“It’s been great hanging out, but my boyfriend is home now, so I’m gonna need you to leave my house.”
“I’m eating.”
“Take them with you.” Mike moves toward the island, folding the chip bag closed and giving it to Damon. “Here you go. Safe travels. Miss you already.”
He looks at the chip bag. Then at Mike, then at me, his eyes narrowed, but he slides off the stool and pats me on the arm on the way out. “Good to have you back.”
When the door closes behind him, Mike pulls himself up onto the counter and looks at me with an expression I know all too well.
He opens his arms without saying anything, and I fall into him, his lips finding my ear. “We have lots of time to make up for. I’m thinking we start in the kitchen and then—”
“Actually,” I say, pulling back, already regretting it when his face falls. “I sort of promised Nate I’d help him move this weekend. And I would cancel if I could, but the last time I saw him, I was a total dick and—”
“Okay,” he interrupts, and I can already hear the dejected tone he gets every time I leave. “You don’t have to explain, I get it.”
“Mike—”
“No, it’s fine.” He nods, twisting the fabric of my shirt. “Go help Nate. I’ll be here when you get back.”
I look down at the top of his head because he won’t meet my eyes. Even if he doesn’t say it, I know I’m hurting him right now. I can’t do that anymore.
“Would you want to come with me?”
He looks up, his lips turned down in confusion, like he’s not sure he heard right. “What?”
“I think it’s time I properly introduced you,” I say with a shrug. “Don’t you?”
He stares, and stares, until I start to think that maybe I crossed a line. Maybe he’s not ready for that after what happened.
And then he gets down from the counter to jump into my arms.
I catch him, barely, his legs wrapping around my waist, his arms around my neck, and I stumble back into the counter while he’s vibrating in my arms.
“I love you so much,” he says, into my neck, squeezing hard enough that I can hardly breathe, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s only a weekend,” I say, even though I know how big a deal this really is.
He pulls back to look at my face, dropping his legs back down to the ground. His eyes are brighter than I’ve ever seen them when his hands cup either side of my face. “I get to see where you grew up, your childhood room—”
“It’s not that impressive.” I’m still smiling, I can’t stop. He’s looking at me like I just gave him the best gift he’s ever received, and it’s meeting my family.
“I’ve been waiting for this since October. Do you know how many times I’ve imagined meeting your brother? I have things prepared to say.”
“Please don’t have things prepared to say.”
“Oh!” He adds, pulling out of my arms, heading toward the living room. “I’m gonna need to bring the guitar!”
I lean back against the counter, thinking about seeing Nate this weekend, and the conversation that comes after. The one I’ve been afraid of for years.
“Alex!” Mike shouts from upstairs.
“What?”
“Does Iris like flowers? I feel like I should bring something.”
I lean my head back against the cabinet and smile. Maybe it won’t be so bad. Maybe I’m worried for nothing.
“Yeah,” I call back. “And don’t forget your homework!”
