Page 58 of Shameless
“Looking back, I should have, but I was young and dumb. Hell, it all happened only five years after you and I met, and I still had a lot of growing up to do. I envied what Brandon had with his gyms and just wanted them to think things were good for me too. Somehow, I thought that meant lying about our relationship and what Stacey was going to school for.” He grunted a laugh. “Didn’t know she’d be a cheater, or I wouldn’t have bothered.”
I snorted. “Yeah, I never thought Trey would be a cheater, either.”
He reached over and grabbed my hand and kissed the back. “But I’m telling you all of this because I finally get to be truthful with my parents. I can tell them you’re my girl and really mean it. You’ll be the first.”
“And the last?” I winked.
“Hell, yeah.”
Once we arrived at Blake’s parents’ house, he laced our fingers together with one hand and grabbed Skye’s leash with the other and led us up the long driveway. Not bothering to knock, he let himself in and we stepped into the entry that overlooked a sunken living room. After taking off my coat, he steered me toward the kitchen, where deliciousness filled the air.
“Mom, Dad.” They turned and before he could say anything else, his mom’s eyes widened and she opened her arms.
“Sarah!” She beamed. “I’m so happy to finally meet you.”
His mom, Aimee, engulfed me in a hug and I replied, “Me too.”
Me too? Was that the right response? I was second-guessing myself as my stomach churned with my nervous energy. I wasn’t sure what to make of the conversation Blake and I had on the way over, but I kept telling myself that everything he had with Stacey was in the past. Wasn’t there some song about ‘she got the boy’ or something? Whatever it was, I hoped I got the man.
“I feel like I already know you by how much Deb talks about you,” Aimee gushed.
“Really?” We pulled apart. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Blake let Skye into the backyard and then hug his father.
“She talks about you all the time.”
“She’s the best.” I smiled at Blake, who wore a look of blissfulness as he watched me interact with his mother.
“She is and I know she isn’t feeling well, which makes me worry,” Aimee said.
“Isn’t feeling well?” I asked. When I spoke with her after Mexico, she seemed to be doing fine and said her medication was working.
“Oh, you don’t know?”
Blake draped his arm across my shoulders and brought me against his side.
“Don’t know what?” I asked, still not sure she knew my aunt had Parkinson’s. I wasn’t going to spill the beans if Deb hadn’t told her.
“She came down with the flu,” Aimee replied. “Last I spoke with her, she had the chills and everything else. Roger was doing everything he could, but she said nothing was helping.”
“She didn’t mention anything when we talked on the phone,” I replied.
“Something must be going around,” Blake interjected. “A guy at the club has the flu too.”
“Deb is a strong woman. This won’t keep her down,” Blake’s father, Robert, said and then stuck out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Sarah.”
“Likewise.” I smiled and took his hand.
“So, what’s for dinner?” Blake asked.
“Deb told me you love Greek chicken tacos. I found a recipe online and, well, I hope it’s good.” She smiled meekly.
“I’m sure it will be. Is there anything I can help with?”
“Not at all. Would you like some iced tea?” Aimee turned toward the fridge.
“I would love some.”
* * *
