“That’s cool.”
We both stand as my mom sweeps into the room all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. “Nick, this is my husband Ted.”
Dad pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose, then reaches out to shake Nick’s hand. “Hell of a game against Clemson, son.”
“Thank you, sir.”
I’m filled with pride for Nick. “I was there, Dad. It was even better in person.”
He shakes his head. “You lucky duck.”
Nick puts his hand on my back. “Sir, I was wondering if I could take Abby out for a drive. Maybe get a bite to eat.”
My dad puffs up like a little rooster. “I’m sure she’d love that.”
“Hello? I’m right here.” My parents are acting weirder than usual.
Mom motions to me. “Honey, why don’t you go change out of your pajamas. We’ll grill Nick in the meanwhile.”
Nick chuckles, and I let out a breath of relief that he’s not weirded out.
I turn to him. “If you talk about football, they won’t care about anything else.”
My mom clucks. “Not true. I have every intention of asking him if he’s the reason you’ve been so upset.”
Nick’s smile drops, and I grab his hand again and give him a hesitant smile. “I think… we’re working things out?”
He takes a deep breath. “I should’ve introduced you as my girlfriend that day with Gemma’s parents. I’m sorry I didn’t.”
My heart beats erratically as we stare at each other, and I clear my throat. “Is that what you want?”
“More than you know.”
Behind me, my mom squeaks the way she does whenever we watch romcoms. “Y’all are too cute! Aren’t they cute, Ted?”
“They’re almost as adorkable as us,” my dad says.
Nick and I laugh. “Go get your coat so I can take you on that date.”
I lift my eyebrows. “A date, huh?”
“It’s long overdue.”
46
ABIGAIL
“You feel like eating ice cream?” Nick asks as he drives. “It’s not too cold for that?”
“Not when I’m all cozy warm in your letterman.” I saw it sitting in the passenger seat, so I stripped off my coat and tugged it on. “Besides, I’ve been craving butter pecan all week.”
He chuckles and squeezes my hand as he drives with the other. “Thank you for the jacket. You’re the sweetest.” He’s quiet as he drives for a few minutes. “I got the letterman the day after you left. I was so fucking miserable. I texted you a million times. Did you read any of them?”
I’m starting to feel bad I took off the way I did. “No. At first, I wasn’t ready, but then I lost my phone when I was doing late-night laundry at that twenty-four-hour Laundro-rama.”
“Baby, that place is dangerous. Weirdos loiter around there.”
“I swear I was careful, and Paige was with me.” I snuggle deeper into his jacket. “So what did you text me?”
