Page 36 of Love
So I hadn’t lied when I’d told hereverything she’d asked about had been going fine.
Not that dating wasn’t going great…it wasjust a lot to process.
But none of the thoughts running through myhead were things I could talk to them about. “Dinner was great. Did you dosomething different with the steaks?”
Dad was old-fashioned enough that the onlything he cooked involved the grill. I had a feeling it was because he was as accident-pronein the kitchen as I was, but I’d never asked. There was a vague memory about afire in the microwave when I was a kid, but he’d always denied having any issue,so I wasn’t sure what I was remembering.
He shook his head. “Nope. Same sauce, but Ithink they’ve changed something in the recipe. It’s still good, though.”
“The new grill is working great, must bethat.”
He shrugged. “Possibly.”
I couldn’t decide if he was stubborn orjust oblivious about my wanting to change the subject. I thought that had beena good shift into something else. I had to admit he was just being stubbornwhen he went back to focusing on the pictures.
Damn it.
“Your mom’s a bit concerned.”
He only pulled out thatyour mom isworriedcrap when they were both worried. This was one of those times whereI really wanted siblings. Someone to come in and be obnoxious and demandattention.
“Why?” If telling them I was fine wouldn’twork, I wasn’t going to make it easy on them. I wasn’t the one who’d startedthis conversation.
He frowned for a moment before smoothinghis expression out. Evidently, he wasn’t pleased with me being difficult, but Ididn’t care. I wasn’t a kid anymore, and he knew it.
“She said you seemed stressed on the phone,and you’re…distracted tonight. Is everything okay?”
I had a feeling we’d go around this overand over until I either left for the night or one of us gave in. I was prettysure he expected that person to be me, but I couldn’t decide if that was thebest decision or not.
“I’m good.” I gave up staring at him andfocused on the pictures too.
I wasn’t sure what he saw when he looked atmy senior photo, but behind that smile, I saw someone who was both scared thateveryone knew what he was doing and excited because he had adatelaterwith the hottest guy he’d ever met.
Datewas a bit of aliberal term for what we were doing, but Ian had been my entire focus at thatpoint. Ian and football. Those were the only things that mattered senior year.
“I’m dating. It’s complicated.”
I had no idea what I was thinking as thewords came out, but I had a feeling the boy in the picture was tired of beingafraid of what people would think.
“Dating is good.” His voice was so even thatI knew he’d worked to keep from giving away any emotions.
“Yeah.”
If Dare ever wondered why I was so terribleat talking things through, I was going to let him meet Dad. He’d never questionit again. Hell, I’d probably get an award for most improved from one generationto another.
“They’re…good to you?”
I couldn’t decide if he was asking aboutthe relationship in general or if he was worried that my odd behavior meantsomeone was abusing me. Either way, it was a weird question from him. “Yes.”
His use of the word “they” let me answer itcompletely honestly.Theywere very good to me.
“Good.”
The pause was long enough that I wasn’tsure if we were done or not. I had to bite back a groan when he finallycontinued. Evidently, we weren’t done. “You’re more than welcome to bringanyone home that you want.”
Was this the point where I was supposed totell him I’d already brought one of them home?
“Thanks.” My gaze wandered over photos offamily vacations and more school pictures.
