She laughs and shakes her head. “That’s sappy.”
“Sappy but true.” I give her another peck before opening the passenger door to my car for her.
During the drive to the pizza place, she gives me the rundown of her day. I’m doing my best to listen, but the euphoria of finally getting to kiss her is fading and being replaced by thoughts of my parents. They’ll hate my apartment… They’ll probably make some dig about how much smaller it is than my house in upstate New York. And I already know they’ll turn their noses up at all the restaurants on Pine Island. There’s nothing fancy there. Just good, simple food.
It’s like they have it out for me. Have since I can remember. Even before I chose hockey, I was always the butt of jokes in our house. Always the one who was criticized more heavily, while my brothers got off more easily.
Why? What did I ever do wrong?
“Everything okay?” Devin asks after we’ve taken seats at a table and ordered two slices each of cheese—classic and simple, but better than anything else.
I sigh. “No. My parents are coming to town next week. They’ll be at the game.”
Her eyebrows rise. “Oh.”
It’s the same ‘oh’ she uttered when my mom called. It’s an ‘oh’ that means she has opinions but will keep them to herself. Which is kind of her. Much like her family when it comes to me, they’ve never tried to hide their feelings.
“You don’t have to spend time with them,” I hurry to explain. “I don’t expect you to at all. Their visit wasn’t even planned. My mom just sprung it on me. She’s upset that I didn’t tell them about my new job, and they’re in town for some conference of hers…” Out of steam, I twist a cocktail napkin.
“I’m not missing the game, if that’s what you’re suggesting. I don’t care if Satan is there.”
I grin up at her. “Really?”
“Yes. No one is chasing me away from it.”
I let out a long exhale. “I’m sorry.”
“I know, but you don’t have to be.” She snorts. “It’s not like time with my family is always a walk in the park either.”
“What’s going on?” I reach across the table for her hand, needing to feel closer.
She laces her fingers through mine, her thumb absentmindedly tracing a pattern over my skin. “I’m not looking forward to this ski trip.”
“Really? I thought you loved spending time with your family.”
She looks out the window. “I told them about you when I went home for Christmas. Just that I ran into you, that you moved to the area. It wasn’t…”
“I don’t have to guess.” My words are rigid, but I can’t be too angry. It’s their job to protect Devin, and I wasn’t the best boyfriend I could have been. They have every right to dislike me.
“They only remember the bad things.” Her face scrunches up.
“Have you told them that we’re dating again?”
Her hesitation is all the answer I need.
“Are you going to tell them?” I slowly ask, trying to not make this about me and become offended.
“I need to, I just…”
“Don’t want to let them down?” The familiarity of it all makes me cringe.
“Somewhat. I also don’t want their opinion of you to… this is going to sound bad and like I’m weak… but rub off on me.”
I sit on that for a moment. It’s not an ideal thing to hear, but I have to remember that she’s really close with her sister and parents and has always valued their opinions.
“So how will you prevent that?” I ask.
She rubs her hairline, thinking about it. “The only thing I can think of is not talking about you… until I decide to tell them about you.”
