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Martin? Fortunately, he is not meeting him here. It’s bad enough to run into Oliver, but Martin is probably my least favorite brother of all. I decide to be thankful that at least it’s only Oliver bumping into us.

“I understand,” Lynn hums and nods.

It’s silent for a moment. None of the others knows what to say or do. They don’t even know who the guy is, just that it’s very obvious neither Lynn nor I are particularly happy to see him.

This is ridiculous.

“Everyone,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm and composed while willing all my emotions down. “This is my oldest brother. Oliver.”

“Oh,” Sterling nods.

Mateo regains his composure quickly and jumps right into his professional self. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Randall.”

“Oh, I am not…“ Oliver says, before his voice trails off. “It’s nice to meet you, too,” he says instead.

“You are not what?” Noel wants to know.

It’s funny. I can see it in his expression, he is so close to letting his claws out, but not in the humorous way, he does it with his friends. He looks a lot more serious all of a sudden.

“He is not a Randall,” I explain in Oliver’s or Lynn’s stead. “We are half-brothers.”

“Oh, I get it. I apologize,” Mateo says politely.

“These are our friends,” Lynn introduces the group briefly, without going into detail, who they are.

Oliver rubs the back of his head, slightly flustered. “Well, I guess I should leave you alone.” He pauses. “Oh, before I forget, Aden, you are coming for Mom’s birthday next weekend, are you? She is really expecting you.”

That fucker. He knows I won’t just turn him down when he asks me so openly in front of a whole group of people. I love my mother and do want to see her. Not even I can stay so cold-hearted and say no, when he brings her into the play and challenges me in front of my friends.

“I guess I will be coming,” I say calmly. “Just for dinner though.”

I can feel Noel’s hand on my leg. It feels warm and soothing, calming my nerves down a little. If only I knew how to handle my family, things would be so much easier. Well, Rome wasn’t built in a day either.

Oliver smiles, an expression of relief on his face. “I am so happy,” he says. “I will tell Mom immediately.”

Yeah, of course he will. So, I won’t be able to take it back.

“Well, I apologize for disrupting your meeting,” Oliver says with a smile. “I will take my leave. It was nice to meet you.”

“Have a nice evening,” Mateo says.

Lynn nods at him. “Bye, Oliver.”

When he has finally left, silence engulfs us again, until Sterling breaks it. “Interesting,” he mutters while he watches Oliver disappear into the crowd again.

“Not really,” Lynn says dryly. “He is my ex.”

“He and I aren’t really close,” I tell the group without going into detail. “I apologize, this must have been an awkward exchange to watch.”

“Make it double awkward because I was there too,” Lynn adds. “A drink, Aden?”

“Absolutely!”

Noel wraps his arms around my middle, snuggling against me again. I only realize now that he drew back earlier and didn’t touch me openly while I was talking to Oliver. I guess he didn’t want to embarrass me or out my relationship with him in front of my brother.

Lynn manages to organize a round of drinks for all of us. Only Noel sticks with a mocktail instead. He drinks very little. If he goes out and drinks at all, it’s only one glass of wine.

“Lynn, you really were with Aden’s brother?” Sterling asks curiously.