Page 70 of The Ruckup
“Do you really think your sister will be excited?” I wasn’t worried about my parents. I knew they would be upset, but I don’t really give a shit.
I do give a shit about Alexis. Even though the weekend we spent together while Gavin and Leo were at the charity match went completely sideways at the end, I genuinely enjoyed hanging out with her. I loved sitting with her at the match even if I was about to barf the whole time. I want us to be friends and I don’t want her to be disappointed or upset over this.
But if Leo’s reaction to my question is any indication, he is not expecting upset from his sister.
With a chuckle, he shakes his head. “I think Alexis is going to be fucking ecstatic to be an auntie.” His smile slips a little. “Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, I should probably call the company doing the remodel and tell them we’ll need abigger closet in the baby’s room, because Alexis will have half a wardrobe ordered before you hit your second trimester.”
24
Break and Bake Isn’t Just For Cookies
Leo
“THANKS FOR COMING, man.” I shake Gavin’s hand, giving him a slap on the shoulder before turning to look up at my parents’ house. “At least this way there will be witnesses if they try to kill me.”
I was planning to come here alone. No way would I put Maddie in a position where someone makes her feel responsible for their reaction. She’s had enough of that to deal with from her parents.
“You really think they’re going to be that upset?” Gavin asks.
At this point, I don’t know what to expect from my parents. My mother has called to check in on me a few times over the past month, and didn’t give me shit when I told her I didn’t want them at my first home match. Until I’m confident they will treat Maddie with the kindness and care she deserves, they don’t get to be around her.
“It could go either way. I think they’ve accepted that Maddie and I are going to be together, but this is a whole different level.” Especially considering mine and Maddie’s decision to make our relationship official.
In the matrimonial sense.
“I know they’re not perfect, but I don’t think they are bad people.” Gavin seems thoughtful. “Babs and Dan have their issues, but at the end of the day they genuinely love you and Alexis and want you to be happy.”
I hope that’s the case, because I don’t know how we will be able to move forward if they won’t accept Maddie.
“I guess we should get this show on the road.” I’m not looking forward to this, but I do want to have it done and over with. I want to get home to Maddie. I want to make sure she is feeling as okay as possible.
And I want to start our life together. I know there are still plenty of loose ends that have to be tied up. Her divorce, her apartment, all the court proceedings we are involved in thanks to Drake, my travel schedule. We’ve got a lot of decisions to make and plenty of work ahead of us.
But it will be worth it when Maddie can finally enjoy her life.
Our life.
Gavin stays right at my side as we walk up and onto my parents porch. My mother looks a little surprised to see us both standing there, her blue eyes darting back and forth between us a few times before she steps back, making room for us to come in.
“I wasn’t expecting a visit from you boys today.” Babs is clearly trying to figure out what the fuck is going on. She’s scanning me and Gavin from head to toe, like there is some hint of our intentions hiding in plain sight. “Is everything okay?”
Like Maddie did with her parents, I don’t try to ease my way in. I simply lay it out. “I asked Maddie to marry me.” When mymother doesn’t immediately start freaking out the way Maddie’s did, I take it as a good sign and continue. “And we are going to have a baby in the fall.”
“You got her pregnant?” My dad’s voice comes into the room before she does. When Dan rounds the corner, I’m a little surprised that he doesn’t look angry.
Maybe a little disappointed, but not angry.
“I did.” I look between my parents, standing straighter. Daring them to say something out of hand. “I’m going to be a dad, which means you might have the opportunity to be grandparents.” I keep my voice firm when I say, “but I won’t have anyone do anything that might upset Maddie, so if you aren’t going to accept us being together, then I don’t want you involved.”
Part of me expects my dad to argue. To yell. To tell me I’m ruining Maddie’s life. For him to continue beating the same drum he has been wailing on since Christmas.
But my dad doesn’t do any of that.
“Parenting is hard, son. That’s something you’re about to find out.” He walks toward where Gavin and I stand. “You want to protect your kids no matter how old they are, and sometimes go about it the wrong way.” He scrubs one hand over his face. “I shouldn’t have said the things I did about you dating Maddie, but I said them because I was worried about both of you.” He glances at my mom, and she offers what appears to be a reassuring nod. “It’s been brought to my attention that I might not communicate my feelings well. I’m trying to be better at it, and I hope you’ll give me the chance to show you.”
Of all the things I expected to hear from my dad today, this confession wasn’t even on my radar. It leaves me stunned intosilence. I’m not the only one, because Gavin is staring at my dad with the same open-mouth expression I am.
My mom reaches out to pat him on the arm. “Your dad and I have been doing a lot of talking the past couple of months and agreed we could have handled our reaction to your relationship with Maddie better.” Her eyes are soft as they fix to mine. “We are so sorry, honey.”
