Page 59 of How We Loved

We all sat and talked for a while, and I thought we were having the best time as my dad got to know Trevor. I was so impressed with how he handled himself, never once seeming awkward about engaging my dad in conversation, so hearing him say this catches me off guard.

“I thought we were all having a good time?” I question, not understanding.

“Talking to parents is not a good time. It’s an act.” He grabs my hand. “Worth it though. I won him over, for sure. Now, he might not be as strict when I want to spend time with you.”

I grin, not sure what to think about his statement. I’ve never felt this way about talking to anyone’s parents, especially my dad. He’s kind of, dare I say, cool. I’ve also never heard the guys talk like this when speaking of their girlfriend’s parents—well, except for Dalton, but that’s a whole different story. Now, it seems like they get along.

I guess it is good that my dad knows and likes him better, and, yeah, he might give me more time past my curfew, like he would if I was with Ben. I never really thought of it that way.

“Now, where can we go to be alone?” He raises his eyebrows at me, making me laugh.

“I know a place.”

I guide him through the city to a road that leads to a secluded part of the river. When we arrive, it’s obvious we weren’t the only people thinking this was a good spot, as there is a huge family birthday party with streamers and all taking over the entire area.

“Goddammit!” Trevor slams his fist on the steering wheel when he turns the corner to see there is nowhere for us to go. “Why is everyone cockblocking me all the time?” he says more to himself than to me—at least I’m hoping that’s the case.

I’m bummed, too, that we have to find another place so we can fool around, but I’m not angry the way he is about the situation.

I place my hand on his leg, hoping to calm him down a bit. “It’s okay. We can go somewhere else.”

He sighs. “Whatever. I’ll just drop you back off at home. I need to get going anyway.”

We drive in silence the rest of the way back to my house. It’s obvious he’s irritated by the way he keeps gripping the steering wheel harder than he should and mumbling under his breath.

I’m not sure what to say to make it better, so I sit in silence, gnawing on my inner lip, confused as to why he’s so angry. I’ve never really been around anyone whose emotions change as fast as his does, and I’m not sure what to think about it.

“Back to your palace,” he says sarcastically as he puts the truck in park.

I reach for the door handle without even saying goodbye. If this is how he’s going to act, then this is what he’s going to get from me.

Before I can hop out, he reaches for my arm, stopping me. “Where’s my kiss?”

I turn to him, and for the first time since we left my house, I see the guy I’ve been getting to know. His puppy-dog eyes always do me in.

Okay, he had his moment and is back to himself. I guess everyone is allowed to throw a little hissy fit every once in a while.

I grin and lean over to kiss him, only to yelp in surprise when he grips me and pulls me closer to him for a deeper kiss than I expected.

When he pulls back and places his forehead on mine, he whispers, “Come up to Springstown tomorrow.”

“I already told my friends I’d hang out with them, but …”

“But you’d rather be with me.”

I laugh, knowing he’s right.

“Okay. Text me when you get off and let me know what time I should come up there.”

“You know I will. What are you going to do the rest of the day?”

I shrug. “Not sure. I still haven’t spoken to Ben since last Friday. I think I’ll finally have that talk with him about what was said to you in the restroom. Then, maybe I’ll see what the guys are up to.”

He looks me straight in the eye. “Don’t bring it up. It’s not worth it. Move on from last Friday. I have. But I’ve told you that I’m not sure how I feel about you hanging out with them when I’m not around. It’s not just Ben I’m uneasy about.”

I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. “It’s just the guys. I was raised with them. They are more like brothers more than anything else. It’s no big deal.”

“Then, it’s no big deal if I go out with a group of girls tonight?”

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