“Maybe. But after, she’ll feel a lot better.”
He didn’t sugarcoat it, and Avery seemed to appreciate that as she gave a firm nod.
“Now, run on inside. We’re right behind you,” Beck said.
She gave him a quick hug around the waist before darting inside the farmhouse. When the door clicked shut, I turned to find Beckham studying me.
“You ready?”
I inhaled a steadying breath, nerves seeping right back into my bones. But even as my palms grew clammy, I knew this was what I wanted.
“I’m ready.”
12
BECKHAM
Parker’s movements seemed hesitant as we stepped into my parents’ house, and rightfully so. Not only had it been a long time since she’d seen my family, but she was also pregnant. All of that resulted in dozens of questions I was sure she didn’t know how to answer.
As soon as we passed the threshold of the front entry, Parker stopped. The entire room did, too. One glance turned into four, which turned into all eyes on her.
“Parker!” Lettie exclaimed breathlessly, like she’d been just as nervous before our arrival. Had they thought she’d bail? That her presence was only a rumor?
Lettie crossed to her, not sparing Parker’s stomach a single glance as she wrapped her arms around her. Parker returned the gesture, and the sight warmed something inside me.
Lennon, my oldest brother, stood in the living room with his arm around his girlfriend Oakley’s shoulders.Reed was in the kitchen with his girlfriend, Brandy, a platter of buttered corn placed in front of them like they’d been working on it when we walked in.
“Well, look who it is,” my mom said, setting a pair of tongs down on the counter by Reed and Brandy.
I quickly shot her a look warning her to take it easy, but she waved me off and swooped in right as Lettie stepped away. Parker was stiff as a board as my mom’s arms wrapped around her. But as my mom ran a hand in circles over her back, Parker loosened, melting into my mom like she was the roots of the family tree Parker had missed so dearly, grounding her in the storm that was her life.
I’d run headfirst through pounding rain and dangerous blizzards time and time again to save Parker from the flood. This house had always been her safe haven, and Charlotte was her umbrella from the pain.
Parker wouldn’t be alone in any of this, and my mom hugging her like she hadn’t been gone a day was proof of that.
The two parted and my mom squeezed Parker’s hand, a tear-filled smile on her face.
“Are you doing okay, sweetie?” my mom asked.
Parker nodded, looking like she was holding back her own tears. “I’m okay.”
My mom sent me a speculating look to confirm, and I dipped my chin. I didn’t allow myself to live in a world where Parkerwasn’tokay.
“Parker, this is Oakley,” Lettie started, toning down the excitement a bit as she gestured to the auburn-hairedwoman who was now beside her. She could likely tell this was a big step for Parker, and I appreciated my sister for not hesitating to loop her in.
“Hi.” Parker sent Oakley a soft smile. “I’m not sure what they’ve told you about me, but in case it was bad”—she narrowed a teasing glare on me before continuing—“I was best friends with Beckham growing up.”
I crooked a brow. “Is that what we were?”
Parker gave me an all-knowing look, a blush painting her cheeks, before she fell into easy conversation with the girls.
After introductions and warm welcome-backs, my mom packed us all around the dining room table. With the sun setting earlier in the day, it was too cold to enjoy dinner on the porch tonight—her favorite place to see her large family laughing and smiling as they dug into a home-cooked meal. We could bear it with the heaters on, but she’d likely kept us inside for Parker’s and Sage’s sake.
All through dinner, the obvious was avoided. Parker was pregnant, and no one brought it up. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of my family with that, but it was coming. I only wished I knew when so we could both prepare. Hell, we should’ve discussed logistics well before arriving here.
Once dinner was done, Parker insisted on helping the girls clean up. Meanwhile, my brothers forced me to join them on the front porch. I’d been reluctant to leave Parker’s side for the fear she’d be ambushed alone, but Lettie had sent me a reassuring look before I slippedout the door with my jacket on and baseball cap pulled low.
Lennon leaned his elbows on the wood railing, beer beside him, as he stared out at the barn faintly illuminated by the lights on either side of the barn door. Reed had his arms crossed and a frown aimed my way. He had every right to be a little hard on me right now. I’d been spiraling for months, and now I showed up to dinner with a pregnant Parker. He likely thought she’d been the source of all of my troubles the past few months. It didn’t help that I hadn’t been entirely honest with them about Parker over the years. Telling your family the truth about the girl you fell in love with could be tricky, so I’d lied about some things to save myself their concern.
