need an agent because it’s a conflict of interest if he’s advising me, even though we’re friends.”
“Good, have you reached out to any of the ones I recommended?”
“Not yet. But he also recommended that same lady you thought would be good.”
“Scarlett?”
“Yeah, her.”
“That’s Brie’s agent and she speaks highly of her.”
It’s good to talk business and I’m excited to find someone new I can consult about this kind of stuff. Someone who isn’t my boyfriend or friend, that is. I’m lucky to have so many people who understand the world I’m in and can give advice, but it will be good to also have that outside perspective as I navigate all this stuff.
When I see my parents at the airport, and Mom starts crying before she’s even got me in her arms, I’m right back to reliving the events of last night. It’s the first time I’ve let myself cry since it happened. They aren’t big sobbing tears, but a few streak down my cheeks as I hug my parents.
“Our brave strong girl,” Mom gushes.
Dad takes my arms and inspects me up and down much like Beck did when he first found me last night. “You look exhausted, sweetheart. We won’t make you talk about it tonight. Let’s get to bed, get a good night’s sleep, and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
I might lean on Beck and my friends now more than I do my parents, but they still know me as well as anyone. It’s exactly what I need.
“I have classes tomorrow. And even though I normally whine and complain about going, I kind of want some normalcy,” I admit.
“Fine, I won’t force you to play hooky,” Dad says, patting me on the shoulder. “We’ll take a tour around campus and town while you’re in class.”
“It’s so nice to have you here,” I admit. “I’m glad you didn’t let me talk you out of coming.”
Mom smiles as she lets Beck take her suitcase. “Oh, we’ve been waiting for a good excuse to come visit. This isn’t exactly what we had in mind, but we’re happy you’ll have a chance to show us around. We know how much you love it.”
Mom’s still weepy and I get the sense it’s not only about her daughter being held at gunpoint. It’s that I’m growing up, and all signs are showing that I’ve fallen in love with a location on the opposite side of the country from her. The location, the people, the guy. I give her another squeeze as we walk out of the terminal. This is my home now, and even getting my life threatened by my boyfriend’s best friend’s stalker doesn’t change that.
Chapter Twenty-One
Beck
It should be weird having my girlfriend’s parents staying at the Jay Beach house, but it’s surprisingly kind of nice. They’re a huge part of the woman she is today, and it’s important to me to get to know them better. I want them to know me too, because I intend to be a permanent fixture in Jordan’s life. Jordan insists on going to classes all week, and I take some time off work to show her parents around Jay Beach and Summerside.
It’s Saturday afternoon and they’ve got a flight home tomorrow. The last five days with them have been good for Jordan I think, gave her some comfort when I know she’s rattled by Sunday night’s events. But I also know she’s eager for some solid hours shredding the skatepark. And I know I’m eager for some alone time with her.
I’m flipping burgers on the grill while Jordan and her mom are swimming in the pool. Dinner will be ready soon but I don’t want to interrupt their time together.
“How’d you learn to cook so well?” Jordan’s dad, Ted, joins me on the deck after changing from swimming earlier.
“My mom. But this is a pretty simple meal, so nothing too exciting tonight.”
“I’ve been impressed every night, even with your so-called simple meals.”
“Thanks.” I’ll take compliments from Jordan’s dad. He was quicker to approve of me than I expected back in April when I came out to visit Jordan in Connecticut. I couldn’t be sure how deep that approval ran. After spending this week together, I get the sense Ted isn’t just giving a momentary nod of acceptance to our relationship, but genuinely likes me too.
“I’ll be honest, Ted.” I turn to him, wanting to let him know how much I appreciate his willingness to welcome me into his daughter’s life so openly. “After being on reality television and not