Page 254 of Tell Me I'm Enough

Her mom steps forward, all warmth and perfume and soft smiles. “We’ve heard about you.”

That makes Simone freeze.

“Mom,” she hisses.

“Hopefully good things,” I say, glancing at Simone teasingly.

Her mom grins. “Mostly.”

Simone groans.

I turn to fully face them both again. “I’m really glad you guys could make it out. This is all…kind of a big deal around here. Did you get to come last year?”

“We did,” her mom answers. “The campus is so nice here. Way bigger than the college I went to back in North Carolina.”

“You went to UNCC, right?” I ask, keeping the conversation going.

“I did. Meandher dad did,” she tells me proudly, pointing to her husband. “Simone actually talks about us around here, huh?”

I nod. “She does.”

Her mom studies me openly. “Simone says you play football.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What position?”

“Wide receiver.”

“Oh,” she says, impressed. “That’s exciting.”

“It’s just a lot of running,” I joke. “Mostly me trying not to get hit.”

Her dad gives the faintest smirk. “And succeeding?”

“Most days,” I say lightly.

Simone bumps her shoulder into mine. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s one of the best players on the team. And helovesthe attention.”

“I do not,” I protest.

We fall into this easy rhythm, and it surprises me how natural it feels. We talk about the game tomorrow, and howinsane game days can get. About the sociology class Simone’s taking.

Her mom asks me what I’m studying, and I hesitate for half a second.

“Business.”

“And what do you want to do with that?”

I smile, trying to hide any annoyance at the thought of my future career. “Um, I’ll be working at my father’s real estate firm and eventually taking it over.”

Her mom tilts her head. “Wow. That’s impressive. You seem like you’ve got a really good head on your shoulders, son.”

If she only knew.

“I wish Simone would bring home a guy like you.”

Simone looks mildly horrified. “Mom.”