Chapter 2 - Don

The downside of living so far from my family in Texas is that I have to spend Hanukkah alone. The bright side is that Hanukkah happens during the same week as Christmas, so I’m off work for winter break.

“You should fly home for Hanukkah, sweetheart. I miss you. And your brothers would all be happy to see you. You haven’t even met your newest nephew.” Mom was laying the guilt on thick, leveraging baby Griffin like that.

“Mom, don’t pull that on me. You know I’m the kid who’s immune to your guilt.” I shook my head as I tried to focus on planning out the spring curriculum for my class. 

I know people don’t think there’s much to being a shop teacher, but it’s still hard work, and I’m trying to teach these kids some skills that will help them in real life, like fixing things around the house.

“It’s not guilt. Is it so wrong that I miss my firstborn? You haven’t been home in four years.” Mom sighed.

“I don’t even know why you took that job in Boston. There are plenty of jobs closer to home. Just because of that Jennifer…” Mom started a rant I’ve heard more times than I can count since I moved.

“I gotta go, mom. I’ll call you later.” I know it’s a bitch move. But I hustled her off the phone, hanging up with a groan.

I heard a snicker from the doorway as I banged my head on my desk. It wasn’t a student’s laugh, so I figured I was safe. I turned my head and narrowed my eyes at Darius Frost. 

I have nothing against Darius. He’s a good guy. We get along, and he trusts me since I think I’m the only person here who knows he and his brothers are married to the same woman. 

Darius’s family seems happy, and they have four of the most adorable kids. It’s weird, but whatever works for them. So I’m not going to judge. 

“Is talking to your mom that bad?” Darius arched a blonde brow as he folded his arms

“No… yes. Both. Who knows. Does your mom ever guilt trip you on shit?” I sighed, sitting up.

“Sometimes. I don’t give my mom much reason, but she’s not above wielding that guilt.” Darius shrugged.

“I guess she doesn’t have as much a reason since you still live nearby, are married, and have kids.” I sighed, running a hand over my face.

Darius and his brothers have what my brothers have and what my mother wants for me. A wife and kids. And that works for them. It just didn’t work for me.

“Ah. So your mom wants you to have settled down and given her grandkids.” Darius nodded.

“Yeah, pretty much. And preferably with a nice Jewish girl from Austin, so I would move back home.” I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, that must be rough. Probably good for our buddy Collin that his mom wasn’t insistent on a Jewish daughter-in-law. Cause Riko’s best friend Cassidy is not even religious.” Darius chuckled.

“Yeah, well, there’s a bit more to my mom’s insistence but whatever. She gets this way every Hanukkah and any holiday I’m not there for.” I sighed.

“But flying to Austin isn’t cheap, and while I love my family, I don’t need to spend over a week with them having my three brother’s perfect families shoved in my face.” I groaned, rubbing my hand over my face.

“Well, shit. Maybe I shouldn’t have stopped by.” Darius grimaced.

I furrowed my brow and looked at him. What does Darius coming by my office have to do with my brothers and their picture-perfect families?

Then a thought hit me. Crap.

“Darius, don’t worry. Your family is different from dealing with my brothers and their picture-perfect families. While you and your family are great, you aren’t throwing it in my face.” I assured.

“Sure, it’s a bit sickening at times how weirdly Hallmark movie your family is. It doesn’t get to me. I’m the oldest who’s still single, and they never let me forget it. Ever watch that Stepbrothers movie?” I sighed.

“Stepbrothers movie?” Darius wrinkled his nose.

“Oh, that Will Ferrel and John C Riley flick. Not my cup of tea. But I’ve seen parts of it cause our friend Collin likes those movies. What about it?” Darius cocked his head.

“Fair. Minus, I have a job and live on my own. I’m the John C Riley character, and my younger brothers are the Adam Scott character. The perfect sons with perfect families my parents love bragging about.” I explained.

“Huh, okay. But didn’t the Adam Scott character’s wife try to fuck John C Riley?” Darius arched an eyebrow.

“Well, I mean, I did fuck my sister-in-law Connie. But that was when we were in high school and before she started dating Michael.” I rolled my eyes.

“Let me guess, Michael throws his perfect family in your face the most?” Darius chuckled.

“Actually… yeah, when I think about it, he does. He’s always thrown it in my face from the first day he brought Connie to our parents and introduced her as his girlfriend. He’s been a smug prick about it.” I frowned.

“Sounds like Michael is a petty and insecure little shithead. If you wanted Connie, you’d have had her instead of him.” Darius scoffed.

I chuckled because Darius is a good guy. I don’t think I’ve made a friend like him since moving to Boston. So I appreciate having some level of support. I trust this guy would have my back if I needed him.

“Anyway, what did you stop by for? I doubt it was to talk about my annoying family.” I shook my head, looking to change the subject.

“Fair point. But know you can vent to me if you want.” He assured me.

“As for why I came by. We are planning to meet up with some friends during the break. I think it’s the first night of Hanukkah, so I’ll understand if you can come. But we are going to the holiday lights at the waterfront with the kids. You’re welcome to join us.” Darius explained.

I furrowed my brow thinking about the offer. I don’t have a family to celebrate with. So honestly, I was going to light my menorah and eat a bagel or something cause it’s not like I’m going to make a big meal.

