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“Dad, I would like for you to meet Oliver my…” Hell. I didn’t think this part through. I have no idea what to call him. We haven’t exactly put a label to what we are doing. I feel his fingers squeeze my side before he holds his hand out.
“I’m her future. Nice to meet you.” I suck in air, totally shocked and really turned on by his admission even though I don’t know that it is true. I chance a look at my dad and his face is as shocked as mine, but he recovers quicker.
“Hello, Oliver. I’m Bob. Welcome to our home.”
The rest of the time we spend telling him how we met and of our journey leading us back here. My father listens with no questions and very little commentary. I know he is not happy, but I appreciate his restraint. Suddenly, Oliver’s phone rings and he excuses himself to go answer it.
The minute he is out of the room my dad does his thing. “What is going on, January? What are you doing with this guy?”
“I’m not sure. I mean to be honest I don’t think I could have done any of this without him,” I admit out loud for the first time.
“I get that he has been a great support, but it is clear to me that more has happened, I just don’t know what you think will come of this? You have school starting up in a few weeks and I am sure he has a life to get back to. So again I ask, what are you doing with him?” His assessment of the situation stings because it is the very conversation Oliver and I have avoided, but one I knew we had to have. Listening to him summarize it in a few words makes my heart ache and my stomach turn sour. Isn’t this the very moment I have been replaying in my mind at night when Oliver is asleep, and I am in his arms not sleeping? One thing is for sure, I may not have all the answers right now, but the one answer I do have I am no longer hiding from.
“I am falling in love,” I tell him as honestly as I can. Wow. I just admitted it out loud. I thought I would feel scared or something, but instead I felt light and this twinge of euphoria. I should probably tell him, huh? The moment the thought hits my mind he walks into the room, but I can tell something is wrong. “Oliver?” I slide off the stool and go to him. He grabs my hands and looks in my eyes.
“I am sorry to do this, but I have to go. That was the camp calling. Seems Natalie was injured.” And just like that, the bubble pops.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
OLIVER
With one ear, I listened to her father tell her what a mistake this was until I realized it was the nurse at Natalie’s summer camp calling me, then all my attention was there.
“I am sorry to do this, but I have to go. That was the camp calling. Seems Natalie was injured.”
“Who is Natalie?” Bob asks.
“My younger sister.”
“He has custody of her,” January says.
“Could I speak to you, privately.”
“I’ll just step into the other room.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
I wait until he’s out of sight and pull her into my arms.
“Come with me,” I tell her.
“No, Oliver. I can’t. I have school and obligations here. I’ll call you. You better get going. Tell Natalie that I’m praying for her.”
“I will.” I kiss her and leave her house in daze. The Uber ride to the airport is quiet. I’m in luck as there is a flight leaving in less than hour. The camp director calls back, needing me to speak to the doctor. She needs surgery to have her leg set, so I give the okay. Once I’m on the plane, I allow myself to realize to that January doesn’t love me. She told me no.
* * *
I flew home a few hours ago, got my truck from the airport and drove directly to the hospital nearest the camp.
“Where’s January?” Natalie asks as soon as she sees me.
“Nice to see you too, Nat-Attack. She home in Chicago. What happened?”
“Chicago?”
“Yes. Now, what happened?”
“I’d just like to start this by saying that boys are stupid.”
