Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“We have to get Dad involved,” Dempsey says softly. “It’s the only way to keep you safe.”
“I actually agree with him,” Two chimes in. “I know you don’t want to, but he might be able to give us better insight into who’s doing this.”
My stomach twists. All my freedom will be gone. Dad will go into protective papa bear mode and I’ll be kept under lock and key. Not literally, but it won’t be good.
“I won’t get to see you,” I say, closing my eyes and nuzzling against Two’s solid chest. “Unless you meet them, which I know you don’t want to do.”
Two stiffens momentarily and then relaxes. “If it helps keep you safe, I’ll meet them. I can’t exactly say I’ll be happy about it, but if it’s what we need to do, then I’ll do it.”
“We are serious,” I mutter. “All this hiding and pretending is too much. I’m sorry I said it wasn’t earlier because it’s not true.”
I can feel Sloane’s and Dempsey’s eyes on my back, but I ignore them. Two strokes his fingers through my hair in a comforting gesture that does wonders for calming me down.
“We just had to start liking each other, Golden,” Two says dryly. “Really made a mess of things.”
Grinning, I squeeze him tight. “Nothing can be messier than the way you eat. I think we can handle this. Together.”
We stand on my front porch, hand in hand. I’ve yet to open the door and head inside because my gut keeps twisting with nerves. Mom was confused when I texted her that I was coming home with a guest and for her and Dad to be presentable. The whole drive from Dempsey and Sloane’s back home was fine, and I was feeling good about coming clean, but now that we’re here, I can’t seem to pull the trigger.
Will it get ugly?
My parents don’t even know I have a boyfriend. I’m not just going to drop that bomb on them but a few more for grins and giggles. Ugh. I really want to rewind tonight and erase this stupid idea.
“Let’s get it over with,” Two says, glancing down at me. “If I could handle your brother, I can handle your parents.”
It’s different, though.
Mom and Dad aren’t going to be eager to kick his ass. They’ll come in hard with their overprotective parent speeches, followed by new rules I’ll have to follow. My freedom to run off with Two at any time will screech to a stop.
“Will you be okay meeting…her?” I ask softly. “Because of…”
Because of the fact she’s responsible for your family’s pain?
“I’ll be okay,” Two vows.
Before I can chicken out, I step forward and open the door. The lights in the living room burn brightly and both of my parents are sitting on the love seat with glasses of wine. Dad’s expression is impassive and cool, but Mom’s eyebrows are at her hairline.
I guess they weren’t expecting a boy.
“Hey,” I chirp, feigning a carefreeness I don’t feel one bit. “I figured I’d come clean and introduce you to my boyfriend, Two.”
Dad rises from the love seat to extend a hand to Two. “Boyfriend, huh?”
Two shakes my father’s hand and then pulls back, not bothering to greet my mother at all.
“Yeah, it’s a long story,” I blurt out. “Come sit, Two.”
I guide him over to the couch and we both take a seat. My parents’ eyes bore into us. Dad finally sits, downs the rest of his wine, and sets it down on the end table with a loud clink.
“Long story,” Mom parrots, hurt shining in her eyes. “How long have you been together? I can’t believe you kept this from me.”
I’m really close to my mother. Sometimes it’s like having a built-in best friend. I hate the curdling feeling of shame in my belly.
“It just kind of happened,” I say, waving my hand in the air like it’s no big deal. “We met at school. He’s my partner.”
My parents exchange a quick look of panic, both of them no doubt calculating all the times I’ve been out gallivanting with my partner. I’m sure they’re imagining sordid details of things that didn’t happen.
Okay, well, some probably did.
“Me having a boyfriend isn’t the big deal here,” I tell them. “There’s more.”
Mom’s face pales. “You’re pregnant?”
Two snorts as if this is funny. The glower on Dad’s face says it isn’t.
“What? No. Mom, I’m still, uh, a you know…”
Virgin.
Don’t make me say it.
Both of my parents relax as though my virginity is something sacred that needs protecting at all costs. I can lose my virginity and be just fine. My life, though, that’s another story.
“Well,” Mom encourages, a practiced smile on her face. “What’s going on?”
“Two’s real name is Tristan Sheridan.”
Dad doesn’t seem to register the last name, but Mom’s eyes widen in immediate horror.