That had to be the best thing I’d heard since I woke up that morning.
CHAPTER 29
Theresa
After getting home, Miller set out to wait on me hand and foot. He insisted on doing everything for me, including sending someone to the school to pick up my missing work. Thankfully, he didn’t try to cook, instead asking Ashton to make something. He and Elena brought dinner over, and stayed to see how I was feeling.
It was a little overwhelming seeing my things in Miller’s house. The fact that he’d incorporated my things throughout the house meant the world to me. The car may have been my first purchase, but everything I owned had been something I’d worked hard for.
He truly did understand what it meant to me.
My car was a completely different story. There was nothing they could do to salvage it. After a lot of persuasion, I got Miller to agree to let me buy the car from the dealership. It was my way of making up for him paying off my loan. With those and my rent payments gone, I could actually afford a new car. Although, I had a feeling the price Miller would give me wasn’t anywhere near the actual price of the car.
I knew staying with Miller meant that he was going to buy me things, I had to learn to push those reservations aside and learn to enjoy the things he gave me.
From the conversation I’d overheard between Miller and Dean, Ray had a few bones he’d had to have surgically repaired, which would leave him in the hospital for a while. Broken bones didn’t seem enough to warrant that length of stay, but I was guessing that there was a lot about his altercation with Ray that Miller was leaving out, and being the good girlfriend I was, I decided to let him have that play and kept my nose out.
A few days after the hospital released me, Miller’s mom and dad ended up on our doorstep, bringing with them enough food to see us through the next two months.
I couldn’t control the nerves that plagued me the moment they walked into the room. I didn’t want a repeat of the first time we met.
“Mrs. and Mr. Hawes,” I said, attempting to straighten my hair that had no chance of looking nice under the circumstances.
His mom smiled. “Faith and Malcolm, please. You’re family now.”
I wasn’t really. Not yet, but the words still felt really good.
Malcolm took a seat on the couch across from Miller and I. “I want to apologize for my behavior the first time we met. I was used to Miller breaking his mother’s heart with all of the different women she’s seen him with. We had no idea how serious your relationship had become.”
“Dad.” Miller groaned, wrapping an arm around me, pulling me in tight.
Malcolm shrugged. “Like she doesn’t know your history.”
“A history that won’t be repeated,” Miller argued emphatically.
“Enough you two.” Faith turned to me. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, thank you. I would like to go back to class in a few days.”
Miller turned to me, worry lines creasing his brow. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I feel much better than I did a few days ago, and I can’t wait until the cast comes off before going back to school. Besides, I agreed to let Dean or Charlie go with me anytime you can’t.”
Miller’s dad had arranged guards for me, Elena, and Miller’s mom. It felt weird to be in a situation where I needed someone to keep me safe. Never had I imagined a world where that would be necessary.
“Don’t you dare try and stop her, Miller.” Faith’s stern tone drew my attention. He shut his mouth. It was good to know I wasn’t the only one to put Miller in his place. “Now, Miller says you want to be a nurse. Tell me all about it.”
I told her all about wanting to help people and my goals. It was a nice feeling to a have a parental figure listen and be proud of all you’d accomplished. His parents stayed for dinner, which gave me the opportunity to get to know them better. Watching them interact with each other, reminded me a lot of Miller and myself. No matter how hard and intimidating his father could be to everyone else, he never showed that side to Faith.
I hadn’t seen Miller’s dad in any other scenario so I couldn’t comment on any change in his demeanor, but the man who sat opposite me discussing ziti recipes was definitely not what I’d imagined he would be based on Miller’s stories. Then again, I’d seen firsthand how Miller could change in an instant. Maybe it was a family trait.
I looked at his mom fussing over everyone and wondered if that might be me some day; running around after our children, while Miller held court at the head of the table. In truth, I wasn’t sure if this life was for me. The secrets, the uncertainty . . . the illicitness of it all—it was a lot to take in. But if being with Miller meant accepting all that came with it, then I would give it a damn good try.