"This is the worst."
"The fuckingworst."
We've been texting, but it's not the same. I feel like I have no idea what he did all day despite knowing everything.
"This is a disaster," I say. "I can't believe they did this. I mean, I can believe it, but I didn't really think they'd be so…aggressive about coming to see me. I haven't been talking to them as much, don't always answer when they call. They don't know what's going on in my life and haven't seen the house and I think they just feel left out but…ugh."
He turns onto his street, listening.
"We ordered in dinner because I didn't want to cook for them and I didn't want to go in public because…well I don't know how people are going to behave around me with the rumors and all, and I just…I don't want to hear it from my parents. I wasn't prepared to factor them into everything else we're dealing with. And then, our spring break." I try to choke off a sob, but a little sound makes it through my defense.
Grey holds me tighter, kisses the top of my head, pulls into his driveway. "I know." He sounds as devastated as I feel.
"Eleven days, gone. Replaced bymy parents." I groan, sniffling and swiping at an angry tear. "I want to die."
"Please don't die," he says, half kidding.
I chuckle. When the truck is parked, we get out, and I slide out on his side, then straight into his side again, looping my arms around his waist as we head into the house, and I keep on venting.
"They asked a million questions, saying they're worried about me, but the truth is that they think you're too old and I'm naive." Once inside, I head for the couch and plop onto it. He sits next to me, listening. "Mom is trying to be polite, at least. Dad's barely said ten words, but I can feel him judging everything. The house. You. Me. And they're staying all week. Inmy house.That I just had to sneak out of. They brought their own air mattress! Like, theyknewI didn't want them here, so they invented this whole thing, packaged it up like a surprise forme. Can you believe that? How can they be so unaware?"
He doesn't say anything, just strokes my back, our thighs touching from knee to hip.
"Like I should be thrilled to have my parents crash my house for a freakingweekafter avoiding planning something with them? It's crazy. They're crazy, Grey. I should just ask them toleave. No, I shouldtellthem to leave. I should go home right now and wake them up and tell them to get in the car and go home."
I take a deep angry breath and fume.
"I can't see you. Can't be alone with you. Eleven days, just us, and know…" I swallow hard, really not wanting to cry.
Grey's quiet, processing for a minute. Then says, "Okay."
He sighs.
"It's not ideal. But it could be worse. They were going to find out eventually, they just…ripped the Band-Aid off before the count of three."
"I don't know if any amount of preparation would have been enough to earn their approval."
"In the end, I don't need it. Do you?"
"No," I answer without hesitation. "They have disapproved of every decision I've since I left home. But the thought of them not accepting you makes meangry. Like, I amso pissed.It's small minded, so unfair. Pretty much the usual from them." A dry laugh.
"They don't know me. Once they do, they'll come around." He says it like he's trying to convince both of us. "There's nothing we can do but beus. Show them who we are together. That's it. Everything else is on them."
I nod, reaching for his hand. When our fingers are threaded together, I feel a whole lot better.
He still looks a little worried, though. "What do you want to do about this week? I can stay away, if you want--"
"No! No, I need you. I need to see you. I want you there."
The tension in him eases. "Then I'm there."
"Dad wants to work on the house, which is hilarious because he literally had to buy a drill. Seriously. He took it out of the box. Didn't own one. I might have to teach him how to use it."
Grey chuckles. "Well, you know how."
"Thanks to you. He can't use the chainsaw, Grey--he'll cut his leg off."
"I can come help any time you want."
