“That’s not even funny.” What does one wear to meet parents? A dress? Dress pants? I’m completely out of my element here and worry one tiny mistake will derail everything. Sure, I acted unaffected when we were at dinner the other night, but that was me lying to myself thinking I could do this. “I have no idea what to wear or do.”
Hazel shakes her head at me and forces me to sit on the bed. “I’ll pack for you. You have an entire weekend to yourself with your man. Meeting his family is going to be easy, I promise.”
She can’t promise that, though. She adapts to every situation so easily. Me? I’m awkward and abrasive. I say and do the wrong things. “That’s not the only thing I’m worried about.”
“If you say you’re concerned about the media, I’ll pommel you. You knew what this would be like after you started researching him. You can’t believe everything a gossip magazine publishes. Nine times out of ten it’s complete bullshit.”
“Yeah, but what about that one time?” I mumble under my breath.
“You’re focusing on the wrong thing.” She goes to my underwear drawer and shuffles through it until she finds something sexy and throws it in the suitcase. “I know relationships are scary. It’s part of life. But he loves you.” I start to interrupt, but she glares at me. “He may not have said the words yet, but I know he does. You can tell by the way he looks at you, and how protective he is. If you have any doubts, then maybe you should question why you’re going to Austin in the first place.”
That’s the thing. I don’t have any doubts when it comes to him. It’s all the women that feel the need to throw themselves at him I’m not a fan of. “Because despite the distance and all the crap I’ve found online, I’m right on the verge of loving him.”
“There’s your answer,” she sits next to me on the bed, packing my suitcase is abandoned for the time being. “Stop sweating the small stuff. And that’s all the other crap is. Small. Stuff. Focus on you and him. Everything else will work itself out.”
“I guess you’re right.” I know she is, but she’ll get big-headed about it if I tell her she absolutely is.
“I’m always right.” She squeezes me into a hug before jumping off the bed and raiding my closet. “It would probably be a lot easier on both of you if you let him mention you. Then all the other ball chasers will realize that he’s off the market.”
As much as I value my privacy, she might be right about that, too. I’ll have to talk to him about that when I see him. It’s something I’ve thought about but I didn’t want to jump the gun in case he’s not as serious about me as I am him. I don’t think I have anything to worry about, though. If he wasn’t serious, he wouldn’t have asked me to meet his mom. Right?
“I think that might be doable.” I peer into the suitcase to see what all she’s thrown in there. “You know I can’t wear half of that to meet his family.”
“Girl, you can wear a T-shirt and jeans to meet them. I’m packing your bag for all the sexy times you’re going to have in his gigantic house.”
“Why do I put up with you again?” This woman has completely lost her mind.
“Because you love me, and I’m family. You have to love family.”
She’s not wrong. She’s the only family I have since my blood relatives are assholes. “At least you know I love you.”
“I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about that once you start saying it to Bentley.” She puts one more item in my bag and closes the top. “Don’t be surprised if I get a little jealous. I’ve had you to myself for so long.”
“I’m more concerned with what you’re going to do when I’m no longer flying.”
“I guess you found a job?” That pulls some of the excitement down. I hate that she thinks I’m abandoning her, but I have to do what’s best for me.
“Not yet,” I sigh. “I haven’t even started researching anything. They have us on so many back-to-back flights, I can barely think straight.”
“I’ll support you no matter what.” She grabs my arms and pulls me up from the bed. “Now, let’s finish getting ready. We’ll have to leave soon.”
The phone rings and rings. Crap. Is he already at the stadium? I didn’t think he had to be there for a few more hours. Just before I think it will roll over to voicemail, he answers. “Whew, I almost missed your call. Are you already on the plane?”
“Not yet,” I sigh. “Hazel and I are on the way, but there’s traffic everywhere. I have no clue what’s going on, but they need to get out of the way. We’ll get in trouble if we’re late again.” I give Hazel some major side-eye. She’s the reason we’re always pushing our limits. One day I’ll be smart and ride on my own. I’ll miss these days, though. Not flying with my best friend, or seeing her, all the time will be weird.
“That sucks,” he laments. “Hopefully whatever is causing the jam clears up soon. I’m excited to see you, and so are Mom and Gabby.”
Nerves creep up all over again. Meeting his family is a big deal, and even though I’m trying to push my fears down, it’s hard. Hazel’s pep talks can only do so much. It’s up to me to dispel them completely. “Yeah, I’m excited too.”
“You don’t have to lie. There’s nothing to worry about, though. They are going to love you.” He sounds so confident about it. “I have to get going soon. I have your tickets waiting for you at will call.”
“Tickets?” Who else is he expecting to come?”
“I had an extra one put with yours in case Hazel came to the game as well.” It’s so sweet that he’s willing to include my best friend. “And if she can’t make it, there’s no harm done.”
“Thanks, Bentley. It means a lot.” So many people dismiss those I find valuable in my life, but he doesn’t. He’s willing to include Hazel as much as he can. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours. You know, if this damn traffic jam goes away.”
“Anytime.” I can hear his grin through the phone. “I’ll be looking for you in the stands.”
