Page 40 of Loved

Plus when Penny and I were on a break, I’d measured one of my walls one night, thinking that if I bought her a big T.V. she’d forgive me. I’d been really drunk. And I think I’d dropped a hammer on my foot. I had no idea why I’d even had a hammer out. But Ian didn’t need to hear all that.

Ian laughed. “One T.V. Got it. Wait, what size?”

“I’ll email you the one I want. Hold on a sec.” I quickly found the link and shot him the email.

“Got it.”

“Thank you. Oh and there’s a wrapped box in the drawer of my nightstand. Can you put that and the T.V. in the living room?” It was another thing I’d done when I was drunk and missing Penny. But sometimes drunken actions were useful later.

“It’s not like…a dildo or something, right?”

“Why would I have a dildo in my nightstand?”

“I don’t know what you’re into.”

Lies.He knew everything I was into because there were security cameras in my bedroom. “It’s not a dildo.”

“Great. I’ll put that with the T.V. Okay, so you’re going to start watching T.V. You quit your job. Came clean to her parents. What’s next? Are you going to tell her about the cameras?”

“I think that’s enough excitement for one day.”

“Agreed.”

“Tell her about the cameras, James!” Ellen yelled in the background.

I’d tell her.Eventually.I heard the front door start to open. “I gotta go.”

“Later,” Ian said.

I hung up and petted the top of Teddy’s head again.

"I see you two are getting along now," Penny said and smiled down at me sitting on the steps

"Yeah, I think he actually likes me."Unlike your parents.I turned around. I saw her parents standing next to her. I was really glad I hadn’t said that last thing out loud. I quickly stood up.

"I'm really sorry that you two can't stay,” Mrs. Taylor said. “I hope you come visit us again soon. I promise that we're not usually this hostile."

I’d hope not.

She leaned in and hugged me.

"Thank you for being so understanding,” I said.

Her mom laughed. "Were we? I feel like we weren't. But I do understand. And I'm so glad that you make our daughter happy."

She pulled away and gave Penny a quick hug too.

"James." Mr. Taylor stuck out his hand.

"Mr. Taylor." I shook his hand.

"You can call me Peter." Her dad nodded at me and then walked over to Penny. He gave her a big hug. "Don't you ever think that you've disappointed us, Pen. We love you so much." He kissed the top of her head and released her from his hug.

I had no idea what it would feel like to be told that. I was the epitome of a disappointment to my parents. My mother had said those exact words to me once.

"Thanks, Dad." Penny teared up at her father’s words.

Actually, I knew how I’d react if my parents had ever said that to me. I’d laugh. Becausethatwould have been an April Fool’s Day prank. I wondered how they’d react tothe news about me dating Penny. But I’d never find out. Because I had no intention of telling either of them. They could read about it in the tabloids like every other stranger.

---