Page 178 of Only Ever You

I pull away slightly and turn to face him. “What is it?”

“I just realized I have to meet your parents as your boyfriend.”

“And?” I tilt my head. “Are you telling me you’re suddenly afraid of my dad?”

“Please.” He scoffs lightly. “I’m not scared of anything. Especially not Uncle Xander.”

I study him for a second, note the way his eyes dart to one side. Then, I snort. “Yeah. I almost believed you.”

Expression pinched playfully, he cups my cheek. “Careful, or we’re going to make a quick detour and check in at a random hotel on the way to my parents’ house.”

My heart stumbles. “What do you mean your parents’ house? I thought we’d be staying with mine.”

“Mom’s birthday’s tomorrow, and everyone is coming for a barbecue. Including your folks.”

I worry my bottom lip. “I told mine I’d be with them. They’re waiting for me.”

“And mine are waiting for me.”

We fall silent, examining each other. My stomach twists, and I shift uncomfortably. Why didn’t I think about this sooner?

Sighing, Michael takes my hand. “Honestly, I don’t care where I’m staying, as long as I’m staying with you. So if you want to go to your parents’ house, let’s go. We can stay with mine next time.”

Warmth spreads through me, and a smile blooms on my lips. Fingers twining with his, I press our locked hands to my chest, right where my heart is beating wildly.

“We should stay with yours. It’s Aunt Ava’s birthday, after all. I’ll figure out what to say to my parents.” Leaning over, I press my mouth to his ear. “Plus, I’m one hundred percent sure my dad won’t be okay with us sharing a room two seconds after we tell them we’re together. And I don’t want to sleep without you.”

He laughs. “With arguments that strong, how could I refuse?”

“What can I say? I’m smart.”

“You’re not just smart—you’re a genius.” He pulls me into him and lowers his voice. “You deserve a reward for it, baby. What will it be?”

I place my hand on his knee and drag my fingers up his thigh until I reach his dick. “This. In my mouth.”

“I think we can make that work, but only if you let me eat too.” He tilts my face up and kisses me, and I stop caring about anything else.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Hi, sweetheart,” he says, his voice tinny through the phone. “Are you already in Santa Clara?”

From my spot on the sunbed, I look around the Thompsons’ backyard and cross my fingers. Saying hi to Aunt Ava and Uncle Colton was less nerve-racking than I expected, probably because I was too preoccupied with the call to my dad I’d yet to make. “Yeah, I’m here.”

“Finally! Do you want me to come pick you up?”

“Um, no, actually.” I take a deep breath and then say, “I’ll be staying with the Thompsons while I’m in town.”

When I’m met with nothing but silence, I pull my phone away from my ear and check to make sure my dad is still on the call.

“I know it’s probably sudden,” I go on, “and not what you expected, but…Michael and I⁠—”

“You two are together again, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.” I lick my parched lips, my stomach roiling with discomfort.

He heaves a sigh. “I shouldn’t be surprised. The moment you said you’d be training in New York, your mom was sure this would happen.”

“I love him, Dad. I’ve always loved him.”