Page 108 of The Build-a-Boyfriend Project

“Excitable,” Eli finally gets out.

Rue rushes ahead of John and Les, racing toward Eli and Peter at a speed that almost makes Eli believe she could knock the two of them over if she didn’t slow down.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you, my baby boy!” She wraps Eli in a tight hug.

“Yeah, Mom. It’s not like we just saw one another last week.”

“But this is different,” she tells him. “Tonight’s special!” Rue finally lets go of her son, all of her focus now intently fixated on Peter. “And you must be the Peter I’ve been hearing so much about.”

“Oh, uh . . .” Peter stammers for a bit, wondering what to do with the skates in his hands. “Hi, Mrs. Francis . . . or, it’s Clark, isn’t it? I’m so sorry.” Peter holds his hand out for her to take.

“Oh, honey. As far as I’m concerned you can call me ‘Mom.’” Rue ignores the invitation for a handshake, instead wrapping her arms around Peter too, squeezing him even tighter than she’d squeezed Eli. He’s almost convinced that his mother could lift Peter into the air if she wanted to.

“Mom, let him breathe, please,” Eli begs her.

“I’m sorry, I’m just so excited!” Rue squeezes Peter one last time before she finally lets him go.

Eli steps closer to Peter. “Told you she’d love you.”

Peter grunts, holding his side. “I think she broke a rib.”

Eli takes his hand, leading Peter toward the rest of his family. “This is John, my stepfather. And Les, my little sibling.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Peter!” John says, though through his accent, it comes out more as Peetah. “Oh!” John exclaims when he takes Peter’s free hand. “That’s quite a handshake.”

“Thank you, sir,” Peter says a little too quickly, his nerves on quiet display. “Hi, Les!”

In typical preteen fashion, Les can’t be bothered to acknowledge Peter.

Eli tightens his own grip on Peter’s hand, just as a reminder that neither of them are alone here. “Don’t take offense,” he says.

Peter nods. “They’ll warm up to me.”

“You two already have your skates?” Rue asks.

“Yep.” Eli shows his mother.

“You’re going to skate?” Les snorts. “That’ll be a riot.”

“Hey, I don’t remember asking for your opinion.”

“Gave it anyway!” Les sticks their tongue out, and Eli, very maturely, sticks his out right back.

“We’ll meet you two at the entrance; go ahead and get your skates on,” Rue orders.

“Yes, ma’am!” Eli gives her a mock salute.

Rue gives her son a pssh! before waving him off. “You’re not funny.”

“See?” Eli sidles even closer to Peter, if that were possible. “Told you they aren’t so bad.”

“I guess so.” Peter’s shoulders seem to relax again, his pulse slowing.

“I promise, they’re pretty much ready to adopt you already. I’ll also apologize for any talk of marriage Mom brings up.”

“You think she’ll do that?” Peter’s voice goes a touch higher.

“Well, she asked Keith if he was going to marry me the second time they met, so I wouldn’t put it past her.”