It takes a little more energy to control the rage that builds up inside me whenever Addison talks about losing her V-card to a random guy—or any other guy who’s not me.
“Do you remember what you said to me before you passed out?” she asks.
“What’d I say?”
She leans in, her mouth next to my ear. “You told me to not let you die before you got the chance to fuck me.”
“I had a fever. I was delusional.” I don’t even remember saying that. “But also, maybe I shouldn’t die before I get to fuck you.”
Addison’s hand slaps my shoulder. “Stop,” she says. “Okay, what do I say to your parents?”
“Start withhello. Orprivetorciaowill work,” I tell her.
“Show off.” She rolls her eyes at me again.
I know my multi-lingual abilities are a sore point for her. No matter how much she’s tried over the last year, Addison hasn’t been able to pick up much of either Russian or Italian. Which is odd, because the girl is fucking smart. She’s at school on a full-ride scholarship, something she earned from her academic abilities.
Taking her hand, I open the car door and lead her up to the front of the house. “Just remember you belong anywhere I am,” I tell her.
“Thank you. And also, I’m sorry if I embarrass you by saying something stupid.”
“Addi, you could never embarrass me.” I open the door. The house is quiet. But I know my parents are already aware I’m here. “Five, four, three…”
“Lex, how are you feeling?” My mom rushes down the stairs. Her arms pull at me and then she’s squeezing me tight. When she lets go, she places her hand on my forehead. “I’ve got your room freshened up for you. And I have some soup ready. You need to go lie down.”
“Mom, I’m fine,” I tell her. “It’s just the flu.”
“You fainted, Lex. You are not fine,” Mom scolds. “Oh my gosh.” Her gaze falls on Addison. “You are gorgeous.”
I smile at Addison, who blushes. She is beautiful.She’s fucking gorgeous. And then my mom is hugging Addison.
“Thank you for calling my husband,” Mom says.
“Oh, I’m sorry if I worried you both. I just… didn’t know what to do,” Addison admits.
“You did the right thing.” Mom smiles when she lets Addi go. “I’ve set you up in the room next to Lex’s. Unless you two are planning on sleeping in the same room.” My mom’s gaze flicks from me to Addison and then back to me.
“Mom, jeez. We’re just friends,” I grunt.
“Pity. I like her,” Mom says. “Well, just so you know, I’m a cool mom. So if you do end up in his bed, just be safe. I’m way too young to be a nonna.”
“Oh my god! Papa!” I yell out to my dad. He’s got to be here somewhere.
“You’re home. How you feeling?” Dad asks as he walks through the front door.
“I’m fine, but Mom is trying to marry me off.” I plead with him to get my mother under control.
“We don’t do arranged marriages in this family.” Dad shrugs. “The doc says you’ve got some viral thing but should be fine in a couple of days.”
“I’ve been telling you I’m fine,” I grumble.
“Addison, welcome. If you need anything while you’re here, just let us know.” Dad ignores me and turns to Addison.
“Thank you, Mr. Petrov.” Addison smiles at him nervously.
My dad tilts his head at her. “You can call me Mikhail.”
My mom and I stare at him with open mouths. It takes a moment for me to snap out of my shock. When I do, I take Addison’s hand. “I’m going to show Addi to her room,” I tell my parents.
