"I just don't want them to worry. It puts too much strain on their marriage, and that's rocky to begin with."
"I get that," Nathan said. "But maybe you should consider just talking to your parents. Telling them how you feel. If they worry and if it makes them fight more, that's on them, not on you."
"I suppose."
"You could start with telling them you're seeing someone," Nathan said. "You don't have to mention me specifically. I just feel bad, like you're sneaking around behind their backs. Makes me feel like a jerk."
"I never wanted you to feel that way." I squirmed out of his embrace until I could look him in the eyes. "I'll tell them I'm seeing someone. Okay?"
A small smile appeared on his face. "I think that's a really good start."
"If I do that, will you do something for me?" I asked,
"Of course," he said.
"Talk to your band about your mom."
Nathan froze.
"I think it's important for you to have that emotional support," I continued.
"I can't," he said automatically. "I can't let anything distract them from our work."
"If it does, that's on them, not on you," I echoed.
"I don't know," he said doubtfully.
"Please think about it?" I asked.
"Okay," he said reluctantly. "As long as you think about telling your parents."
"I will. I promise."
I had no idea how my parents would react to knowing I was seeing someone. It had been a fight to get them to accept my first boyfriend, and look how all that turned out. Some boy had hurt their precious baby girl. I didn't want to imagine how they'd react if Nathan showed up at the front door, all tattoos and leather and fancy sports car.
Maybe it would be fine. Maybe they would be happy for me.
But in the back of my mind, I had a feeling it wasn't going to be that easy.
