Page 66 of Shifting Fate
Dallon
Tonight was the night.
I, Dallon Reed Abernathy, was going to meet the parents. Me. The guy who chased off every longterm relationship he stumbled into. Guess I never accounted for my fated mate.
Arias was stretched out on my bed in nothing more than a pair of shorts. His outfit for tonight was neatly folded on the dresser. We were supposed to be getting ready for his parents’ dinner, but he hadn’t left that spot in over twenty minutes. He was too busy petting Spooky, who rolled around on his back asking for belly pets. Weird ass cat.
I turned my attention back towards my vanity mirror. Concealer? Check. Bronzer? Check. Highlights? Check. I was primed and ready. Time to do my eyes, which were the most impressive part of my beauty regimen. Eyes were the window to the soul, or so they said. Whoever “they” were.
I flipped open my favorite palette of bright, cotton candy colors, in proper Roy G. Biv order, but something made me pause. A twinge of doubt at the very corner of my mind threatened a thundering storm of emotions.
My stomach clenched and, for the first time in my life, I second-guessed my identity. My flamboyance. My unconcealed gayness.
I stared down at the creamy eyeshadows in shades of vivid violet and radioactive lime, eyeshadows that I’d never once felt ashamed of wearing, and frowned.
I couldn’t help but think of all the times my own parents had judged and berated me for being me. It didn’t matter what I wore, they bitched. Dad’s outrage was permanently etched in my childhood memories, the day I’d decided to play dress-up with Tashi’s pageant makeup.
I just wanted to be pretty. Was that so bad?
The truth had been made crystal clear: No matter what I did, I would never be good enough for them. I could buzz all my hair off and dye it brown, trade my entire wardrobe for plain blue jeans and boring t-shirts, and It wouldn’t even matter.
Setting the makeup down on my vanity, I leaned back in my seat and tried to shake off the negative feelings best I could. “What should I wear tonight?”
Taking that as his cue, Arias came up behind me and draped his arms around my neck. He nuzzled my jaw, scratching his freshly-trimmed facial hair over my sensitive skin.
“I’d be happy if you wore nothing at all,” he whispered into my ear. Goosebumps pebbled down my arms and I shivered. My mate chuckled throatily and kissed the spot just behind my earlobe. His hands delved lower at the same time firecracker nerves caught fire in my gut.
I pushed him away with a soft groan. “Stop. You’ll ruin my makeup.”
He pulled back, exhaling a short breath, as if stunnedIwould turn down sexytimes, and yet here I was. Turning down sexytimes. I shifted in my seat, then leaned my head back so I could plant a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Sorry. I’m just…”
“Nervous?” His brows jumped up. “You? Mr. I-Have-Sex-In-Public-Nightclubs?”
I hunched one shoulder in a shrug. “Shut up. I want to make a good first impression, you know?” I wrinkled my nose. “Your dad already thinks you’re dating a total freakshow, but I… I want to impress your mom, so yeah, I’m nervous. Sue me.”
Arias’s expression softened. A sweet smile graced his lips. “Dallon. Baby. Mom willloveyou. She was the one who encouraged me not to give up on us, after my giant fuck-up. She’s been dying to meet you. I promise, it won’t matter what you wear tonight. She’s going to fall in love with you.” He kissed the top of my head, the gesture so tender that it made me ache in the weirdest way.
I didn’t know why it suddenly mattered so much, or why I wanted the acceptance of someone I’d never even met, but knowing what I did about my mate’s childhood? His mom was special to him. I didn’t want to risk the chance of becoming the wedge in their relationship.
I swallowed around the growing lump in my throat. “I hope so.”
Arias smiled. “I know so, but if you want my opinion?” He leaned over my shoulder and pointed to the makeup palette. “This smoky purple here, and a little of that glimmery pink on your inner lids? Perfection. I’m sure you can find something to go with it that isn’ttoorisque.” He winked.
I laughed at that, then thrust out my leg. “I’m thinking boots.” I mused aloud. “Calf-high? Heel or no heel?”
Tipping my chin up, so we were face to face, Arias pressed his lips to mine in a sweet but firm kiss. “Just be yourself. You’re beautiful and I adore you, and I promise, Mom will too.”
My heart swooped as I pulled him down for one more kiss. “Go shower and let me put on my face,” I murmured.
He grinned against my lips, nipping the bottom one before straightening up. I ran my tongue over the spot slowly, well aware of the way my mate’s eyes locked in on me.
I stuck my tongue out. “Shoo!” He left the room laughing, and with a smirk, I picked up my makeup brush and got to work. Just be myself, huh? I could work with that.
“So…” Arias propped his hip against the doorframe, a curious look on his face. His hair was slicked back and dripping, still wet from his shower. “When do I get to meet your parents?”
The thought made me snort. “Hopefully never. Trust me when I say you aren’t missing much. There’s a reason they’re not really involved in my life, and the fact that they’re human is only a part of it.”
He pouted. “Dallon.”
