I’vefeltmy mom paint. The way it takes over her every emotion. Now I know what that feels like.
“Alive,” I whisper, and her mouth swoops into the biggest smile.
“Teddy, someone’s here to see you,” my dad calls from downstairs.
Feeling thankful for the interruption, I dive off the bed and race down the hall to hang my head over the stairwell. When I peer over the edge, my dad has his hand clasped on Reed’s shoulder, cracking a joke with him in the entryway. The banister creaks and Reed looks up.
“Hi,” he says, tipping his chin back to show off his megawatt dimple.
My stomach swoops at the sight of him. He’s wearing his work uniform, and his curls are still damp from the shower.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I checked the schedule and we both don’t work until four today. Want to get some lunch?”
My eyes flit to my dad first and then at my mom, who steps beside me. In a turn of events, they’re both smiling at Reed.
“You should go,” my dad encourages.
I’m a little floored. I’m not sure where their change of heart came from. Other than the knowledge that, if Reed was my boyfriend before, they must have had a relationship with him. I just can’t figure out why they weren’t okay with us spending time together until now.
“Yeah, you should,” my mom agrees, and then whispers, “It looks like he’s good for you.”
It’s hard not to read into all my parents’ actions these days. To not believe thathe’s good for youhas everything to do with that drawing she just found in my room. But ultimately I’mjust thankful he saved me from having to discuss that topic any further, so he doesn’t have to ask me twice.
“Okay.” I jog down the stairs, grip his hand, and yank him out the front door.
“Wow, someone’s in a hurry.” He chuckles as I drag him along, but when I come to a complete stop in front of him, he crashes into my back and almost knocks me over.
“Shit, Teddy, I’m sorry!” He stumbles to catch me.
“I’m fine,” I say. “But before we do this, I need you to promise me something.”
“There she is. Overthinking Teddy.”
“I’m being serious, Reed.”
“Me too. You were on edge in there with them. Less thinking, more doing.”
I ignore his playful banter, knowing that’s just Reed.
“If we keep hanging out together, I need you to promise me you won’t get your hopes up. We can just have fun.”
He doesn’t ask for me to elaborate. He doesn’t even take the time to think about it. He just blurts, “I promise.”
I don’t want to think about it anymore either.
“Good, let’s go then.”
A quiet picnic table behind LaBeau’s, with two raspberry milkshakes in hand and a cup of pickles, is where he takes me. I’ve got to admit, it feels a lot like a date just being alone with him, but it’s less intimidating than skinny dipping, so I don’t worry about it.
I take an enormous swig through the straw, letting the fruity flavor melt on my tongue. “This really is the best milkshake in the world.”
Reed chuckles. “You sort of sound like your dad.”
I cringe.
“Right. Forget that,” he says, shaking his head and swiping the air into a clean slate. He uses a fork to stab a pickle, dips it in his shake, then jams the end into his mouth.
When I give him a weird look, he holds one out to me.
