Page 80 of Lovestrung

They’d always been straight with me, and I owed them to be the same.

* * *

“Thank goodness you’re here,” Eliza caught my arms as I walked in the front door. “Your mum has been asking questions since she got here.” She tossed a thumb over her shoulder. “We’re all in the living room, trying to ignore the huge, pink elephant in the room.”

Alarmed at the frown between her eyebrows, I glanced to the living room and lowered my voice. “What kinds of questions?”

She took my overnight bag and shuffled it behind the low table next to the door. “Hugo let it slip that you’ve been spending some time with Ethan, so she’s been asking what you’ve been up to, if you’re seeing each other…” she blew out a breath. “Things like that.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, and your dad…he doesn’t look too happy about this at all. I’m sorry, lovely, but I didn’t know what to tell them.”

“Great,” I muttered. “It’s not your fault, so please don’t worry.” I looked into the mirror hanging on the wall. Thankfully, my lips weren’t swollen, but that didn’t stop me from wondering if my mom would notice something different about me.

Eliza hugged me from behind. “You look gorgeous like always. Don’t worry, nobody will be able to tell you’ve spent all week shagging a hot bloke.”

I snorted when she winked at me. “Thanks, doll.”

“You’ll be fine.” She grinned at me. “If it makes you feel better, your grandfather is looking like the cat who got the cream, so at least someone seems happy with your relationship status.”

I shook my head and turned around. “Right, let’s get this over with.”

Eliza fell into step beside me and warmed by her support, I squared my shoulders and went to the living room.

“Mama, Dad,” I greeted them, trying to ignore the unhappy frown my dad aimed my way from his place on the couch. Mama sat next to him and smiled at me.

“Baby girl, there you are.”

I went to her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “It’s lovely to see you.” I glanced at Dad, unnerved by the steely glint in his eyes and I averted my eyes. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around this week. Things have been a little…hectic.”

“Would you like a cup of tea?” Eliza asked. I almost laughed at her very British attempt of soothing me. But I doubted tea would do the trick this time and shook my head. I went to hug Gramps who sat in his wheelchair next to the love seat by the window. The smirk on his lips almost made me roll my eyes, but instead, I chose to ignore it.

“So, how’s Ethan?” Mama asked. “Hugo told us you’ve been spending a lot of time with him since you came home.”

I couldn’t ignore her curious stare, or the secretive way her lips tilted up at the corners when I blushed at her question. For the millionth time, I wished I was able to control my body’s reactions when it came to Ethan. Even though he wasn’t even in the same room as me, he had that effect on me.

Dang it.

I sat down next to Gramps, needing to put some distance to my parents. “He’s good. Busy, but good.”

“Not too busy to kidnap you for almost a week,” Dad grumbled.

“Dad!”

He shook his head as he stood up. “Don’t act as if we don’t know what’s going on between you two, sweetheart. We’re not that old – and we’re not blind, either.” He placed his hands on his hips and started to pace in front of me. “What I wanna know is, how long has it been going on?”

Before I could get a word in, Mama stood up.

“Henry, please…” She reached for his arm, making him stop his pacing. “We both know that Pen and Ethan have had a special connection since they met. This new development can’t come as a surprise, surely?”

He sighed. “But there’s so much she doesn’t know…”

“If you’re referring to what happened to his mom,” I interrupted and went to his side, “I do know.”

He blinked at me, the surprise in his eyes as clear as glass.

“That’s right,” I nodded, “I know, Dad. I know about his father abusing his mom and him. I know that he murdered his mom, and I know he’s been in prison ever since that horrible day.”

“How long have you known, baby girl?” Mama asked, her voice quiet.

“Only since last night.” I let go of my dad’s gaze and met hers instead. The compassion that I found soothed me, and I smiled. “He told me his story last night,” I soldiered on, “but even if he hadn’t, it wouldn’t matter. We’re…” I placed a hand on my stomach, trying to will the nervous butterflies away. “Well, I guess there’s no reason to keep it a secret. We’re dating, and that’s it.”