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“Hey,” I say.
“Surprise,” he says, watching me closely. He knows how I feel about surprises.
“Indeed.” I slip into my chair, noting Steven and Kyle’s cautious smiles.
I feel like I’ve stepped into the Twilight Zone. “What’s going on?”
“We haven’t seen you since my birthday, and we never have dinner with you,” Kyle says. “Dad thought maybe it’d be nice if we joined you.”
I bob my head up and down. “It’s very nice.”
“Our trip to New York is next week,” Steven jumps in. “We thought you could help us get ready.”
I can’t believe my father is following through on his intention to visit Kelsey. With my new job, the timing isn’t right for me to join them. But the fact that they’re here now means my father wants to help me navigate a relationship with them. Talking to them about their trip seems like a good place to start.
“We’re staying with Kelsey and Cam, but we don’t know them,” Steven says bluntly.
I don’t remind them that they don’t know me, either. Since I finally have the chance to connect with them, I don’t want to squander it. “You’re going to have a great time. There’s so much to do in New York. And Kelsey knows the city really well, so she’s the perfect guide.”
“Do you think we’ll meet Slater Jones?” Kyle pipes up, his eyes bright and curious.
I shake my head and try to keep my face neutral. The picture of our date didn’t gain traction and I was never identified, so I’m fairly certain they’re ignorant of the fact I know Slater biblically. “He’s in Sacramento with his new team. However, I think Cam is going to take you to a basketball game.”
Kyle looks disappointed for a second before he asks, “Do you think he’ll introduce us to any other players?”
“Maybe?” I wish I had paid more attention when Kelsey talked about Cam’s work. I don’t even know if any of his clients are basketball players. Do agents represent athletes from different sports? I have no idea. “You can ask him. Cam wants you to have a good time, so if he can arrange it, I’m sure he will.”
Kyle nods and looks at the table.
Silence falls. “Kelsey can’t wait to see you guys.”
It’s a bit of an exaggeration, because Kelsey is as nervous as I’ve ever heard her. It occurs to me that my father might be nervous, too. I sneak a glance in his direction, but he looks the same as always, slightly disheveled and intently focused on us.
“It’s weird that we’ve never met her husband,” Steven says.
“It is,” I acknowledge. “But they haven’t known each other that long. And they live in a different city. And they eloped.” I’m laying it on too thick, but I don’t want them to think they’re the reason.
Steven looks me straight in the eye. “We’ve never met any of your boyfriends, either.”
I choke on my water. “Umm…well.” Is it pathetic to admit I’ve never had a boyfriend last long enough to introduce him to my family?
“Or girlfriends,” Kyle interjects as he shoots a chiding glance at Steven. “We shouldn’t assume another person’s sexuality.”
He’s right, but I’m shocked that my teenager brother said it. I’m only a decade older, but it seems like his generation might be the one that finally pushes society into this kind of awareness. “I don’t really date much, but my last date was with Slater Jones.”
His jaw hits the table. Steven leans forward, and even my father looks shocked. Apparently me dating girls wouldn’t be surprising, but the prospect of me dating Slater is astonishing.
“You didn’t tell us you’re dating Slater Jones,” Kyle says reverently.
I shrug. I can’t deny that I like that he’s impressed. But I also can’t deny that Slater and I aren’t exactly dating. Talking on the phone every day isn’t the same as dating, right?
“Well…he’s in Sacramento now, so we haven’t seen each other since he left. He needs to focus on football, you know?”
Kyle’s shoulders droop. “That sucks.”
Steven nudges Kyle. “You’re just disappointed you didn’t get to meet him before they broke up.”
“We didn’t break up exactly. We were just hanging out.”
