“It’s not even nine,” he tells me.
“I’ve had five missed calls from my father, fifteen from my mother, and two from Jaxon.” Whatever color had come back on his face is now gone. “So I’m not going to say this is an urgent matter,” I roll my lips, “but I’m not not saying it. I will say you were right about one thing. We definitely should have told my parents.”
He puts his hand on his chest. “I think I’m having a heart attack,” he groans, rubbing his chest. “Like there is a pain in my chest.”
“Okay, that’s being a bit dramatic.” I roll my eyes. “But if you really are, that would maybe help a little.” I laugh. “Zane,” I say his name, “it’s going to be fine.”
“How can you say that?” he asks me, his hand moving up to touch my face.
“Because it can’t get worse.” I tap his chest. “Get in the shower.”
Forty minutes later, we are walking out of his house and headed toward Jaxon’s. His phone rings as soon as we sit in the car and I look at the center where it displays just the word dad.
“I think someone is in trouble.” I sing out and he shoots me a look before he presses answer.
“Hey,” he says, “I’m in the car and you are on speaker phone.” He warns him.
“Zane,” he says his name and I smile because he sounds so much like him just older, “what the ever loving F is going on.”
“I can explain.” He says, “it’s not what it seems.”
“I’m listening.”
“Oh shit you wanted me to explain now.” He laughs, “okay well I’m dating this woman.” He grabs my hand to kiss my fingers, “and she’s younger than me.”
“What is this hogwash about you grooming her?” He snaps out and I speak up to defend my man.
“No,” I snap out and then put my hands to my lips, “hi,” I say to the screen, “I’m Tori, it’s nice to meet you or meet your voice.”
“It’s good to meet you.” He says.
“Dad, I promise you that it’s all lies and when the season is over, I’m going to bring her down to you and you can meet her.”
“I would like that very much.” He says, “now I can hear your busy so how about you call me later.”
“Will do.” He says, “love you dad.”
“Love you more.” He says disconnecting.
“Wasn’t that nice? He sounds like you, or you sound like he does. We should stop and pick up some sweet treats,” I suggest to him as the phone rings in my hand and I see it’s Ariella. “Or not,” I remark, putting the phone to my ear. “We’re about twenty minutes from you,” I answer instead of saying hello.
“Oh, look who has risen and is not fucking shining,” Jaxon growls, making me laugh.
“Should I get some cinnamon rolls before coming to the house, or just show up?” I ask him.
“Tori,” he grits between clenched teeth, “we’ve been up since six and on the phone with Dad since six oh five.”
“I have to call him back.” I look out the window. “I’m going to call him when I get to your house.”
“Great,” he retorts, “just great, so I’m an accessory.”
“Everyone is being a bit dramatic today.” I roll my eyes. “I’m dating a man. It’s not that big of a deal, people do it every day. It’s actually a very common thing.”
“Just get your ass over here,” he grumps, hanging up.
“He says no to the cinnamon rolls.” I look over at Zane, who looks like he’s turning green now.
“Good news is that in an hour it’ll be over,” I spin it as he pulls up to Jaxon’s house.
