He grins at her phrasing. “Yeah.”
“My goodness,” she murmurs.
I think back to when Blake told me that his parents found out about his secret account but were okay with it. I knew they would be—they’re lovely people, and nothing in the world would change how they felt about their son. They love him no matter what.
She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Blake, this is insane. We can’t accept this money from you. It’s too much.”
“It’s not, Mom. You and Dad sacrificed so much for me so I could play hockey. I get to live out my dream because of you guys. Let me do this for you.”
Her big blue eyes fill with tears. “Oh, honey. I just can’t believe this. You’re so generous.”
“I learn from you guys.”
She sniffles and smiles. “Your father is going to be so surprised. And touched. This is so thoughtful of you.”
“Surprised about what?” Blake’s dad says off-screen.
His mom looks off to the side. “Blake just sent us enough money to pay off our house.”
“What?” his dad shouts.
His mom hands him the phone. “Blake, are you kidding me?”
Blake beams. “Not kidding, Dad.”
His dad sputters for a few seconds before trying to deny the gift, but Blake won’t let him.
“The money is yours and Mom’s. Pay off the house. Please?”
Blake’s dad’s eyes go teary for a second. My chest aches at the emotion in his gaze as he looks at his son.
He sniffles. “Buddy, you’re something else, you know that?”
His mom talks excitedly about how good it will feel to be debt-free after paying off their house.
“You know, Blake, I saw a few ladies at work on their phones looking at your account on social media,” his dad says. “I was going to tell them that it was my account. Since we look so much alike.”
His dad chuckles right as his mom steps into frame and rolls her eyes. “Oh, Jerry. You’re delusional.”
He kisses her cheek. “Oh, come on. I’ve still got a six-pack. It’s underneath a bit of insulation, but those abs are still there. I can feel them.”
I cover my mouth as I laugh. Blake rolls his eyes as he chuckles.
“Love you guys,” he says.
“We love you, buddy.”
“Love you, honey.”
They hang up. I wrap my arms around Blake, my chest warm. “You’re the best son ever.”
“I have the best parents.” He kisses me. “And the best girlfriend.”
I smile against his mouth. “We need to get going. I don’t want to miss dinner.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, we walk into Blake’s house. When I see the banner hanging in their living room, I’m smiling so hard, my cheeks ache.
