"Dinner with my parents this evening. Nothing else that I know of, right, babe?" Crew asks.
He just called me "babe" in front of my parents and let the fact slip that we both are indeed doing the family thing today. Together.
"Do your parents live around here?" Mom asks. I can already see her wheels spinning. If this gets serious, will he want to take me away? It's the jinx of being an only child.
"They do. Just on the other side of town, about fifteen minutes from the club."
Mom beams at this information.
"It just kind of worked out that way today. Crew already had plans with his parents and asked me to join them. He was with me when you called, so we figured why not make a day of it." It's not until the words are out of my mouth that I realize my parents have more than likely put two and two together and realize why Crew was at my house just a little after nine this morning. They know I'm not some virginal angel, but I like to keep that shit locked up tight when the parents are around. No need to air the dirty laundry.
"Have you met his parents?" Dad asks. He's on to me, for sure.
"Yeah, actually. They stopped by the club and I met them."
"Speaking of, why don't you all come by this week? Berklee can show you around," Crew offers.
"Yes. That sounds exciting. We've been meaning to but didn't want to intrude," Mom says.
"No intrusion. You're family," Crew states matter-of-factly.
"So, have you all decided on your trip this year for your anniversary?" I ask, changing the subject. Mom and Dad start talking about the Alaskan cruise they're planning for their anniversary next August.
The conversation flows and the next thing I know over three hours have passed. I look over at Crew. "We should probably get going."
"Whenever you're ready," he says, leaning in and placing his arm on the back of my chair.
"Don't let us keep you." Mom stands. "We'll stop by one day this week before the opening. Crew, good luck to you," she says sincerely.
"Thank you, but I've got this one." He taps my shoulder. "I think she's all the luck I need."
He's got them eating out of the palm of his hands. Oh, who am I kidding-he's got me doing it too. This man and his words.
We say our goodbyes and we're back in the truck on the way to his parents' house.
"Did you tell them I was coming with you?"
"No, I thought it would be funny to see the surprise on their faces. I've never brought a girl home before, so they're in for a shock." He pats my knee and lets his hand linger there.
"Crew!" I scold him. "You should've told them. I don't want to just barge in on them. Maybe you should just drop me off at my house on our way."
"Not happening. Trust me, okay? They're fine with it. In fact, they're going to be thrilled. Relax, babe."
Relax, he says. Pfft, hell of a lot easier said than done. The rest of the drive is quiet, but not uncomfortably so. I think Crew was letting me get my thoughts together, giving me time to have a mental freak-out. He knows me better than I would've thought.
"Here we are," Crew says, pulling into a long circular drive. He's out of the truck before I can ask him yet again if this is a good idea. "Come on, Berklee." Once my feet are planted on the ground, he leans down and kisses the corner of my mouth, lacing his fingers through mine and leading us to the front door. Much like at my parents,' he doesn't bother knocking. "Where is everyone?" he calls out.
"Living room," a male voice yells back-I assume Dan, his dad.
Crew leads us down the hall and into a room with a large flat-screen TV, his parents snuggled on the couch together under a blanket.
"Hey, guys." He leads us to the love seat and pulls me down with him.
"Berklee," Sarah, his mom, says with a smile. "We didn't know you were coming." She looks at Crew accusingly.
Crew chuckles. "What? Can't a guy bring his girl to his parents' house to surprise them?"
Dan's face lights up with a knowing grin and Sarah hops off the couch and rushes us, pulling first Crew and then me into a crushing hug. "When did this happen? You've been hiding her from me," she pouts.
Crew's eyes find mine and he smirks. "Not hiding, just seeing how it goes. Wanted to see what was there before we broadcasted it to the world. You know, working together and all that."
"Well come on, you two. I've got a roast and potatoes in the Crock-Pot." Sarah grabs my hand and pulls me from the couch.
"Hey now, where are you taking my girl?" Crew calls after us.
"Girl time," she fires back. I can hear Crew and Dan laughing behind us as we reach the kitchen. "Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?" she asks me.