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“I’m fine mom. Better than safe.” I assure her with a grin, already eager to get off the phone.
Done with dinner, I’m ready for a six-foot-something dessert.
“Well, how was the rest of the trip? Did you girls cab it or bus it back from the station, and what happened to that big man you were hanging around with? I hope you didn’t hurt his feelings when it came time to go home…”
On and on she goes, and I just can’t find the words or even have the heart to tell her the truth right now.
I can’t lie either. Mom’s far too clever for that, so I limit myself to single words, vague answers.
“Is Suze there?” she finally asks, making my heart leap into my throat.
“Uh… No. Not right now,” I tell her, mindful I’m still not technically lying.
It does mean she hasn’t spoken to Suze yet, which is a good thing.
I don’t tell her I’m with Michael, but I don’t exactly tell her I’m not home either.
“How are things with you?” I finally get to ask, hoping it will get me out of the spotlight, but she goes quiet. Almost talking in a whisper when she finally does answer.
“I should’ve stayed at home,” she murmurs, making me feel bad for her but at the same time not too surprised.
My dad’s effect is generally anti-climactic. No matter how many promises he makes or how much he claims to have changed.
History always repeats sooner than later, and by my reckoning, he’s set a record this time around.
This is bad news though because it means mom might already be planning on heading back.
Something I don’t want. Not for me or even for Suze right now.
If I’m having fun here, I can only imagine that Suze isn’t wasting any time either.
As long as she’s not using my bed.
Gross.
Not my bed anymore though, so I guess she may as well have it.
A part of me, the old me still wants to smart over how close my mom and Suze have become. But something tells me now that Suze has found a romantic interest of her own and she might not be so eager to hang out with my mom.
I decide I have to call Suze next. I can’t risk having mom run about with second thought syndrome, calling us up again, or planning to come back right away.
Dammit, dad. Why couldn’t you have proved us all wrong and made a real change?
The thought of even beginning to try and explain things between Michael and me to my mom is too much.
I recall how sore Suzanna was about it all, and know for a fact that although my mom thinks Michaels’s a great guy, the shoe will be on the other foot once she finds out what we’ve done.
What I know Michael has planned for me.
For us both.
If I can just have a few days to get used to my new reality. I’ll tell her when I’m ready.
The thought is a pleasant one, but I know it doesn’t work like that.
I half expect mom to ask if I want to speak with my dad when I hear what sounds like him in the background, but she doesn’t.
Making a quick excuse to go, she hangs up. I guess now it’s my turn to worry about her.
“Everything alright?” Michael asks. Not turning until I tell him it’s fine.
He turns slowly, and taking a seat opposite, he makes a knowing face.
The face that tells me a thousand things without him having to say a word.
The face of a man who wants to tell both my parents all about us.
No secrets.
No hiding.
Just open, honest, and wholesome courting.
Probably like they had in the good old days.
Crap.
Chapter Twenty
Michael
I was going to keep my promise and go check on the beach where those punks were making a fuss. But overhearing Natasha’s phone call changes that.
I take a seat opposite her, studying her for a moment after making sure everything’s okay with her and her mom.
Then I have to ask her the obvious question. The one she keeps hinting at when it comes to herself.
“Are you ashamed of me, Natasha?” I ask, noticing her expression shift instantly.
“Of course not,” she says without hesitating.
Turning down the sides of my mouth, I nod.
I didn’t think she was.
“And you know I’m not ashamed of you, right?” I ask, just so we’re clear.
I watch her swallow hard because she knows where I’m going with all this.
“Michael…” she says, but I hold up my hand.
“I’m not ashamed of you at all Natasha. Yes, I’ll admit I’ll crush anyone who looks at you funny or disrespects you in any way. And I’m in no way ashamed to be seen with you.” I inform her calmly.
“So… why do you want to keep me a secret from your mom, from your family?” I ask.
