ME: great.
I pull up outside the Gracelyn house, the engine humming softly as I park. I step out and walk towards the porch, running a hand through my hair. Then the front door swings open. And Noah steps out.
Shit. Guess I celebrated a little too early.
Noah steps off the porch, but slows when he spots me, coming to a stop a few feet away. He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Hey,” he says.
“Hey, man.” My voice cracks slightly, like I just hit puberty and I’m asking a girl out for the first time.
There’s a short pause where neither of us moves. I shove my hands into my pockets too, avoiding eye contact like an idiot.
“Alright, dude,” Noah starts. “Whatever’s going on between you and Mads—”
Here it is. This is where I die.
“—I trust both of you.”
I blink at him. “You… do?”
“Yeah,” he says it like it’s hard for him to say. “Do you actually like her?”
“Yeah,” I answer and immediately feel the guilt creeping in.
“Okay. Good.”
He turns to head down to the beach, but stops after two steps. “If you’re just screwing around with her, I’ll—”
“I’m not,” I cut in quickly. “I promise.”
Which isn’t technically a lie. I mean, I’m not screwing around with her. She agreed on the deal too.
Noah exhales slowly, pointing a finger at me. “Doesn’t mean I’m not keeping an eye on you.”
I nod once. “Expected nothing less.”
He steps past me, then pauses to clap a firm hand on my shoulder. “Don’t be late.”
“I won’t.”
He heads down the path toward the beach. I stay on the porch for another second longer than necessary, letting out a slow breath.
Then the front door opens again and I expect to see Maddy, but instead Luke steps out onto the porch.
Can I catch a fucking break tonight or what? Now Iamgonna die.
He spots me and pauses. “Ryan,” he says.
“Hey, Luke.”
I suddenly feel twelve years old again, standing in this exact same spot waiting to see if I’m in trouble.
He stops in front of me, his eyes unreadable. But after a couple seconds, he smiles. “I’m happy for you two.”
“Really?”
Are they both just chill about this?
“Of course.” He shrugs a little. “I know you’re a good guy. And I trust my daughter.”
