“Because all this time I’ve been wondering about the woman who raised you ... and I’ve already met her.”
He squeezes my hand and pulls my attention back to him, his eyes softening with his relaxed smile. “It’s good, right? Now there’s no pressure the next time you see her.”
“Ha! Nice try. Maybe less pressure, but last time it wasn’t a proper introduction. I was there to meet a band, not my boyfriend’s mom.” As soon as the words leave my lips his smile fades, his hand tightens around mine, and if his stare could set a fire, I’d go up in flames.
“You know how much it turns me on when you call me your boyfriend?” His gaze darts around the empty hall and at finding no one around, presses me against the block wall.
“How about you show me?”
A low growl erupts from his mouth before it covers mine. The rough wall scrapes against my back as he pushes closer and I melt into his kiss. He takes the lead, earning total control as his lips go from sweet to demanding. My pulse races when he pulls away. “Maybe we don’t need to meet Sean’s parents.”
Laughter escapes my belly and I attempt to tug him back to the door, but his feet are firmly planted. “Nice try, rock star, but you said this was important. Let’s go.”
“You’re more important to me, Lexi.” His words hold more weight than they should and his gaze lingers until my body feels flushed. He reaches out and pulls open the door with a roll of his eyes, then holds it wide with an easy smile. “Fine. Let’s hurry and do this so I can do you.”
I step in front of him, throwing him a better eye roll, and shake my head. “Such a romantic. How ever did I get so lucky?”
He walks behind me, his arm reaching around my waist to touch me. His soft chuckle at my ear covers my skin in gooseflesh. “Oh, but I’m the lucky one.”
The room is practically empty, the usual barrage of scantily clad women is absent, and I wonder if that’s Sean’s doing. Even Iz seems exceptionally lucid; the only thing between his lips is the vape I gave him. A few suits, probably sponsors or industry professionals, stand around to chat. Bedo waves as we pass. My nerves thrum through my fingers as we make our way across the room to Sean and his parents, but Trent holds me steady in his grip.
Sean’s smile is easy and his laughter contagious. His mom talks with the same joy, and her hands add non-stop animation to her words. His parents aren’t what I envisioned. Maybe that’s judgmental on my part, but they don’t seem to be two people with a rock star for a son. Mrs. Willis is only a few inches taller than me, and her silver hair is cut short, accentuating her full face. Dressed in a simple pink top and matching cardigan, and a floral patterned floor-length skirt, she appears ready to teach kindergarten, or maybe head to church. Mr. Willis is no more formal in his khaki slacks and short sleeve shirt, though he must be where Sean inherited his height. The two stand side by side, and when they laugh you can easily spot the resemblance. Mr. Willis’ mustache moves with his smile, and despite their conservative appearance, Sean’s parents can’t contain the pride for their son’s success in the music world.
“Mom, Dad,” Sean interrupts as soon as he catches my stare. “This is Lexi Marx.”
“Oh, honey, it’s so great to meet you.” Mrs. Willis pulls me into a tight squeeze before I can even say hello.
Sean winks, and a chuckle escapes his lips as they tug up with his smile. “Mom’s a hugger.”
“I am.” She releases me, but holds my stare with a wide smile. “It is so lovely to meet you, Lexi. Sean’s told us so much about you. I’m so glad you’re on their bus, too. They need more women on this tour. I only hope they’ve been treating you with respect.” Her words flow in a bubbly, friendly effort, and I can’t help but return her smile.
I open my mouth to reply, and catch Sean’s wide eyes, as if he’s nervous.
Trent’s arm comes around my waist, his lips lower to my ear, and he whispers so only I can hear, “Sean’s worried you’re gonna rat him out about the panties.”
It’s all I can do to not burst into laughter, but I decide to put Sean’s fears to rest. “Oh, your son has been the perfect gentleman. It’s nice to meet you both.” I nod at his father.
“If he’s not, you best tell me, because he was raised right. I worry about him, though. All this pomp and circumstance can go to the ego.”
“Mom, stop.” Sean rubs a hand over his face but you can tell he’s not really irritated.
“What? Just because you’re grown, you think my job is done? I’m always your mama and I’ll still whoop your ass.”
Trent shakes with contained laughter, but I can’t hold back the giggle that escapes my lips.
Mrs. Willis turns back to me and for a second I think she might reprimand me for my outburst, but she surprises me again with her smile. “This boy was a little hell raiser, I tell you. When he was ten he snuck the keys to my Oldsmobile and took a joy ride!”
“Now, that’s a story I’ve gotta hear,” I respond.
Sean shakes his head, his grin permanently fixed on his face. “What can I say? Everyone else was driving; I wanted in on the action.”
“Your sisters were in college!” his mom yells.
Sean shrugs and the twinkle in his eyes hints at his deviant behavior. “I was paying attention when Dad gave them lessons. Not bad for my first time behind the wheel, considering.”
Mr. Willis shakes his head but Mrs. Willis slaps Sean’s arm.
“Don’t let him fool you,” she says to me before pinning him with a glare. “It would have gone better had you not taken out the neighbor’s mailbox, and Mr. Calloway’s dog.”
“I barely maimed him.” Sean shoots me a guilty look.
“The dog couldn’t walk for weeks!” Mrs. Willis shouts.
“He made a full recovery.”
“You see what we had to deal with? We’re lucky you made it to eighteen without spending time behind bars. Lord.” She shakes her head, but smiles when Sean pulls her into his side for a hug.
The two continue to go back and forth, and we’re entertained by the stories they recall. Sean’s dad doesn’t say much, but he manages a few zingers here and there that have us rolling. This is how a normal family behaves, but I’ve never really witnessed it firsthand—a nuclear unit in which there’s mutual respect and love.
My eyes prick and I have to blink away tears as it hits me that this is what I’ve always wished for. Love that’s unconditional and untainted by selfish motives. How different would my life have been had I been granted parents such as these? I’m not exactly jealous, but I feel unsettled as sadness washes over me with the realization of what could have been. I try not to think of Trent’s words, his urging to say a final good-bye to my dying father, but it nags regardless. For the first time in probably forever, I question whether I’ve made the right decision.
