Page 97 of All I Feel

Afterward, Tessa and I made our way downstairs. She was in the middle of scanning the refrigerator, deciding what to make, when my doorbell rang.

“Are you expecting someone?”

I shook my head. “No. But I wouldn’t put it past my sister to just show up here. She does that on occasion.”

Tessa returned her attention to the refrigerator. “Maybe I’ll be making breakfast for three this morning.”

“I’ll be right back.”

I turned and made my way to the front door, fully expecting my sister. But when I opened the door, nothing could’ve prepared me for who I saw.

My parents.

My mom stepped forward, wrapped her arms around me, and said, “Happy birthday, kiddo!”

Feeling stunned, I hugged her back. But my mind was racing.

Based on the look on my dad’s face, I got the feeling he sensed something was wrong, but he obviously had no clue what it was.

And when he learned the truth, there was no telling howhe’d respond. Tessa’s dad was his best friend. None of the parents knew that Tessa had been living with me for a week now.

Fuck.

My mom released her hold on me, and my dad hugged me next. “Happy birthday, Son.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Is this a bad time?” he asked.

I parted my lips to speak, but my mom beat me to it. “We’re here to take you out for breakfast. Since you were out with everyone last night, we didn’t want to intrude on your dinner and fun then. So, we figured we’d just come by today to celebrate with you this morning.”

“Are you free to go?” Dad asked.

Again, my mom cut me off. “Your aunt and uncle are going to be there. They’re already on the way.”

“My aunt and uncle?” I repeated. “You mean, Aunt Lexi and Uncle Cruz? Or Aunt Kendall and Uncle Logan?”

I prayed it was one of them.

“No. Although they all want to see you as well. We’re meeting your Aunt Monroe and Uncle Stone there.”

My stomach dropped. Fuck.

Before I could even think of what to say, my dad added, “Stone actually insisted on joining us this morning. He said he’s been meaning to talk to you about something, but he didn’t have time to explain it to me. Any idea what that’s about?”

“Yeah, um?—”

“Hey, handsome?” Tessa called. She wasn’t in view of the front door, but I could tell she was making her way here. “Do you think you and Lark could come join me in the kitchen again? I came up with some?—”

Tessa came to a stop several feet away and gasped. She tugged at the hem of my shirt she was wearing, even though all the important bits were already covered.

I looked at my parents. My dad’s head snapped in my direction. “I think I got the answer to my question.”

“Are you two…” My mom shifted her attention between the two of us. “How long has this been going on?”

“Oh, my God,” Tessa murmured, burying her face in her hands. “I’m mortified.”

Immediately, I moved to her, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and curled her into my chest. “It’s fine, Tessa.”