Page 65 of Ruin The Friendship
Yep, as long as your parents are cool with it.
Grace
Totally
29
BETTING ON LOVE
FLETCHER
“You’ve had a lot going on, it seems.” There’s a hint of humor in my mom’s voice.
The last few weeks have been so crazy, but I’ve been meaning to call her, so I’m excited to talk to her now.
“You could say that. I hear you’re coming up to stay here once the baby is born?”
I’m more than fine with her coming to stay. Anything that helps Lydia is fine by me.
“Yes, if that’s fine with you?” Something in her voice tells me she’d do it whether I agreed or not.
“Of course. With the potential of playoffs, I might not be around as much as I’d like, and she’s going to need someone around. Her mom is…”
“Oh, I know,” Mom replies, her tone scathing. “Lydia told me about her, and I just cannot believe it.”
“She wants her parents to be happy for her. I understand why, but I hate watching them hurt her time and time again.” I run a hand through my hair, still so frustrated over the lunch when she told them she was pregnant. I never liked her parents, but I gave them the benefit of the doubtfor years, thinking maybe they’d change. They haven’t. If anything, it’s gotten worse. “Part of me wants her to cut them off, but I know how badly she wants their approval.”
“Can I offer you some advice?” Mom asks tentatively.
“You know I’m always open to advice from you.”
And it’s true. My mom is often someone I turn to for guidance, though when it came to figuring out how to ask Lydia on a date, I held back. I didn’t want her to get too excited.
“She may not know what she wants to do about her parents yet, but she’ll need you through it all. You’re her rock, and this is a time in her life when she needs you most. Be there for her in any way she needs.”
“I will.” Now is as good a time as any to tell her about the developments in our relationship. “Are you with Dad?”
“No,” she replies, a small chuckle coming through the phone. “He’s out in the barn doing some chores, probably trying to wrangle Dave.”
“Well, you’ll just have to tell him later then.”
“Tell him what?”
“Lydia and I?—”
I don’t get the rest of my sentence out before she squeals. “Oh, finally! I’ve been waiting years for this, you know. Your dad and I have had a bet going, but he didn’t think you’d ever make a move.”
“Wait—” I sputter. “You have abet?”
“Absolutely. Anyone with a set of eyes could see how much you love her.”
I chuckle. “Well, she’s a special person.”
“She is. What about the baby?”
“I’m stepping up,” I state, not leaving any room for doubt. “I’ll do whatever it takes to prove I can be a good partner and father.”
“You’re a good one. I’m proud of you.” Mom’s voice wobbles, and I wish I could hug her. She always gives the best hugs.
