A couple of hours later I turn into the driveway of a light yellow house with Hispanic elements in the good suburbs of San Diego up in the hills with a beautiful view of the ocean.
Before I can even knock on the door Vic has already opened and pulled me in an embrace.

"Easy, so good to see you, I missed you." Like always he holds the hug really long until he feels me relax into it. He is one of the few people that know that although I act as if nothing can get to me, I do get really nervous when I am faced with new situations.
"Same, same" I smile back, the sad thoughts that surfaced during my drive still shadowing my mood.

"Easy, let go of this ugly duckling and greet the handsome Fuentes" I hear Mike call from the hallway and as usual I am hugged against his bare chest.

"Hi Mike, I had a great idea, you should totally make your own fashion label, what do you say?" I smile while Vic starts snickering behind his back.

Mike doesn't get the joke "you really think so, Easy?" His brother biting into his fist to suppress the laughter.

"I even have a name, I would call it 'Shirtless Clothing'. I grin.

"Hey can any shirt look better than this?" He asks pointing at his upper body. Now he has got the laughs on his side.

We sit down in their living room have a couple of beers and chat about what happened since we last met.

Then I go to the kitchen to start cooking for dinner.

"Mike, you go and pick up your girlfriend while I help Easy here" Vic suggests.

As soon as we are alone Vic holds me by the shoulders asking "Easy, what is wrong?"

"Look Vic, I want to talk to you, but not now. I have to prepare dinner and I am really nervous meeting the girlfriends, I am not good with girlfriends, they never seem to like me. Let's talk tomorrow, Okay?" I wipe my hands on my jeans nervously.

"Okay Sweety, and don't you worry about the girls, up to now I have never seen someone NOT liking you. It'll be fine." He shakes me lightly.

I had decided on an Australian-Asian fusion food and had brought a bag full of exotic spices. I did the meat and the fish separately as to give Tony and me the vegetarian option. About an hour later we had literally a table full of different dishes gathered around a huge bowl of rice.

The first ones to arrive were Jaime and his girlfriend. "Oh my god, what is this, that smells awesome" I could hear him shout from the door.
A moment later he was in the kitchen embracing me in one of his bone crushing hugs. "Angelito, you are the best, you have brought food? I missed you so much."
"Thanks Hime, missed you too." He introduces his girlfriend Jess and she hugs me as well saying "it feels like I already know you Easy, the boys have been talking so much about you." She is so nice and absolutely natural that I instantly like her.
"Oh please, Jess, don't even believe half of what they tell you. I will deny everything." I joke and we both giggle.

Next Mike comes back and greets everybody then brings his girlfriend into the kitchen to introduce us. "Easy, this is Alysha, my girlfriend" he stresses the word girlfriend and you can see how proud he is.
Alysha and I shake hands. She is.. Wow. She looks like a young pop-punk version of Marilyn Monroe and she is wearing a short dress with a Bart Simpson print. I adore her already.
"Wow" is all I can say "I love your dress"
"And I just love your nickname, I wish I had a cool name like that" she is funny and crazy and I think her and Mike fit perfectly.

"What do you think of her" Vic asks when we are alone in the kitchen getting the plates ready for dinner. "I always tease Mike that she is just a tattooed version of you" He giggles.
"Stop talking crap, Fuentes, this girl is gorgeous." I get really annoyed at him, he just walks out shaking his head smiling.

We are about to sit down for dinner when finally Tony arrives, I was worried he would not come because he didn't want to see me.
I feel awkward and stretch out my hand to greet him. He looks at me surprised and slaps away my hand to pull me into a huge hug.

"Hey don't you want to hug me anymore, little ninja turtle?" He whispers in my ear. I have to giggle at this. Then he introduces his girlfriend. "Easy, this is Erin."
I smile at her shaking her hand "Hi Erin, I am so pleased to meet you."
"Hi Easy, Tony has told me all about your adventures."
She is really sweet and nice and quiet. So much like Tony. I can't imagine how they can get along, don't they bore themselves to death? But what do I know, I have fucked up every one of my relationships so far.

We sit down at the table, as Vic and I are the only ones without a date we get to sit together. The boys dig into their food while the girls chat and nibble, I get complimented a lot for my cooking and it is a really pleasant evening.
I love talking to Vic because he is so nice and funny and I really enjoy myself.

When finally everybody has left, I am really tired and Vic sends me to bed, promising Mike and him will clean the kitchen for me.
"By the way, Easy, we have a video shoot tomorrow and I want you to come with us."

I am already halfway up the stairs and turn around. "Are you sure Vic, I don't want to be a bother, I don't mind being on my own tomorrow."

"Don't be ridiculous Easy, you are coming with us, we will be having fun." He smiles his toothy grin.

Notes