Page 123 of Game On
“Of course,” she says. “But I was thinking we might spend a few days with my parents, too. I know I’ve kept my distance from them since I got back, and they haven’t got in touch either, but it could be a nice gesture.”
Ella doesn’t talk much about her parents anymore. Infact, she rarely brings them up at all, save for the occasional anecdote or memory triggered by a random event. The distance has always been a sore topic, a wound she never quite lets heal.
They were supportive of us moving in together, even willing to fund her housing this year, especially after she ended things with her ex. But that support came with expectations, namely that she maintains a certain image. Humble, grounded, eternally grateful for the hand she’s been dealt. Her dad’s still worried that Oxford will lead her to think she’s above everyone else. Although, if he made the effort to spend some time with her, then he would know she’s nothing like that.
Ella has been keen to cut loose of their judgment, so it comes as a shock that she’s willing to visit now.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, if that’s okay with you? It might help if I had you there as a … sort of shield, I suppose.”
“If that’s what you want, then of course we’ll do it,” I say. I’m here for her always, no matter what. “Though I’m wondering why you changed your mind. Last year, you would have rather spent the entire winter break alone than fly home to see them.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” she murmurs. “But that’s also before I had you.”
“You had me by then,” I correct. “I’m pretty sure I had you, too.”
“Nah, I didn’t like you that much until after the new year.”
“Liar.”
She chuckles. “There he goes.”
“What?”
“You,” she clarifies, “calling me out on my shit.”
“Someone has to.”
“As long as it’s you,” she says, “I suppose I’ll let it slide.”
I smile, unable to argue with that. These past five months have been the best of my life. From road-tripping through the Southern states, to flying across the Atlantic, to moving in together. A life filled with late-night study sessions and two-stepping in the middle of our living room. Our cat, old classic movies, and Oxford cafés. Kissing on the main quad. Sex on every available surface of our apartment, and a few choice places outside of it—her car, the park, a secluded spot near the Isis.
Not to mention the occasional—read: frequent—bickering over who gets the last slice of pizza from our favorite place down the street.
We FaceTime my mom and Carter regularly, too. My brother decided to stay back and attend a local community college for a couple of years. He’s doing well, finding his footing. And then there’s Levi—he’s planning to visit us in England after the NFL season ends. He got picked up by the Titans in the first round, and I couldn’t be prouder.
“Hudson?” Ella calls, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“Do you think, maybe, I’m getting my hopes up for nothing?”
I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. “If we can handle the stress of training for a national cheer competition,and then moving overseas together, I think we can handle a few days with your parents.”
She gives a wistful sigh, her elbow propped on the table, her chin in her fist. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
“Plus, it would be nice for me to thank them properly.”
She wrinkles her nose. “For what?”
“For one, funding our housing. And for two, giving me you.”
She scoffs. “Oh, I come second now?”
“Get used to it, darlin’.”
She smiles impossibly wide. “Baby, there’s not a single chance in hell.”
