Page 89 of Breaking Free
I remove my feet from the coffee table and plant them on the floor, shifting to face him. “You want me to meet your parents?”
“Is that weird? I’ve met your mom.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s not weird at all. I guess I just wasn’t expecting that. My mom was actually asking if you were gonna come to our house,” I say with a laugh.
“Oh really?”
“Think we can eat two Thanksgiving dinners?”
He grins. “I think we can manage.”
“So a holiday with the parents. Are we growing up?”
With a snort, he says, “I hope not.”
* * *
Thanksgiving day arrivesand the knots in my stomach make me feel like I won’t be able to eat anything at all. I’m not nervous about him coming to eat with me and my mom. We’ve all been together on a few occasions, but meeting his parents is another story. I’ve never met someone’s parents before. What if they don’t like me? What if they’re not really okay with their son being gay? So manywhat ifs.
The plan is to eat here at my place with my mom first since she gets up hella early to start cooking and the food will be ready by noon. His parents plan to have food ready around six.
“When’s he gonna be here?” Mom asks from her place in front of the stove.
“He texted me before he left, so probably soon. You need any help with anything?”
“Can you set the table?”
I get the plates and glasses and put them around our four person table, leaving what was usually my dad’s place empty. When I enter the kitchen again for silverware, Mom stops me by placing a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m really happy you have someone.”
I smile. “Me too, Mom. I really like him.”
She playfully smacks me as she goes back to cooking. “I can tell. You seem happier.”
“How are you doing?” I ask.
“You know? I’m okay. I had a minor breakdown this morning, because I’m used to your dad complaining about me getting up early and waking him up, but also requesting I make him a lemon cake.” She takes a breath. “But then I remembered how he was the only one who ate that nasty cake, and now I can make any cake I want. So I’m making strawberry cake.” She gives me a small grin. “Grief comes and goes, like waves, you know? Sometimes it’s not so bad and easy to tread, other times it feels like the waves are crashing over my head and trying to drown me. Either way, I wake up a little happier, and now that I secured the job with Mr. Anderson I’m feeling pretty good.”
Dex came through and got his dad to hire my mom. She’s a little more carefree now that she doesn’t have to stress about job interviews or worry she’ll never have a paycheck again. Dex’s dad pays well, but it definitely comes with long hours. Mom hasn’t worked there long, but she hasn’t complained yet.
I kiss the top of her head right before the doorbell rings.
“Food’s almost ready,” she says as I make my way to the door.
When I open it up, Trevor’s on the porch with his back toward me. He’s wearing a pair of khaki-colored chinos that make his ass look fantastic. When he spins around with a smile on his face, I take in the light green button up shirt that highlights his eyes, and the way it fits him like it was tailor made for him only.
“Wow. You’re making me feel completely underdressed.” I lean to kiss him and whisper, “And beyond turned on.”
He chuckles. “You look good. What’re you talking about?”
I glance down at my jeans and T-shirt. “Right. Well, I’m definitely changing before we go to your parents house.”
When we step inside, Mom pops around the corner. “Hey, Trevor. Wow, you look good. Food’s almost ready, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
It doesn’t take long before we’re all seated around the table, eating and talking.