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I remembered my shock when I first saw the number of zeroes on that check, and even now, I couldn’t believe the amount sitting in my bank account. I hadn’t touched it, other than to pay rent and buy my sweeeeet guitar, but it was comforting to know there was money there if I needed it.
“Thanks, Dad, I appreciate the offer,” I said, and then wiped a bead of sweat from my brow. I hadn’t even realized I was sweating, but my nerves were starting to show.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Mom started to get up, but I put my hand on her arm.
“Actually, there’s something I need to talk to you and Dad about.”
“Oh?” She sank back down into the cushions, the skin between her brows creasing.
Dad must’ve heard the way my voice shook, because he shut off the computer screen and turned his chair to face me.
God. With both of them looking at me, waiting for me to speak, I had the urge to say never mind and bolt out of the room, back into the safety of the car. But then Viper’s face filled my mind. I wasn’t just doing this for me. I was doing this for us.
I sucked in a deep breath, and as I let it out slowly, I said, “Something else happened last night at the party, something personal, and it’s going to get out. I want to tell you both so you hear it from me and not from anyone else.”
Mom fingered the collar of her shirt, her face going slightly pale. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” I quickly assured her. “There’s just been a change that’s going to surprise you, and I’m not really sure how to say it.” I looked down at where I’d unconsciously twisted my fingers together. I forced them apart and wiped my hands on my pants again.
“You can tell us anything,” Dad said, his face already full of understanding, even though he had no idea what I was about to say.
“A few months ago, I met someone. I never expected to have feelings for them, but the more time we spent together, the more I found myself…”
“Falling for them?” my mom supplied, her color coming back now.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I thought it was only a fling, but last night…they told me they loved me. At the party, in front of everyone.”
Mom’s hand came up to her mouth as she gasped and Dad grinned.
“Soo, I guess we’re, uh, official now. Like officially dating,” I said.
Mom reached over to put her hand over mine. “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful. Why were you so scared to tell us?”
“Because…” Just do it. Tell them. “Because it’s a man. A bandmate of mine, actually. Viper.”
It was as if someone had pushed pause, because my parents didn’t move a muscle. No blinking, no eye twitching, nothing. They sat frozen, looking at me with blank expressions.
I felt like I needed to say something, anything, so I cleared my throat and continued. “I know this is unexpected—believe me, I was more surprised than anyone. I mean, I’ve never, you know. Dated a…guy. Or looked at one like that, really. But Viper, he’s…he’s…”
“Different?” Mom said, slowly coming out of her shock.
“In more ways than one. But once you get to know him, I swear you’ll fall in love with him too—”
“You’re in love with Viper?” Mom said. “And he’s…in love with you?”
I could feel the heat in my cheeks, but for once I didn’t care. “Yes. And yes.”
“Oh…” Mom began to finger the collar of her shirt again, her other hand still firmly on mine. “Okay.” She looked like she wanted to say more but couldn’t find the words, and then she looked at my dad. “Larry? Is there something you’d like to say?”
“Uh…” He seemed just as dumbstruck as Mom, and a little bit confused. I didn’t think I’d ever seen the two of them so quiet before, and if it hadn’t been such a serious topic, I might’ve laughed. “You’re happy with this…guy?” he finally said.
“I’ve never been happier in my life.” I couldn’t hold back the smile. Viper had flipped my world upside down, inside out, and had made me crazy half the time. But he’d also opened himself up to me and given over a heart that had been long closed off. “He’s amazing. You’ll see.”
My parents looked at each other, and a million words seemed to pass between them, none of which I understood, and then I saw Dad give an almost imperceptible nod before they both turned my way.
“You’ve definitely given us a shock this morning,” Dad said, running his hand through his short curls. “You always dated…well…girls.”
“I know.”
He tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Well, son, if you’re happy, then that’s all we want for you.”
