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“I don’t need you to take care of me.”
“That’s why I want to.” I leaned forward and kissed her, barely brushing my lips against hers. “For as long as this lasts, we’re a team. Okay?”
“Okay,” she murmured, dropping her forehead against mine. “I’m kind of freaking out.”
“Nothin’ to freak out about,” I promised her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “We’re two idiots that are too young to get married but are doin’ it anyway. End of story. People can say whatever they want. We’re a team now. What they say don’t matter.”
“Let’s go get this over with,” she said with a sigh, reaching up to place her palm against the side of my face as she kissed me gently. “If your dad says any rude shit to me I’m gonna junk punch him.”
I laughed as she climbed back into her seat. “That’s probably not your best idea,” I muttered as I pulled out of the parking lot.
It took us twenty minutes to get to my parents’ house, but it felt like five. By the time we pulled in, Heather’s knee was bouncing like a jackhammer and my palms were sweaty as fuck. I didn’t know how other people did it—got married even though they knew their family was going to freak the fuck out. Maybe it was different when you were in love and sure you were doing the right thing. I was sure I was doing the right thing, the best thing, but I was still nervous as fuck when I climbed out of the Nova and met Heather at the front of the car.
“Let’s do this,” she said, giving me a goofy smile as she grabbed my hand.
She’d been visibly anxious the entire day, but it was as if all of a sudden she’d tucked that anxiety away and she was full of confidence. She didn’t even falter when I ushered her inside the house and we found Molly and Will sitting in the living room with my parents. I hadn’t wanted to worry her more by letting her know I’d asked my brother to meet us there, too, but I was hoping his presence would keep things relatively calm. I’d been sort of counting on Rebel being in the room so my dad couldn’t lose it, but I didn’t see her anywhere.
“Hey, guys!” my mom said in surprise, flashing us a wide smile. “Why the hell isn’t anyone working today?”
“Dad told me to take the morning off,” I said, leading Heather farther into the room. “We just wanted to drop by and give you guys some news.”
My dad’s eyes narrowed and he sat forward while my mom and Molly looked at us in confusion. Will settled back in his seat like he was waiting for the show to start.
“We’re getting married,” Heather blurted with a smile. She lifted up her hand and flashed the tiniest diamond I’d ever seen in my life. Thank God she’d had something to put on her finger before we’d left her apartment, because I hadn’t even thought of it.
“You’re what?” my mom asked dubiously.
“We’re getting married,” I answered, looking at my dad. “This Friday.”
“Bullshit,” my dad said. He didn’t raise his voice, but Heather still stiffened at my side, her fingernails digging into my arm.
“We went and got our paperwork this mornin’,” I told him calmly. “It’s not bullshit.”
“You’re a child for fuck’s sake.”
“Legal in every state,” I retorted flatly.
“You think I don’t got enough on my plate?” he asked, rising to his feet.
“Asa,” my mom murmured, following him up.
“I thought we were done dealin’ with your bullshit,” he muttered. “Why the fuck did I buy you that house?”
“You didn’t buy my motherfuckin’ house,” I spat back, my skin heating with embarrassment. “You helped out with the down payment and I already fuckin’ paid you back!”
“Jesus Christ,” he muttered, scratching at his beard.
“We just came to let you know,” I said stiffly. “That’s it.”
“You just came to let us know that you’re marryin’ some cunt you barely know, and—” His words came to an abrupt stop when my fist met his teeth.
“Thomas!” my mom yelled.
Before anything else could happen, Will was stepping between us, shoving my dad backward. “Get outta here, Tommy,” he ordered. “Now.”
I shook my head and glanced back at Heather, who was pale and visibly shaking. “Come on, sugar,” I called softly, reaching out my hand.
Before I could take another breath, her fingers were clasped firmly in mine.
“I’m sorry, Ma,” I said as I pulled Heather against my side. “I told you I wasn’t gonna take anymore of that shit.”
“I know, baby,” Mom replied, her eyes filled with tears. “I’ll talk to him, okay? And I’ll help anyway you need it with the—” she stuttered to a stop. “With the wedding. If you want me to.”
“I have no idea what I’m doing, so that would be awesome,” Heather said with a small smile.
