Chapter 31

Elaine clapped her hands together gently. “Right now lunch is finished, I’ve got some games I’d like to play.”

Blake rolled his eyes and said “Mom aren’t we a bit old for games?”

“Come on Blake.” Elaine said “You’re never too old for games.”

As Melissa helped Brock to clear the table and loaded the dishwasher, Elaine, Blake, Tony and Andrea moved into the living room to discuss games.

“My mom is so obvious.” Brock said suddenly, snapping Melissa back into the present, she'd be lost in her thoughts about what happened at the dinner table, did Blake still want her? But what about Brock? She found herself starting to fall for him the same way she did his brother. "Brock, what do you mean?" She asked, giving Brock a conflicted look. Brock paused, he was going to tell her about what his mother said, he knew what Elaine was up to, his mother had a big heart, she invited Melissa for two reasons, one was because she was alone at Christmas, Elaine hated the idea of anyone being alone at Christmas, to the point she’d invited weird uncle Al, who did nothing but complain, about everything even the weather, and the second reason was to set up Melissa and Brock, it had been three years since he’d had a girlfriend, and he hadn’t really dated, his mother wanted her children happy and often “helped” to set them up on dates.

He was trying to test the waters, he started off wanting to be her friend, and even now he wanted that friendship to continue, but he wanted more. "I mean she's always like this with the games at Christmas time even though we...." Brock continued to talk, but Melissa was again distracted by her own thoughts she continued to absent mindedly to stare at the sink. Her thoughts still conflicted. Her feelings were muddled, her heart was thrown into confusion. Unconsciously her face reddened as she thought about Brock and didn't notice he was behind her. It was only when Brock put a gentle hand on the tap to turn it off did she turn around to face him trying desperately to remember anything he was talking about but she couldn't, all she could do was look into his eyes.

Stuck between the sink and Brock’s muscular chest against her back, he turned her around slowly to look at him.

“These past few weeks we’ve spent together have been the best.” He said his voice was deep and sexually charged.

“Me too.” Melissa managed to squeak out. The smouldering look on Brock’s face was turning her insides to butterflies, she felt a warmth growing in her lower stomach. She opened her mouth and let out a wordless gasp. She could feel the heat off his body.

His eyes seemed to darken, his lips mere centimetres away from hers, she almost leaned in to close the distance when they were disturbed by someone clearing their throat.

It was Elaine. “Ahem. Sorry, I just came to get a drink.” She said with a secretive smile on her face. Walking away with her drink she could feel an idea forming in her head.

Brock moved away from Melissa, she felt the cold of the air surrounding her after his warm body moved away.

Finishing up they joined the others in the living room, Elaine was sat in the armchair, a tower of board and card games by her side on the floor. Andrea was sitting on the floor next to her mum, Tony was sat at the opposite end of the coffee table, Blake sat on a dining room chair he appeared to be sulking.

Elaine’s expression lit up as the two entered.

“You two are on the couch.” She stated.

Sitting down on the couch, Brock asked “What are we playing first mom?”

“Hmmmm let’s see.” Elaine said. Brock looked at his mother, ‘Like she hasn’t already thought about it.’ But didn’t say anything, just raised an eyebrow in her direction.

“Let’s play charades.” Elaine declared a square box in her hands, placing it on the table, she said “We can play in teams. Me and Dad, Blake and Andrea and Brock and Melissa.”

Opening the box she put pencils, paper and charade cards in their own box on the table.

Blake locked eyes with Brock who smirked and raised an eyebrow, putting an arm around Melissa’s shoulders. Giving her a friendly side hug, before saying and letting his arm drop “We’ll smash it.” He said and Melissa turned her head and said “You bet. By the way I get super competitive.” Melissa said with a laugh.

Andrea complained “Why do I have to be with Blake? He’s terrible at this game. Why can’t I be on a team with Melissa?”

Elaine said with finality “Because I said so.”

Smiling kindly Melissa offered “We can team up, on the next game if you want?” Andrea seemed satisfied with that.

They rolled a dice that had been left in there last time. “Highest number goes first, then the next and the lowest last.” Elaine declared.

Blake rolled for their team and got a 1, Andrea scoffed about her brother not being able to do that right, Tony got a 3, “Ok Melissa all we have to do is beat three.” Brock said “Do you want to roll?”

Melissa picked up the smooth red dice. Shaking it in her hand, she rolled it on the table, “6 yes.” Brock declared.

And with that the game started.

“Ok so which one of you is going to act it out first.” Elaine asked

“Brock can, I’m happy guessing.” Melissa smiled, Brock chuckled and grabbed a card. Standing in front of the people seated he took a look at the card.

“Oh you have to do it within in a minute.” Elaine said grabbing a small hourglass. Brock looked at the card.

FILM

DEADPOOL

Brock grinned, he knew this was one of Melissa’s favourite films, they’d talked and laughed about it, even quoting bits of the film, that brought them into fits of laughter.

Elaine said “Ready and......go.”

Brock started to do the gestures for charades

“It’s a film.” Melissa responded. Brock nodded.

He held up one finger “One word.” She said

Thinking he split the word into syllables, by tapping two fingers on his bicep.

“Two syllables” came Melissa’s response

He tapped his arm again “second syllable.”

He mimicked swimming.

“Swim? dive? water? drowning? Pool?” Melissa said Brock shook his head after each one except the last which he nodded.

“Deadpool” Melissa said. Brock didn’t even have mine the first syllable.

“Yes.” Brock said. With a few seconds to spare Brock and Melissa started off by getting points.

The game carried on in the same vein, for three hours.

Elaine announced “and the winners with 31 points, is......Brock and Melissa.”

Elaine got up and continued “Right it’s 5:00 I’m going to prepare a sandwich for dinner. Does anyone want one?”

“No thank you. I’m still full from lunch.” Melissa explained.

Brock agreed, Blake said he’d like a sandwich and was promptly asked to come give his mother a hand. Before she left to get something to eat, Elaine told them “Don’t worry, I will feed the dogs. Would you like to show Melissa where she will be sleeping.”

“Actually I need to take Storm and Sully for a walk. Would...” Melissa stated.

“Perhaps Brock would go with you? Because you may get lost being new to our neighbourhood” Elaine said looking her elder son directly in the eye.

Melissa took her coat that Brock had been holding, as she handed him the leashes. Putting on her coat, is difficult with two large dogs, itching to get out on their walk, she reached into the deep pockets pulling out her matching grey cashmere gloves, scarf and hat which she treasured not for because they were cashmere but a gift for her birthday last year from Ryan, he always knew what she needed or wanted, and he always had good taste in clothes for others.

As she finished putting on her gloves Brock opened the door, handing back Storm’s lead he held the door open as they stepped out into the cold December afternoon.

It was already dark out, the surrounding area being illuminated by numerous hanging pretty Christmas decorations and street lights.