Page 87 of Studious
I laugh, but there’s a pang in my chest. “He told me he doesn’t do feelings. That he was hurt before, so he never has more than one-night stands. That—”
“Did he have more than a one-night stand with you?”
“He said that while he’s teaching me he’ll be exclusive, but I don’t have to be—not that I want anyone else.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me that?”
“I guess not, no.”
“That’s huge, my friend. Players don’t restrict themselves like that. They’re just in it for themselves and then they move on to the next guy. That’s showing a tremendous amount of care for you.”
“Mason,” I say warningly. “This is dangerous talk. You’re getting my hopes up, and I can’t afford to get my hopes up. I have to be doing the opposite of that.”
“You need to be a pessimist?”
“Well, that way I’m less likely to be disappointed.”
“It’s such a depressing way to go through life, though. I say be bold, Alden. Be bold, and let yourself love.”
“Just so long as you’re there to pick up the pieces at the end,” I mutter.
CHAPTER24
Danny
Alden and I are at his mom’s house, sitting outside on the patio after having dinner with her. It’s been a few weeks since he lost his virginity—as he would characterize it—and everything is chugging along. He hasn’t said anything about wanting to see other people, and I haven’t told him about these uncharacteristic feelings I’ve been having. Which means I surprise even myself when I blurt, “Do you want to meet my mom?”
Alden looks startled. “Um, sure. I’d love to.”
I gulp. “Okay. She still lives in the house I grew up in. It’s in South LA. Not as nice as over here on the Westside.”
He shrugs. “How nice your mom’s house is doesn’t matter to me.”
“Well, it’s not the best neighborhood. There are bars on the windows.”
“So, like, it’s Los Angeles. I get it.”
I keep babbling. “She normally makes al pastor for guests, but that’s pork. Maybe I’ll have her do carne asada. Would you like that?”
Reaching over, Alden takes my hand. “I feel like you’re worrying about this.” He grins. “You’re acting like I do, actually. I get all anxious.”
“I’m anxious because I haven’t taken a guy home to meet my mom since high school.”
Alden’s lips part, and his eyes go glassy. “Sure,” he says quietly. “Okay. I’m honored.”
When we pull up to my mom’s the following Saturday, I see the house through different eyes. It’s a small, old bungalow. While it’s in decent repair, it’s nothing fancy. I make sure it’s painted and the yard is taken care of. She’s got a great security system. But she won’t move, because she’s known the neighbors her whole life. I don’t even know how she would handle being somewhere else.
But it’s so humble compared to how I portray myself in the office. This is not custom suits and a house in a good part of town.
This is who I really am.
Alden squeezes my hand as we walk up. “This is cute.”
I relax a little, and when my mom opens the door, she’s her usual lipsticked self. “Mijo! Come in, come in.”
I bend down to kiss her cheek, then step back to introduce Alden. “Mom, hi. Um. This is Alden. We work together.” Is he my boyfriend? Can I call him that? “And we’re kind of seeing each other.”
“Is he the one you were going to give lessons in confidence?” she asks.
