Page 250 of Power Play

“Do they know I’m your boyfriend?”

Her gaze dropped.

A bitter laugh left me. “Fuck, Charm.”

“It hasn’t come up like that.”

“You live with Aura.”

“She has her own problems.”

“You talk to Bliss every fucking day.”

“I wasn’t trying to hide it.”

“You weren’t trying very hard to say it either.”

Her face crumpled. “It’s just a word.”

“Then why can’t you use it?”

“I did use it.”

“With me and your parents.”

“I kissed you in front of your entire team.”

“I know, and that mattered.” My voice roughened. “It meant enough that I’ve been holding on to it every time this starts feeling like some private life you visit when nobody else needs you.”

“That isn’t what this is.”

“Then tell me what it is.”

“You’re my boyfriend.”

My jaw clenched. “Say it to them.”

“I will.”

“When?”

“Ryan.”

“That’s what I thought.”

She looked away, and I dragged both hands through my hair. “Do your parents know I’m coming to Thanksgiving?”

Silence filled the kitchen.

“Do they?”

“They know I’m seeing you.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

“They aren’t ready.”

“I don’t care.”