Page 250 of Tell Me I'm Enough

What is it about our makeup that is driven by our parents’ approval and love?

I don’t want it. I don’t want to deal with it anymore. I’ve spent twenty years looking for approval from a man I hate.

Another text comes through.

Simone: I hope your day was good. Please tell me he didn’t ruin it too badly

I shoot back a quick text.

Mason: Ruining it is such an understatement

Simone: Want me to come over? Wanna talk about it?

Shame hits me. The fear of her coming here right now makes me so angry with myself.

I can’t have her around right now, even if sheisthe only one I want with me.

Mason: I’m just going to call it a night early, actually. I’ll see you tomorrow at the campus tour

Simone: You sure? Are you okay?

Mason: I’m okay. Just need a mental reset, that’s all

I keep drinking as I watch the bubbles on my phone pop up.

Simone: You’re going to meet my parents tomorrow. OMG

That makes me both smile and freak out a little at the same time.

No, we’re not dating or anything, and she won’t be introducing me to her parents as anything more than a friend, but…itfeelsimportant. I don’t want to fuck it up. I want them to like me.

Hell, I want everyone to like me. That’s my problem.

I type back, pushing the nervous thoughts aside.

Mason: I’m excited to meet the creators of the most perfect girl in the world

Simone: You’re making me blush

Mason: I wish I could see

Simone: This feels pretty big, doesn’t it? Or am I the only one freaking out?

I laugh, typing back.

Mason: Why are you freaking out?

Simone: Cause…I don’t know. My parents have only ever been introduced to one other guy in my life

I swallow my annoyance, thinking about her and Tyler, ignoring the way thinking about her with anyone else makes me irrationally angry.

The thought of anyone else just touching her makes my skin crawl.

Mason: I thought I was just a friend. What’s there to freak out about?

Simone: Is that all we are?

My stomach flips.