Page 98 of A Little Jaded
Hopefully.
The possibility is like a huge weight lifted from my shoulders.
Please let it be over.
Everett still drives me to and from work, and I still live under his parents’ roof. It’s strange. How comfortable we’ve gotten. I like it, though. The comfort. The routine. I was almost sad when Everett’s coach agreed to let him play at practice today. Apparently, the coach bought the whole “I don’t know who jumped me” line Everett fed him.
After their team physician checked Everett out and cleared him for playing, he’s been consumed with all things LAU. Well, and me. He’s been pretty consumed by me, too. My lips curve up at the memory of last night and the way he ate me out on the kitchen counter.
“Bo?” my dad prods. “How are things?”
I clear my throat and smile back at him. “Things are…really good, actually.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”Other than Everett having the shit kicked out of him, anyway, I silently add to myself.
“And you and the guy are doing well?” he prods.
“His name’s Everett,” I remind him, well aware I’ve already mentioned it a handful of times during this conversation alone. “And, yes. We’re doing really well.”
He quirks his brow. “Well enough for an introduction?”
“You really won’t quit, will you?” I humph.
He grabs the base of my chair and drags me to face him. “Where do you think you got your stubbornness from?”
I bite the inside of my cheek and stay quiet. Part of me wants to laugh at the man’s audacity. The other part wishes I could take it back. Their first meeting. That I could bring Everett to a family dinner without any prejudice. That I could trust my family to give him an actual chance instead of assuming Everett’s the one who hurt me and lumping him in with assholes like Drake when it couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Your brother’s coming into town for a concert at SeaBird,” my dad adds. “I want you to bring him.”
I open my mouth to find an excuse but close it quickly, knowing he won’t buy it. Not in the long run. Not when this is theotherquestion he can’t help bringing up every time I’m at work. Every time he sees Everett’s car parked in the front parking space. Every time he catches me climbing out of Everett’s car when I’m dropped off. Every time he asks about my love life or living situation, I have to dodge his questions instead of telling him the truth. My dad wants me to let him in again, and after months of pushing him away while he refuses to go anywhere, I have a feeling it’s the least I can do.
Chewing on the end of my pencil, I avoid my dad’s stare and mumble, “Not gonna let this go, are you?”
“Just trying to show I care while respecting your boundaries, Rainbow.”
My lips bunch on one side as I take in the crinkles around his eyes. He really is a good guy. One of the best.
Giving in, I exhale, “I’ll see what I can do.”
He nudges my chin up and smiles. “That’s my girl. Is he picking you up today?”
I shake my head. “His friend is.”
“And who is this friend?” he prods.
“His name is Griffin, and before you ask, no. You can’t meet him, either.”
Clutching his chest, my dad spins his swivel chair away like he’s been dealt a fatal blow. “Breaking my heart, Rainbow. Breaking my heart.”
“Sure I am,” I toss back at him without bothering to hide my grin or rolling eyes. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to finish this drawing in private.”
“You do know I’m your boss, right?” he challenges as I stand up and press my notepad to my chest.
My gaze flicks to the waiting area. “Your next client’s here.”
“Perfect. You can prep the stencil.” He snaps his fingers and points back to my chair. “Chop, chop.”