“For what? You did all the work.”
He shakes his head. “For being here. For being you.” He leans in and kisses me. And right there, on center ice, my heart melts.
Chapter 21
Ian
Objectively speaking,the Laurel Highlands is a beautiful place—all those green rolling hills, the vast mountains. It’s no surprise that people vacation here or that we have some of the best hiking in the region. But driving back to Laramie brings back a lot of emotions—good and bad.
There's a part of me that's still stuck in middle school. That wants to ask how many of the people who made my life hell follow me on QT now?I want to rent one of these billboards and let them see that I'm not just the kid who wore eyeliner for my 7th grade pic. I’m not just the kid they teased mercilessly. I got over them and their hatred. I left, partially so my family wouldn’t have to endure that anymore. I’m making something of myself, no thanks to the small-minded people who judged me for being different.
But as much as driving these roads gives me anxiety, Booker’s loving every minute of it. He’s pointing out every sign, and every time we drive by a pasture, he says, “Look, cows!” We pass a giant billboard for the Gael Games, a yearly festival celebrating all things Celtic, and Booker practically jumps up and down with excitement.
“Oh my gosh, Ian, we need to enter you. Do you think they’d make you wear a kilt? Is it true what they say about kilts?”
“I’m the wrong person to ask. We’re Irish, not Scottish.” At his look of disappointment, I give in. “If it’s a fantasy for you, I’ll bend the rules.”
Not much later, we pull into the driveway, grab our bags, and head inside. My mom fusses over Booker, as I knew she would. She stocked all his favorite snacks and stowed them in a cabinet above the fridge. She made fried chicken for dinner, but she grilled a few pieces just for him. Over dinner, he talks sports with my dad, then listens intently while my brothers talk about the rising price of grain.
After dinner, PJ and Katie put the kids to bed and we all settle in the living room to watch T.V. My brothers and dad love theDie Hardmovies, so even though it’s not Christmas, we’re about to sit here and watch Bruce Willis face off against Alan Rickman.
Katie and PJ are on one loveseat, while Booker and I are curled up on the other. My parents are happily cuddled up on the couch. Luke attempts to squeeze in between them, but they’re not having it.
“This is no fair. Where can I sit?” he grumbles.
“There’s a chair right there,” PJ says, pointing to Polly’s princess beanbag. Like the sulky, overgrown child that he is, Luke plops down onto it. Fixing Polly’s plastic crown on his head, Luke declares, “Ok, I’m ready. You can start the movie now.”
“Hold up,” PJ says, turning to Katie and then back to all of us. “Now that the kids are asleep and the rest of us are all here, Katie and I have some news.”
“Oh my God, did you get her pregnant? Again?”
PJ tosses a pillow at Luke’s head, knocking the plastic crown to the floor.
“Wow. Way to steal our thunder,” Katie pouts.
The room goes silent. My mom squeals, and Luke starts laughing. “Wait, are you for real right now?” he asks.
“Yep,” Katie smiles broadly and reaches for PJ’s hand.
“Baby number four,” I say with awe. “Wow. Congratulations.”
We all settle back into our spots, and Luke replaces the crown that PJ knocked off his head. As the movie begins, I look around the room. I’ve always loved these people, this house, but now, curled up between Booker's legs, I finally feel like I’m home.
Booker
So this is what family feels like. It's not wholly unfamiliar. Ty, Knox, and Whit are my family in every way that counts. But we're the same age; we've gone through life together. This feeling of a family unit—parents, siblings, significant others, nieces, nephews, is foreign. I’ve seen it on TV, caught glimpses in real life, but I’ve never felt like part of it until now. It's almost too much. In a good way, but still, it’s overwhelming.
We’re halfway through a double feature, so when everyone breaks for a snack, I excuse myself to the restroom to get my head together. Ian’s family is amazing. I should be having a good time. I am having a good time, but it’s like a spotlight has been shined on everything I’ve been missing.I wash my hands and lean against the door. Out of habit, I check my phone, figuring that one of the guys has texted, or maybe that Fallon reached out.
There’s a picture of Willa and Knox having a tea party, and a text from Whit asking where his favorite hoodie is. I text back, explaining that it’s in my bottom drawer, where I keep all my hoodies.
There’s also a text from my dad.
Dad:Now that hockey is over, we’ll expect to see a lot more of you around here. Your mother and I are hosting a dinner next week, and we’ve invited several good friends from church. You’ll be there, of course. We want you to meet the Richardson’s daughter, Lilian. She’s lovely and about your age. She’s ready to settle down, and by this time next year, you’ll be getting ready to graduate and work with me. The timing couldn’t be better. See you Saturday. Your mother will text you with the details.
I take a deep breath in an attempt to steady myself. Holy crap. He’s trying to marry me off. Sure, they’ve been dropping hints all year about nice girls, but this is an actual set-up. And how am I supposed to get out of it? Text back and say,Sorry dad, I already have plans for Saturday. With my boyfriend.
That wouldn’t go over well, and yet I know that I need to tell them soon. My dad will lose his mind, but at least I won’t be living a lie.
