Eddie's legs were like jelly. As Rosie steered him after her mother and sister-in-law, he figured he'd rather fist-fight Vecna than face a disgruntled father. Yet here he was, approaching the beast.

At least there would be witnesses if he murdered him.

There were five men standing around a marble island in the middle of the room, four turned to smile. One did not. Rosie's father was a few inches shorter than him, but his presence made him seem huge. He was slim, with a gaunt face and neatly-brushed white hair. He wore boots, jeans, and a striped shirt fitted with a bolo tie. His moustache twitched when he spotted Eddie.

"Dad. This is Eddie." Rosie had already let go of him, swaying anxiously between them.

At least her father stuck out his hand. "Jack McKinley."

"E-E-Eddie Munson, Sir." He wiped the moisture off his palm before shaking. The man's grip was firm, but not painful. He also let go fairly quickly. "I...uh...I got you..."

"That a Bushmills?"

"Yessir."

He took the box and opened it to examine the bottle. "Vintage. That's expensive. Thank you."

Rosie beamed. Her father had already strode over to the counter to read the label, pulling a pair of reading glasses out of his front pocket. Yes.

Seeing her mouth that sent the heaviness fluttering away from Eddie's chest. He'd won the first battle, but he couldn't take off his armor just yet.

Encouraged by their little victory, Rosie proceeded. "This is my eldest brother, Rob."

Rob was huge. Yet somehow far less intimidating than his old man. Six foot four, broad, curly black hair and a black handlebar moustache. He looked like a violent biker, but grinned like a friend. No wonder Rosie had taken to Murphy so quickly.

"Great to meet you, Man." He slapped Eddie on the shoulder as he took his hand. "Heard so much about you. I believe you already met my wife."

Michelle blew a kiss across the kitchen.

"Yeah. Yeah I did." Eddie answered breathlessly.

"...And that's Luke."

If Rosie's eldest brother look like he could crush him, this one looked like he'd provide the insurance.

"Nice to meet you."

"That's Pete, my sister's fiance, and his best man Kevin."

The other two men raised glasses. Rosie got him a beer from the fridge and had to open it for him, his hands were trembling so bad. It gave her an excuse to get close and whisper:

"I'm just in the living room with the ladies."

"No!" Eddie felt the ground swept out from under him.

"It's fine."

"You can't -"

"My brother is nice. Rob. Talk to him."

"But!"

"You can't sit with the women."

"Why not!"

"I'll come check on you."

She walked away, leaving Eddie stranded and clinging to the island. Her father was looking at him, so he tried a smile. The man just turned and started talking to the groom.

"Don't sweat it." Rob muttered.

"Sorry?"

"If Pete got in, so can you."

"R-right."

"How was the drive?" Luke offered.

"Bet you sweated like a pig. What do you drive?"

"Beat-up old van."

"A van?" Luke grimaced sympathetically. "Tell me it at least as AC."

"Barely."

"And you made it in a day?"

"Barely."

Her brothers laughed. Eddie laughed. He was sweating like a pig again. When he turned, her father was staring at him. He went from a pig to a worm on a hook. Attempted another grin. Stare.

"So... what do you do, Eddie?" Rob. Rob was the nice one. Right now he was focused on rescuing him.

Jack McKinley's eyes were grey. Not dark, or tinged with blue like some. Colorless, cold grey. They pinned him as Eddie floundered next to the island.

"I-I work in a bar, most days. The Hideout." That didn't impress anyone, least of all Jack. "...I'm also in a band?"

Why'd it come out like a question? Eddie took a deep breath. Her brothers were smiling, so he focused on that. Took a sip of beer to act casual.

"A band?" Rob repeated. "What's the name?"

Corroded Coffin. "We're working on that."

"What do you play?" Asked Luke.

"Guitar."

Huff from behind. Jack McKinley cocked an eyebrow at his sons. "Another guitarist."

What did that mean? He looked to her brothers for help.

"Do you have it?" Luke continued.

"Not with me, no."

"I've a Fender in the den if you wanna try it?"

"Plenty more on the wall." Pete offered. "You play electric or acoustic?"

"Both but I prefer electric."

"What's yours?" Rob queried.

"B.C. Rich."

"What model?"

"Warlock."

"Nice."

"All this talk about what he plays and no-one asking if he's a good player." Eddie jumped as Rosie's dad cut in. For the first time since he'd entered, the old man offered a smile and jerked his chin at him.

"...I'm pretty good."

"We'll have to hear it."

"How're they doing?" Lilah asked as she sat down.

Rosie gave her a thumbs up. "So far so good."

"Should you really be leaving him alone?" Her mother craned her neck to look into the kitchen. "Poor boy's scared shitless."

"He'll survive. I feel like it'd look worse with me there propping him up."

"Still..."

"I'm so glad to be past that." Her sister said. "Remember poor Pete the first time? The dining room chair?"

Rosie gasped. "Was that the first time he met Dad?"

"Yep."

"Ooooh if that happens to Eddie he'll run back to Hawkins."

Michelle snorted. "I'm just remembering. He went right through it."

"The legs just went out from under him!" Lilah tittered.

"When he met your father?" Mariana, Luke's wife interjected, holding her swollen belly to lean in.

"Uh-huh. He wouldn't come back for months after."

"Then your dad brought it up at the engagement party!"

"If he mentions it tomorrow, Pete might just faint on the spot."

Rosie suggested: "At least if he does it again it'll take some of the heat off Eddie!"

They cackled. When she finished her wine, her mother tapped her on the shoulder. "Go check on him, Ro."

"I am! I am!" She padded carefully across the foyer to the door, standing to one side to listen in. Was that a laugh? The boys were laughing. Always a good sign. Rosie snuck in to find Rob in the middle of one of his anecdotes. It sounded like the time he flipped a tractor in high school. Eddie was clearly impressed, then delighted when he spotted her. "Another beer?"

"Yeah, sure."

"You won't try from the keg?" Pete urged. "It's smooth."

Eddie eyed the Guinness warily. "Maybe later."

"There's no hurry, Pete."

"You just want the whole drum to yourself, Dad."

"Rude."

Rosie stuck out her tongue and handed Eddie his drink, then poured her wine into a paper cup. "Eddie wanted to see the horses, Pete."

"Oh yeah. Don't touch Bonnie, though."

"We won't!"

"I don't -"

"Ssshh!"

Eddie scowled as she nudged him out. "Rosie! I was just making progress with your dad!"

"I saw. Very impressive." She took his hand. "It's my turn, now."