Page 79 of Unrivaled

Tiffany’s heels clack on the entryway tile as she follows me in, Ben clutched in her arms.

“Mama, I want down!” he whispers emphatically.

“Just a minute, Benny. Let’s see what we’re doing first.”

Turning back to her, I reach for him, and she gives me a grateful smile as he lunges into my arms. Even with me, he still squirms, though I think it’s less than with his mom.

My parents file out of the kitchen, all smiles, and Tiffany steps up next to me, a nervous smile on her face.

“We’re so happy you could make it tonight,” Mom says, ever the gracious hostess. She holds out her hands to Tiffany. “It’s so nice to meet you at last. I’m Melissa and this is Christopher. Gray’s told us so much about you.”

Tiffany shoots me a glance, eyebrows raised. “All good things, I hope.”

Mom lets out a tinkling laugh, but doesn’t actually confirm or deny anything. Turning to me, she kisses my cheek and then gives Ben all her attention. She’s been holding off, controlling herself and being polite to Tiffany first, but the only reason we’re really here is because she’s been dying to meet Ben from day one. And since the combines are next week, now seemed like the best time. Especially since I think my mother might murder me if I tried to make her wait another two weeks for me to get back and catch up on all the school I’ll miss while I’m gone.

My professors are understanding for the most part. I have one prof for Organizational Psychology who tried to act like the absence wouldn’t be excused, so I had to go through the whole process of getting a note from my coach, and when that wasn’t enough, going to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to get her to play ball. She’s still pissed, and I know the extra work she’s been giving me already is her version of punishment, but she can’t actually penalize my grade for missing her class next week.

“Hi, Benjamin,” Mom says to him in that overly bright voice adults reserve for young children. She clasps her hands together, absolutely enamored with him.

For his part, Ben has gone still, no longer squirming to get down as he stares at my mom, his index finger planted on his bottom lip. I can’t blame him. I’d probably stare if there were a strange woman who greeted me by my full name and seemed uncomfortably happy to see me too.

“Do you know who I am?” she asks.

He shakes his head solemnly.

Tears fill her eyes as she says, “I’m your Grandma M.”

Ben’s brows pull together in confusion.

I boost him in my arms and turn him more toward me. “Remember how we told you that I’m your dad?”

He meets my eyes and nods. “Well, this is my mom, and that’s my dad.” I nod my head at my dad. “That means they’re your grandparents.”

The furrow between Ben’s brows grows deeper. “Gramma and Grampa are at home.”

I nod. “That’s right. These are your other grandparents.”

He still seems dubious, but doesn’t argue with me. I know my mom wants nothing more than to hold him, but he’s not being particularly gregarious at the moment, so she’s just going to have to wait.

I become vaguely aware that Tiffany is talking to my dad, but it sounds like they’re mostly exchanging pleasantries, and she’s filling him in on things like her major and her plans after graduation.

Except that makes my gut clench, because she won’t graduate for another couple of years. And she sounds very much like she intends to stay here for that time. Which, I mean, I kinda know. And we haven’t discussed anything else. But I want her and Ben to come with me. I’d sorta hoped she would soften on that point on her own if we spent enough time together. Which is dumb. Why would she if she doesn’t know I want her to come with me? But feelings aren’t always rational.

My dad meets my eyes over Ben’s head, his eyebrows raised, and I know he’s wondering the same thing we all are. What happens when I leave?

Mom says something about dinner, and that seems to be Ben’s cue to start squirming again. I put him down, as grateful to be relieved of a squirmy kid as I’m sure the squirmy kid is for his freedom.

My mom holds out her hand and says, “You ready to eat, Ben? I have a special spot next to your mom and dad just for you. And you can meet my daughter. She’s really excited to meet you too.”

“She is?” Tentatively, he places his hand in hers, and my mom gives me a look that says she’s already smitten with him. And I can’t blame her at all. I had basically the same reaction when I met him. I mean, how could you not?

Dad follows them, and Tiffany steps close to me, letting out a long, slow breath. I wrap my hand around hers between us and give it a squeeze. “Doing alright?”

She gives me a quick smile that’s meant to be reassuring but doesn’t quite hit the mark. “I’m fine. Everything’s fine. It’s just a lot.” She looks all around the house, which is much grander than her parents’, and I’m guessing she feels a bit out of her element.

“They’re normal people,” I whisper. “And they’re happy you’re here. You brought Ben, so that makes you on par with an angel.”

She lets out a soft chuckle. “I’m not so sure about that, but thanks anyway.”

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