Though it’s just on the other side of the city, I haven’t stopped by since Christmas.
Sometimes it’s too hard to be where memories of Jason by my side lurk in every room, making it impossible to breathe at times.
“Great place,” Adam comments.
“The inside’s just as obnoxious, I swear.”
Adam lets out a small chuckle. “Remind me never to take you to my place.”
Once again I’m perplexed by Adam’s reluctance to let me anywhere near his family. I already know they’re wealthy, so it wouldn’t surprise me they own a sprawling estate.
But the voice of reason returns, reminding me there are darker secrets that Adam’s keeping from me. Maybe his home is a part of that.
I wrap my hand around the door handle. “I’ll call you when I’m ready for a ride. It probably won’t be until later tonight. My mom makes a big deal out of having a family dinner whenever I stop by.”
“I’ll be ready whenever you are.” I turn to step out of the car. Adam reaches out to stop me. “Hey.”
My heart races, thinking he’s going to say “screw it” and kiss me. Or he’s going to beg to come along so he can hold my hand as I break the news to my parents.
But his hand drops into his lap as he grins. “Good luck.”
As the routine goes on my dad’s days off from flying, he’s sitting at the marble island on one of the leather stools, reading the Saturday paper. His peppered blond hair looks like it’s been recently trimmed, and a new pair of black glasses set off his bright blue eyes. On the outside he’s your stereotypical handsome pilot who always looks serious and can’t be cracked, but underneath the prim and proper look, he’s an up and coming stand-up comedian. Plus, he babies me. A lot.
Mom slaves over the mixer across from him, wearing her frilly apron over a fashionable tunic and black leggings, chatting rapidly about someone I assume to be one of her new employees. From the sweet smell in the air, I’d guess she’s cooking up her famous blueberry muffins, probably in preparation for tomorrow morning’s weekly brunch with her friends. My dad hums in response, probably not hearing a word she says.
For a moment I stand in the kitchen entryway, wishing things could be like they were five years ago, before everything became so complicated. But my dad’s newly sprouted gray hair and the hard lines of my mom’s eyes are a reminder that my high school days are over, and I’m supposed to be a grown up now. Time has continued on despite my desire for it to stop.
“Hey,” I say quietly, stepping into the room.
They both gape back at me, like they’ve been slapped.
“Jewels!” Dad folds the paper down, his expression bright. “What brings you here?”
“Sweetheart,” Mom chimes in, stepping away from the mixer. Her arms wrap around me carefully like she’s afraid I’ll break if she gives me a genuine hug. “Everything okay?” All at once I’m reminded of the worried glances she gave me after I was drugged. She steps back, giving me the same distraught look.
“I’m good,” I promise, setting my purse on the island to give my dad a hug. “Can’t I just come home for a day without there being something wrong?”
Dad kisses me on the cheek before pulling me in for a much stronger hug. “We’re just surprised is all.” When I pull back from him, I catch him giving Mom a stern look.
Mom returns to my side, running her hands through my loose hair. Her lips turn down in a scowl. “You should’ve called. We have a gala tonight.”
I try not to let her see me take a deep breath. All week I’ve been dreading spending an entire day alone with my parents, knowing the questions they’d have, the deep conversations that would ensue once I told them the real reason for stopping by. And my fears were for nothing.
“That’s okay. I have plans tonight anyway,” I lie. I already told Kelly I wouldn’t go to the house party she’s planning to hit, but maybe Adam’s free. All I know is I won’t be hanging out in this big place by myself, surrounded by the ghosts of my last two years with Jason.
“We’ll take you out for a late lunch,” Dad offers, reaching for his cell phone in his pocket. “I’ll make reservations downtown.”
I shake my head. “Actually, I was kind of hoping we could stay home. I have to talk to you guys about something.”
“You’re pregnant,” Mom assumes, her eyes as large as saucers. Dad sets his phone on the counter, his expression first turning shocked then livid.
“What?” I press at the bridge of my nose, realizing how difficult this is going to be.