Page 89 of Reckless Love
“Your parents have never really liked me, have they?”
My mouth fell open. “Rhodes, they love you!”
“I know they think I’m fun and a good athlete. Your mom laughs her head off at the things I say and your dad is a huge football fan, so I know they’re fond of me.” His eyes cut over to mine before looking down again. “But they don’tapproveof me.”
I sighed. “They might not approve of all that you do…your lifestyle…but they love you.”
“Because they know I drink occasionally and am not always at church on a Sunday morning?”
I nudged his shoulder with mine. “I think all the women might have something to do with it too.”
“But it’s not like I’ve ever sat down with them andtalked about any women that I’ve ever slept with. Have you talked with them about the men you’ve slept with?”
My face heated and my palms started to sweat, just talking about this subject with him. “No. But your life is out there in the news for public consumption.”
“And often exaggerated or not true at all,” he added.
I lifted my eyebrows and shrugged. “It’s a luxury I have, living in Denver and not having reporters following my every move. My relationships are private. My parents have rarely met anyone I’ve dated and they assume I’m sad and single and just work all the time…which isn’t completely wrong.” I laughed, but he didn’t join in.
“It makes me sad that you can’t show exactly who you are to them.”
“I could…I just don’t want to live with the fallout.”
“The fact that there would be a fallout at all is sad.” He sighed and looked at me again, his expression apprehensive.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“Promise that you’ll only move to Silver Hills because you really want to…and that you won’t date this guy Bernard just because your parents are pushing it.”
I nodded. “I promise.”
His parents had a huge feast prepared by the time we got there and we had such a nice weekend.
But there was a seriousness to Rhodes the whole time. Even his parents kept asking if he was okay and he said he was, but the sadness never lifted. When we said goodbye at the airport, I put my hands on his cheeks.
“Are you really okay?” I asked.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been a dud. There’s a lot on my mind. I’m tired, I don’t see you or my parents enough, and when we’re together, I’m already thinking about how much I’m going to miss you when you leave.”
“I know. I hate that we live so far apart.”
“While you’re trying to figure out what to do next, you could always come to Miami.”
I hugged him, letting his arms around me feel like enough. “I’m glad you love me enough to keep asking.”
“It will always be an option.”
I pulled back and took the handle of my carry-on from him. “Love you.”
“I love you, Elle.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
EIGHTIES HAIR
ELLE
Now