So I honestly have no reason not to go. It’s better to be among friends than alone. I won’t get more renovations done to my house. It’ll be alright. I have the rest of the break to work on my house.

“You know what, fuck it. Sure. I’ll be there. I’ll swing by after I at least light my menorah.” I nodded.

“Awesome. See you there then. I’m sure you’ll find our group. Just look for the biggest, loudest, and probably tallest since my cousins are coming.” Darius laughed.

“Tallest? I mean, you and your brothers are pretty tall.” I pointed out.

“Yeah, but our cousins Clay and Reese are taller. You’ll see for yourself. Now I better go. I have to pick up diapers and milk on my way home.” Darius shrugged before ducking out of my classroom.

I wasn’t sure what I was in for a few nights later when I arrived at the waterfront park. The place was packed, but just like Darius said, finding their group was straightforward. They were a large and rowdy group. 

Wait, the wrong kind of rowdy. It sounds like there’s going to be a fight. I weaved through the crowd, following the trio of towheads visible above the masses, knowing it was the Frosts. 

Oh yeah, this looks like a shit show in the making. The brothers were all in defense mode, and Riko looked worried, kneeling by their eldest Hikari. I groaned internally when I saw the troublemaker.

“It’s okay, Hikari. Tell us what happened,” Riko gently encouraged Hikari

“We were all playing. And then he….” Hikari pointed to the little boy trying to go for an Oscar with his crocodile tears.

“Called our family freaks because I have three daddies. And called mommy a bad word. So I hit him and told him to shut up and that he’s a bad person,” Hikari confessed.

One glance at the triplets, I read the crime scene coming. Forrest and Darius looked like they might explode.

“A bad word? Is it a bad word you’ve heard us say?” Elijah asked. 

Hikari shook his head. 

“Is it a bad word that Granny Yūri might say?” He asked. 

Hikari nodded. I’ve never met their grandmother-in-law. But I’ve read the Chasing Kitsune webcomic based on her life, and damn yeah, if it’s a word Kitsune would say, it was a bad word.

“It’s what my mommy called her, so it’s true. Not my fault, your mommy a slut,” the boy shouted, getting to his feet.

“The hell? You talk that way in front of your kid? You teach him words like that?” Darius was starting to lose it.

“And who are you to pass judgment on our family? You don’t know anything about us,” Forrest growled.

“I know she’s here with several children, and I’ve heard them call each of you daddy. That’s enough to know your mail order bride is a slut,” Joanie Walker scoffed.

Oh, that’s about enough of this. The Frosts don’t know Joanie, but I sure do. And people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Time to make myself useful.

“Joanie Walker, should you be calling other people names?” I spoke up, entering the scene

Joanie’s eyes went wide as she recognized me, mouth hanging open. Oh, did she realize I can and will air all her dirty laundry? The Frost family are my only friends in this damn city. So I’ll defend them like family. 

“D…Donald Hunter,” Joanie’s eyes narrowed with hate. 

“You know the old saying, those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. And the religious one about letting he who is without sin throw the first stone. I suggest you back off, my friends.” I folded my arms.

“You know them?” Joanie wrinkled her nose. 

“You know this woman?” Darius questioned.

“This is the Frost family,” I stated, emphasizing their name. 

I saw the fear in Joanie’s eyes. She knows that name. When some of her shit landed her in court, a lawyer from that firm shut her down.

“Yes, that Frost family. So move along and mind your own business.” I waved a hand. 

“That was impressive,” A voice I didn’t recognize commented. 

I turned to see the newcomer, and holy shit, I have never, I mean, NEVER seen a woman more gorgeous than this one that towered over me. She embodied a Greek A****n, that perfect balance of beauty and strength.

She was a vision dressed in black ankle boots, her long legs in black leggings that hug every perfect curve, a red sweater dress hitting her knees peeking out from her white pea coat that was almost the same length.

I can’t remember the last time I came across a woman this good-looking. Thick wavy dark brown hair left down, full kissable lips, and ice cold blue eyes that should have clicked who she was. My brain was currently mush looking at her.

I didn’t notice that Joanie narrowed her eyes, picked her kid up, and walked away in a huff. Hell, I didn’t even hear Darius questioning me. Nothing else mattered but her.

“Thanks… and you are?” I questioned once my brain functioned enough to form a sentence. 

The Goddess arched an eyebrow at me. I’m just praying it’s an eyebrow of interest rather than an eyebrow asking why I should know her name. 

“Reese Nikolaidis, the boys’ cousin. And you?” she smirked, assessing me.

I know better than anyone that right now that I’m no catch. I’m bald, not that Reese can tell under my knit cap, and out of shape, again, not that she can probably tell under my heavy pea coat. But once upon a time, when I was a young man, I was considered attractive.

“Don Hunter. I work with Darius at the school,” I smiled up at her.

“Darius didn’t mention having a gorgeous cousin in the area,” I added. 

“Um, Don…” Darius started to speak.

“I only recently moved to this area. I was living in the Bronx before this. Plus, as far as my cousins are concerned, the only gorgeous woman in the world is their wife,” Reese shrugged.

“Don. Reese,” Forrest tried to interrupt, but neither of us was giving the Frost family a moment’s notice.