“As they should,” Brigham joked, laughing with ease, and I could only stare at him. He had the best smile when he laughed, but then my mom cleared her throat, ruining the moment.
“He is not your type.”
“Do I have a type?” I tilted my head, running a hand over my jaw. “I haven’t dated.”
“Right, but bookish, skinny guys were more your style,” she said, staring hard at Brigham talking to Everett. “He’s large.”
“Your point?” I snapped back, annoyed that his size was a topic of conversation. Would this be happening if I were dating a girl? Would we be talking about girlsizes?No.“He’s kind, considerate, and makes me stupidly happy. That’s enough for me.”
“You’re right,” my dad said, his face serious despite the warning look in his eyes. “I’m glad you brought him to meet us, Sarah.”
I beamed at my father just as Brigham rejoined us, giving us a sheepish smile before scooting closer to me. “Sorry about that. He’s a good guy.”
“Don’t apologize.” I swatted his arm and laughed when he pretended I’d actually hurt him. “That’s cool you know him and his family from the seats.”
“Yeah, season-ticket holders get special passes to games and events, so sometimes we get to know them.”
“I think I’ve seen your face somewhere,” my dad said, causing Brigham to shift gears like a switch went off. “ESPN highlights?”
“Probably,” he said, the tone of his voice much more somber. “Are you a baseball fan?”
“Yeah, Craig, are you?” my mom asked, acting like he’d said he’d dated Satan in college.
“It’s on in the breakroom at work sometimes. I’m bored when I eat lunch.”
“Hm,” my mom said, lifting her nose and staring at people who walked by. My stomach soured at the thought that my parents might’ve heard about Brigham’s troubles and how they would judge him. I leaned into his body, regretting that I’d brought him here. But my dad seemed interested and asked him a question right when our food arrived.
“So, what are your intentions with my daughter? This is the first time she’s ever introduced us to a guy before.” He smoothed his napkin over his lap and cut his food into small pieces.
“Dad, god.” I covered my face in my hands but Brigham pulled me into a half-hug. “I regret this whole thing.”
“This is fascinating.” Brigham took a sip of coffee before replying. “I plan to date her, continue to get to know her, and we’ll see what happens. You said this is the first guy she’s brought to you—well, this is my first time meeting the parents, so this is new for me too.”
“Does your job mean you get around, as they say?” my mom asked, pursing her lips, and I groaned. “What, Sarah?”
“Just stop. Either act appropriately or we’re leaving. Make fun of me, sure, but not him. You’re being an ass for no reason.”
She dropped her fork, causing a loud clank, and my dad paled and coughed. He righted himself before he put a calming hand on my mom’s shoulder. “Rose,” he said, a warning in his voice.
I wasn’t sure if it was for my benefit or for hers. But I wasn’t backing down. My pulse raced and my chest heaved as she stared me down. I wasn’t on their payroll. I provided for myself. This bullshit had to end, despite the fact that it sucked and I could very well throw up. “I mean it, Mom. You’re crossing a line, and if that’s what you want, fine. But don’t expect me to share my life with you when all you do is judge it.”
She gasped, like I’d smacked her, and I leaned back into the chair, done with the entire thing. “Yeah, we’re not gonna solve this today. We’ll head out.”
“You sure?” Brigham asked, voice sweet as can be, and I shook my head.
“Yes.”
He tossed a fifty on the table before sliding out and waiting for me to take his hand. We got two steps away before he headed back. “Come to the event. She’s worked her ass off for it. It was nice to meet the parents who raised Sarah. She bakes for a grumpy man in our building and has a heart of gold. I credit that to you two, but I will not sit by speechless when you belittle what she’s doing. Not everyone needs a degree to make a living.”
My hands shook as we walked away and I couldn’t decide if I was mad or impressed that Brigham spoke up. We went down the escalator, and right at the bottom, he pulled me to his chest and gave me a loud, possessive kiss. “Woah.”
“I’m sorry, Blue Bell.”
“Wait, why?”
“I shouldn’t have spoken like that to your parents,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair, a tormented look crossing his face. “It was rude, but fuck, they were assholes.”
I hugged him, hard. “Thank you for apologizing.”
