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Fuck me.He’s right and he knows it.
We grab our bags and make sure Athelia isn’t carrying a single thing as we approach the front door. She warned us that her parents are traditionalists. We’re already on shaky ground considering there’s three of us. I don’t want to deal with drama or lectures or empty threats from her dad, so I figure it’s best if we start this out on the right foot.
Athelia is pulling out her key to the front door when it opens. Her mom stands on the other side of the storm door with a wide smile on her face. She’s a small woman—a similar size to Athelia—with the same dark brown hair as her daughter.
“You’re here,” she cheers. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much, honey.”
The second the storm door is open, Mrs. Harper pulls Athelia into a long, firm hug. Athelia returns it with enthusiasm, which I think is sweet. I don’t have a bad relationship with my parents, but it’s not this good.
“Mom, these are my…” Athelia pauses, and I realize probably at the same time as her that we’ve never given each other labels.
Except one, that is—that she’s ours.
“Boyfriends,” Cal finishes with a chuckle. “I’m Calidore Graham, but everyone calls me Cal.”
We all introduce each other while Athelia watches silently.
“You can all call me Ruth,” Mrs. Harper says. “My husband Bill isn’t here right now—he’s still at work—but he’s excited to meet you all.”
The house is exactly what I expected. Large windows, traditional decor, and a brand-new kitchen that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine. It’s similar to my parents’ house, just a little bigger.
“Athelia can show you to your rooms,” Ruth says. “I’m almost done with dinner. I’m sure you boys are hungry.”
There’s a rumble of agreement from us. I’m expecting Athelia to make a witty comment to her mother about also being hungry, but she doesn’t. In fact, she’s been oddly quiet since we got here.
She leads us upstairs while Ruth stays in the kitchen. There are two guest rooms, which seems like overkill, but maybe Athelia has a lot of family. Wes and I immediately decide to share one so Cal can get the best sleep possible—it works well since one of the rooms has two twin beds in it.
“You’re sure none of us can sleep with you?” I ask coyly, already knowing the answer.
Athelia elbows me in the ribs. “I’d prefer for my dad to not murder you in your sleep. According to my parents, I’m still a sweet, innocent virgin.”
Wes snorts. “I think they know better, Thelia.”
“Well, I certainly haven’t told them anything about my sex life, and I plan to keep it that way.”
Cal laughs. “Whatever. I’m still planning on sneaking into your room one night.”
“Guys,” Athelia groans. “I need you all to be on your best behavior.Betterthan your best behavior. My parents can be a little judgmental, and I don’t want to deal with all their opinions.”
“I’mjoking,”Cal says, but I don’t believe him, especially when he pulls her into a hug and winks at me over her shoulder.
“I want to see your room,” I say after I set my bag down next to my bed.
Athelia narrows her eyes. “I’m not sure I should show you where it is.”
I chuckle darkly. “Oh,ma belle,I’ll find it even if you don’t show me.”
She knows I’m right, so after she shows Cal which room is his, she leads us through the second floor. I notice that her room is as far away from ours as possible. It’s not like it was intentionally done that way for us—the guest rooms are where they’ve been for years, I’m sure—but it’s still annoying.
“Just… don’t judge all the pink,” Athelia says before opening her door.
Cal lets out a long whistle as he stares inside. “You weren’t kidding.”
The first word I’d use to describe Athelia’s bedroom is bright. Even though the sun has set so there’s no light coming in through the large windows, there’s just so muchwhite.
It doesn’t compare to the amount of pink, though. Pink walls, a pink bedspread, a pink chair… It’s tastefully done, but it’s definitely not Athelia. Hers and Haven’s dorm is decorated very differently, as is Athelia’s room at our place.
“It’s what I wanted when I was a kid,” she explains as we all file inside. “And my mom got so sad any time I mentioned redoing it as a teen, so…” She shrugs. “I just lived with it.”
