thenturned back to her dad. “We started talking then exchanged numbers.”

Glancing away from her, Byron met her dad’s probing eyes. “Yousaid you’d seen each other around. Around school?”

Swallowing hard, Byron shook his head. “No, actually. I’m donewith school. I first saw her at 5thStreet, the gym.”

Stopping before taking another swig of his beer, her dad seemedto sit back in his chair. “Done with school? How old are you?”

“I’m twenty-five, sir.”

Her dad sat up straighter again as her mom touched his arm.“Twenty-five?”

“Beast is his brother,” Sienna suddenly piped up. “The Beast,daddy. The boxer. Isn’t that crazy? Him and Beast own their own auto repair andrestoration shop. You know the one that’s been on that reality show you watchsometimes.”

Byron practically held his breath. As her parents exchangedlooks, her mother once again raised a brow as her dad very obviously worked hisjaw.

“You’re Beast’s brother?” Gordo suddenly asked sounding excited. “Didhe really kill that guy? You never know what to believe on the internet anymoreand that’s been so debated.”

Suddenly all eyes were on him. When he turned to Savannah herswere closed for a moment since they’d already discussed this, and she knew thewhole story. “Yeah, uh,” he cleared his throat. “Fortunately, he’d been just intime to save his girlfriend from being sexually assaulted.” He had all of theirundivided attention, but he turned to her dad to add the rest. “Some argued hisbeating the guy to death was excessive and well, my brother is notorious forhis temper—”

“I’ve heard the story and seen the footage. I don’t know a singleman who wouldn’t have had the same reaction.” Her dad took another swig of hisbeer as the waitress dropped off Byron, Savannah and Sienna’s drinks. “I’m gladhe got off,” he added as soon as the waitress walked away. “So, you said you’redone with school. You mean college?

“Yes, sir. Graduated last year.”

“What did you major in?”

“I got my bachelor’s in business administration,” Byron answeredglancing at a proudly smiling Savannah. “But I minored in digital marketing.”

“So, you’re part owner of Bad Boys?” Gordo asked. “I heard youguys might get your own reality show.”

“There’s been talk about it, but nothing’s come of it yet.”

“Has Vannah told you about our YouTube and TikTok Channels?”Sienna asked.

Byron turned to Sienna then back to Savannah in question. “No,she hasn’t.”

“Well, that doesn’t surprise me.” Sienna lifted her cup, bringingthe straw to her lips before adding “She’s completely neglected it ever sinceshe went away to school.”

“Nena, editing