I think that term—boyfriend—it just doesn’t feel like what I feel for my guys.
“What do Dominic’s parents know about me?” I ask Luc.
“The basics. Nothing into much detail,” Luc assures me. “Dom would have told them you’re Dec’s sister, I’m assuming, but we didn’t tell them a lot. We had to tell them about the car accident when we were late but that’s all they think it was.”
“Okay,” I murmur. “It’s not that I don’t trust them, it’s just…” I struggle to find the right words.
“Force of habit,” Luc says knowingly. “They’re Dom’s parents but they’re still strangers.”
“Yeah.” I sigh, grateful he gets it.
“Dom understands. He won’t say anything you’re not comfortable with,” Luc tells me as a loud noise echoes up to us before there’s barking.
I glance up at Luc in confusion before looking out the window for whatever it was.
“Come on, baby.” Luc grins, squeezing my hand.
My eyes take in the room one more time before I follow Luc as he takes the stairs in twos. I laugh at his excitement and race after him.
Alec shakes his head, smiling at us as we enter the kitchen.
“Follow Dom,” Alec tells me.
Before I overthink it with Alice there, I kiss Alec’s cheek and follow after Dom.
I’m thrown onto my ass after a few steps out the door. The air is knocked out of me. I freeze when I take in the animal on top of me.
“Abbie!” Dom whistles.
The German Shepherd ignores him. His front paws are on my shoulders from where he’s jumped up, knocking me over.
He’s looking straight into my eyes like he can see into my soul. And he just…stares at me. I start getting a little nervous about Dom’s dog potentially eating me.
“Abraxas.” Dom growls and Abraxas just wags his tail before he starts licking my forehead.
I start laughing. I can’t push him away because he’s on my arms so I just take it until Dom pulls him off.
An older man who looks way too much like Dom to be anything other than his father, helps me to my feet.
“Sorry about that, Love.” Dom’s father checks me over. His Australian accent or rather, his lack of an accent, is a strong contrast to Dom and his mother’s southern accents.
“Sorry, Sweetheart,” Dom apologises. Abraxas slides up against my legs like a cat.
“He’s okay,” I tell Dom. I lean down to pat Abraxas. His tail taps against my leg when I find a good spot.
I glance up at Dom’s father and see him smiling at me.
“Hello, Rory. I’m John,” Dom’s father introduces himself.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” I smile awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.
John simply smiles at me. “You too, hon.”
The screen door opens. Abraxas doesn’t leave to greet Luc and Alec—his tail just thumps harder against my leg.
“How’s it going, boys?” Dom’s father greets Alec and Luc.
“Hey, John.” Luc shakes his hand. Was I supposed to do that?
