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Just then, there is a loud noise from the front door again. In typical Tyler fashion, he makes his presence known.
“Hello! The family favorite is in the house!” he shouts. Apparently, Kelsea is with him because I hear her say,“Oh, shut up,”in her usual little sister way. Jasper is here also because I hear him laugh. He’s always smiling. I’m not sure that kid is ever not laughing.
Drew rolls his eyes. Mom and Dad shake their heads. No one even comments on Tyler’s announcement because by now, we know better than to add fuel to the fire. I look around the room at my favorite people in the world. I feel happy and calm, calmer than I’ve felt in a while, then my eyes land on Abbey. She is watching everyone, an unreadable look on her face, and she turns her head until our eyes meet again. The calm I felt before gets lost in a storm of emotions that pass between us.
And all I can wonder is, how does she fit into this scenario?
Fourteen
ABBEY
The evening has gone better than I expected. If someone were to ask me, I’d say I’ve done an amazing job at hiding the uneasy feeling of being so near Parker.
Before tonight, it had been a week since I last saw him. The anticipation of seeing him and the possibility of awkwardness between us weighed on my mind. Turns out it was an unnecessary worry because we’ve barely said more than a few words to one another.
Of course, this is made possible by the constant chatter of every other member of the Nallen family. Parker was the only quiet one unless he was pulled into conversation by his family’s banter. As for me, I am an outsider looking in and have easily been able to remain an observer without ever once being made to feel like I don’t belong. It was a nice, easy feeling. At least until now.
Mrs. Nallen addresses me directly, “Abbey, how’s that sweet boyfriend of yours? What’s his name again?” Rosie had just taken a drink of water and nearly choked at her words. Drew reaches over and pats her gently on the back as he laughs, “Mom, Abbey doesn’t have a boyfriend. She doesn’t believe in them.” Tyler and Jasper both chuckle loudly.
A wide grin spreads across Parker’s sister Kelsea’s face as she defends me, “I don’t see that as funny. I think Abbey is smart.” I nod at her, conveying my thanks for her defense of me, even if I didn’t need it.
Mrs. Nallen rolls her eyes at her daughter. “Well, I thought the kind, young man at the engagement party was her boyfriend,” she explains as she looks over at me.
Rosie chimes in now that she’s stopped choking on her water. “Oh, Seb. Well, he is as close to a boyfriend as Abbey has ever come.” Parker noticeably flinches at this comment.
When I glance her way, Mrs. Nallen’s eyes are kind and sincere, as if she feels she has truly offended me. “I’m sorry I made an assumption, sweetie,” she offers her apology.
I want to make her feel better, and I feel the need to explain myself. Not just to her, but to Parker, to everyone, even though I can’t understand why my views on relationships would even matter to this family.
“It’s not that I don’t believe in them. . .” I begin but am stopped when Parker grunts from the other side of the room. Everyone looks over at him, and he just shrugs his shoulders and tries to busy himself with some of the dishes left on the counter. I try to ignore him, especially because everyone else has turned their attention back to me.
“As I was saying, it has nothing to do with what I believe. It’s more to do with the fact that I’m just not going to settle, and I’ve never found someone I can trust. I’ve never been sure I would even find someone I could trust.” I see Drew’s eyebrow shoot up, and I wonder if he caught onto the fact I saidwouldand notwill. Surely he didn’t, so I continue, “As for Sebastian, he’s definitely not my boyfriend. We tried that a long time ago, sort of. We just figured out we are better as friends than boyfriend and girlfriend, that’s all.”
Mrs. Nallen smiles again, “Well, good friends are important in life.”
“Why hasn’t anyone asked Jasper about his girlfriend?” Tyler questions loudly, and that ends the Abbey interrogation.
“What?” Kelsea gasps and looks at her brother, who is now bright red and punching Tyler in his arm.
Drew starts laughing, “Tyler, why do you always have to start shiiii…stuff?” He quickly corrects himself when his father smacks him on the back of his head. I look over at Parker, and a small smirk plays across his lips as he’s shaking his head.
“Cora is not my girlfriend!” Jasper shouts, and he slides his chair back.
I’m not sure who Cora is, but from the look of elation on Mrs. Nallen’s face, it is someone she knows and approves of for her son. “Oh, how adorable, Jasper! I love her! She has always been so sweet! Is this true?” Her excitement pours from each word.
This causes Kelsea to start cackling right along with Drew and Tyler before she announces, “There is no way Cora would give Jasper the time of day, so he definitely doesn’t have a girlfriend if you’re talking about her!”
“You mean Cora Taylor from next door?” Mr. Nallen asks, seemingly confused by the turn in the conversation.
“Mom! Cora is not my girlfriend. She’s been our friend for our entire lives,” he tries to convince her, but as I listen, I’m not sure if it’s for his mom’s benefit or his own. Jasper turns back to Tyler, “Seriously, dude. I’m going to kick your asss…sets,” he says, side-eyeing his parents.
Tyler just smirks. “Whatever you say, bro. What. Ever. You. Say.” Jasper jabs Tyler in his arm again.
This time everyone laughs, including Parker. There is something special about this family. It always feels so good to be with them. A twinge of jealousy burns in my belly as I think about the fact Rosie will be a part of this for the rest of her life.
I’ve never had this kind of acceptance and love. I never believed it even existed until now.
• • •
