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“Well, you’re a fucking doctor so it’s a given that they’ll love you.”
“And you’re what? Leeching off me?” I asked.
“No, but I’m in my twenties and don’t have the life experience or great jobs you two do.”
“You work at PJS for Perry Altair. Your boss is JJ Altair. That name holds a lot of weight with my family. Even if you didn’t, even if you still worked in JJ’s shop, that’s a hell of a respectable profession. Don’t put yourself down. My parents aren’t about titles and material possessions. They want Dex and me to thrive and be happy. Anything else is a bonus. And you two do make me happy.”
I could feel Val’s gaze burning into me. I didn’t need to turn to see him looking my way. “Then why the hell are you nervous?” he yelled.
“I already told you but also, they’re two important people in my life. I’d do anything for them. It’s the same with you two. I want everyone to get along. I don’t plan on letting you go anytime soon, so I want peace around me. I need it.” I worried so much as it was about the safety of those I cared about. I didn’t need to add my boyfriends not getting along with my parents to the list.
My thoughts were cut short as my parents’ home came into sight. I turned into their driveway. They didn’t live far from me and my brother. They were about fifteen minutes outside of the city. It gave them a short commute when they had to go in but also kept them out of the bustle.
“That’s their house?” Val asked with his mouth agape. “It’s a fucking mansion.”
I tried to look at it from his perspective. There were ten acres, which were cleared, with only trees near the property line to give them a bit of privacy. The house was a two-story Colonial with white siding and pale gray shutters. The front had columns along the length of it from the porch to the second story where there were more columns to hold the roof up, which extended over the balcony from one end to the other with a white railing along the edge. The windows had rounded peaks and the roof was one of the updated metal ones that matched the color of the shutters. A tall chimney stood at one end, reminding me of the many nights we’d sat with the fire roaring as we gathered together to play games or watch movies. A three-car attached garage was on one end, which I parked in front of one of the closed doors and shut off my car. The land went back a bit and when I looked, there were a few deer grazing near the tree line.
One of the garage doors was open, my dad’s eighty-one Toyota Land Cruiser sat in it. It was fully restored in a baby blue paint.
“Holy shit,” Val gasped and got out of the car first. I had to wonder if my dad left the door open on purpose. I told him how much Val loved to work on vehicles.
Corbin and I got out and stood together as Val went into the garage and reverently ran his hand over the bumper.
“This is an FJ40, Xaiden.”
“I know, baby.”
He paused and looked at me. A slow smile formed on his lips. It was the first time I’d used a term of endearment with him, but it felt right. I loved how excited he was to see the vehicle.
His eyes traced every detail. He even peered inside. “The fucking interior… It’s beautifully done.”
“I’m glad you like it,” came my dad’s voice. I hadn’t heard the door from the house to the garage open.
“Mr. Dremest,” Val greeted then wiped his hands on his shorts before offering his to my dad. “It’s nice to see you again.”
My dad shook Val’s hand then pulled him in for a quick hug. “No formalities. You can call me Jonathan. You like her?” He nodded toward the FJ.
“She’s gorgeous.”
“Do you want to take her for a spin?”
Val’s eyes bugged and his mouth dropped open again. “What?”
“I could use the fresh air. You drive.” He held out the keys for Val, who stared at them but didn’t take them.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Take the keys, Val,” I said.
He hesitantly reached out and took them from my dad before turning to us and mouthed, “Holy fuck.”
Corbin and I stood off to the side while Val backed the FJ out of the garage like he was going to break it. He’d backed countless vehicles out of the shop bays JJ had. We watched them head up the driveway and Val carefully turn it onto the road.
The sound of my mom’s shoes on the garage floor drew our attention. “Hey, Mom,” I said. “You remember Corbin.”
“Mrs. Dremest,” he greeted. “It’s lovely to see you again.”
“Corbin, I’m so glad the three of you could join us today. Please call me Barb.”
