Hardwood - K.M. Neuhold Page 0,71
talked specifics.
“None,” he answers.
“None?” I repeat with surprise. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs, chewing on his bottom lip. “There were a couple I considered inviting for a holiday, but they didn’t last long enough.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” His shoulders are tense, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him look so glum. I clearly put my foot in my mouth bringing this up.
“It’s fine. The past relationships talk is important. We have to open up all of our baggage for each other and sort through it.”
I grin wryly, even though his eyes are still trained on the road ahead. “Lucky you, I started chucking suitcases at you the moment we met.”
“I didn’t mind,” he assures me, flickering his gaze to me momentarily and smiling. My heart jolts at the simple look.
“Well, listen, if it’s too soon for your bo—” Dammit, I almost slipped again. “The guy you’re dating to meet your family, you can introduce me as a friend.”
“Are you kidding? And miss the chance to introduce a hot, sweet, successful business owner as my boyfriend? My mom is going to weep with joy that I finally met someone worth bringing home.”
I don’t miss his own use of the b-word, my smile growing wider.
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
Watson
Apparently, I have a boyfriend. The fact that I managed to say it so casually and not squeal like a dork and bounce in my seat is a true show of restraint.
The two-hour drive flies by. It’s not until we pull up in front of the small house I grew up in, the driveaway already full of cars, that it hits me that I’m bringing someone home for the first time. Like I told Ev, I’ve considered it with a few boyfriends, but the relationships always seemed to fizzle before I ever got the chance.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask, anxiously.
“More than ready,” he assures me, pressing a kiss to my cheek and reaching into the back seat to grab the bottle of wine and pumpkin pie I have back there.
We walk hand in hand up to the front door, a mixture of trepidation and giddiness warring inside me. I’ve always had this silly romantic idea that one day I’d bring a man here to my childhood home and introduce him to my big, loud, non-traditional family, and he would be the man I’d spend the rest of my life with.
I glance over at Ev, who’s looking at me with anticipation, waiting for me to open the front door. Ev, who’s gorgeous and thoughtful, who’s an amazing father, somehow enjoys my sense of humor, and is the most passionate man I’ve ever met. Fucking hell, it is so me to go and start falling in love with a man who is never going to stay.
“Everything okay?” he checks, squeezing my hand and looking at me with concern.
“Great,” I lie, swallowing down the chaotic feelings raging inside me, and open the front door. “The favorite child has arrived,” I announce loudly as we step inside.
We both remove our shoes, and I lead him through the house toward the cacophony of voices coming from the living room. The house smells like stuffing and cranberry sauce. The warm feeling of home wraps around me, somehow made more intense by Everett’s hand in mine. My stupid, sappy heart is enjoying having him here entirely too much.
“Watty,” my foster sister, Kaitlyn, greets excitedly as soon as we step into the living room.
“Hey, Kait,” I drop Ev’s hand and open my arms for a hug. Before I have a chance to introduce him, I’m swept up in a wave of hugs, kisses, backslaps, and comments about my supremely stylish bowtie choice for the day.
“And who do we have here?” my mom asks, noticing Ev, hanging back to avoid the fray of greetings.
“Mom, Dad, everyone, this is my boyfriend, Everett.” I wiggle out of the mass of bodies to stand next to him. “Ev, this is my mom and dad, my foster sisters Kaitlyn and Rava, my foster sibling Sam, and my foster brothers Calvin, Nick, and Anthony.” I point at each person as I name them.
“And there will be a test later,” my dad warns with mock-seriousness.
“I’ll do my best to remember all of that,” he promises.
“Oh, I’ll take those,” my mom says, noticing the bag in Ev’s hand that contains the pie and wine. “Watson, why don’t you come help me for a second.”
I roll my eyes in Ev’s direction, and he smiles. “Are you okay for a couple of