Page 95 of The Pass Protection
“Oh, I-I…That’s nice of you guys, but I’m…I’m kind of seeing someone.”
“Nonsense. Sweetie, how are you kind of seeing someone?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Oh.” Her face softens as she places a gentle hand on my forearm. “Bret, no guy should ever make you feel like your status with him is complicated. He should want to be fully with you or without you. You’re too good of a woman to settle for complicated.”
“Mom—” I start, but I’m quickly interrupted.
“Bret, honey, believe me. If a guy wants to be with you, he will climb the tallest mountains, jump the widest rivers, and hike the hottest deserts just to be with you. And as much as I love you and your independence, can you please do us a favor and meet Duncan? It doesn’t have to go anywhere, but when I told Kathy about you, she insisted the two of you meet.”
Dad steps into the kitchen, a bright smile on his face, causing the conversation to lull. “Bretster!”
“Hi, Dad!” I greet him, stepping into his waiting arms.
“Did you know our daughter is seeing someone?” Mom asks as I let out a deep exhale. Having my dad on my back about this is not what I need right now.
Only a few more weeks, I repeat to myself.
Dad pulls back and stares down at me. “I haven’t heard anything about my little girl having a new boyfriend. Hopefully, he’s better than the last one.”
I scrunch my nose as I outwardly cringe at his comment. Not because it isn’t the truth, but just the mere mention of he-who-shall-not-be-named has my body on high alert. “Can we not do this today?”
“Sure, kiddo,” Dad says, giving Mom a pointed look. A silent conversation passes through them. “Dinner looks to be ready. I was going to thank everyone for joining if you want to come outside.”
I follow my parents through the back door for my first chance to escape since we arrived forty minutes ago. Sliding my phone out of my back pocket, I notice a waiting text from Crew.
Crew: Need me to rescue you?
Me: Not now, but I might need to take you up on that offer later.
Crew: Everything okay?
Me: Loaded question. But since we still have to keep things under wraps, my mom has arranged a blind date for me…today…
Crew: Oh, Rebel, this is going to be fun to watch *smirking emoji*
My mom’s elbow gently nudges my arm, pulling my attention from my phone to where my dad stands.
“Good evening. On behalf of my wife and I, I would like to thank you for joining us for our annual Thanksgiving dinner. This is thesixth year we’ve hosted it, and each year, our attendance gets larger and larger. We are grateful for every one of you. There’s plenty of food, so please, no one leaves here hungry.”
I watch as my parents stand in front of their guests, smiles brimming, as they look like the perfect couple. I know their marriage isn’t perfect, but they’ve been a great example of what love should look like for my brother and me, so I don’t understand why my mom decided to force some guy onto me. The only thing I can think of is that this son of their so-called friend is a member of the boosters or a high-end donor to the football team. It’s the only thing that makes logical sense. My parents have never inserted themselves in my dating life. In fact, I feel like it’s always been the opposite, with them not wanting their “baby girl” to leave the nest.
I’m thankful that Crew understands and considers this night a joke. His own form of entertainment. Now, if only it were my joke.
Spinning around, Mom’s voice has me pausing in my steps. It’s too late to retreat to the safety of the tent where the food has been set out.
“Kathy, I’d love for you to meet my daughter, Bret.” Mom points in my direction as if I wasn’t obviously her daughter. “Bret, sweetie, this is Kathy, John, and their son, Duncan.”
“You’re really tall,” Duncan blurts as he visibly takes in my height. He’s a few inches shorter than me—even without heels, I’d still be taller than him.
“Thanks, I think.” Taking his outstretched hand, our handshake feels more like a business greeting than anything that is supposed to feel semi-romantic. There are definitely no sparks that run straight through my body. My pulse and heartbeat stay at the same rhythm. There are absolutely no reactions to the man in front of me. Not like there are when Crew is simply in the same room as me.
“Why don’t the two of you run along and fill your plates, get to know each other?” Kathy muses. Her eyes have stars in them as if she’s just introduced her son to his future bride. News flash, Kathy, never going to happen.
With an outstretched hand, Duncan gestures for me to lead the way. I walk toward the food and throw a tight-lipped smile at Kathy and John. Hopefully, if I pile enough food on my plate, I’ll be too busy eating to carry on any sort of conversation.
Long tables fill the inside of the large tent. Each table is decorated as if we were attending a wedding reception and not a Thanksgiving dinner. Cream tablecloths, vases of fall-shaded flowers, pumpkins, and scattered leaves run down the center over the top of a burlap runner. In the far corner is a line where the food is being served buffet style as people eagerly fill their plates with a medley of options: roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cornbread, and everything in between. My roommates are all gathered at the front of the line, no doubt being the first in line to make sure JP receives plenty of Mom’s mashed potatoes.
