Looking at each other after feels beyond awkward. I'm happy she'd hugged me, I really am because, when was the last time this happened but...
People say with my looks and everything I seem to have, I must have been spoilt rotten as a kid but that was the furthest from the truth than anything else.
"You..."
"That's my boyfriend, his name is Riley. Riley , that's my dad and she's my mom."
"Little rascal!"
Thank heavens for nana... great timing. Dad seems to want to say something, or maybe do something. I don't like the look he gives Riley. Nana hugged me before she turned to look at Riley.
"Must be Riley... you're handsome up close."
"Hi nana!"
"Nice voice too."
"They are boyfriends."
"Oh! Okay! That's great right, he has everything anyone 'd want."
"Riley, feel at home, we're in the kitchen..."
"You can't cook."
"I've been learning."
"Trying to learn."
"Will it even be edible?"
"At least pretend to trust me in front of a guest."
"He's not a guest, he's home...I am not a guest..."
I could feel the hand slithering onto my waist and squeezing gently. I tell you the pout came naturally. It's true... he's home, if this is also my home that is. But he'd said to be nice... I'll be nice.
**********
Should I have told him first? He seemed happy to be here but also ready to bolt. Lunch felt strange with his mom trying her hand at communicating and nana helping out. His dad was still silent, still assessing the situation and also his son.
With how Blane behaves at their mention, I don't really want him in a worse mood. They had been shocked or something at our first meeting. I'd told nana to tell him of my arrival and I still don't think he liked that idea.
"I like your son, so much. To the point I am dating him. He and I might have known each other for a short while but I've made myself his...I am sorry about that though I'll still say, don't think of telling me to leave him... I won't."
"I think we should start from the top...like what's your name?"
"I am Riley Bellan Shore. I am nineteen heading twenty in three months."
"My son's a minor."
Don't they know he drinks and all?
"Darling?"
"He's right. It's one of the reasons we haven't gotten intimate...yet!"
"Why are we here? If you aren't..."
"Darling!"
"Before anything, don't you think it's best if we know each other first. It shows seriousness in wanting your son."
"Don't you think you're still young!"
Was I? But looking at my elder brother who's just now looking into settling down and my sister...I really am young. But I like Blane. If he has me till we're old and dying, I'll have him too.
Once the seriousness ended, we begun talking about Blane...his childhood, how he was at the moment. Though his dad was still looking at me with skepticism.
The food wasn't bad though the spicing was off...at least it wasn't damaging. I think I know that look he was giving while eating. If Blane chose to cook for me someday, I'd make sure to leave no crumbs... that's love, right?
Afterwards, I followed him to the back porch while mother, son and nana stayed back to talk.
"Thank you for bringing my son home."
"It's my pleasure!"
"The Shore family, what's your relationship with them?"
"They're my family, but don't worry about..."
"I am not really worried...your family won't make me fold so you can take my son away."
Okay, so it seems he still has an aversion to me.
"But my son looked happy today...happier than I've ever seen him I think. He no longer looks like someone who can be used."
Used?
"Were you the one who saved him that time?"
"I didn't save him."
"From jail terms... hitting someone that much brings in a ton of law suits."
"I don't even think what he did was enough."
Looking at his expression, I turn away. So, father-in-law doesn't seem to like fights, got it. But truth is, you can't just force yourself on someone and think you're right. For me, hitting them over and over...getting rid of the log that led them astray... that's the way to go.
"So, you really were the one to send them to hospital the second time, huh!"
Tsk! Now this guy was piquing my interests.
"I'd been looking for them only to find them in a worse situation than I'd intended."
"Do your parents know?"
"Sometimes parents shouldn't dig into what they shouldn't."
It's best if they didn't know that side of me. They didn't even know about country R so this wasn't part of their jurisdiction. Once they find out, they'll possibly want to know the how's and why's...a huge hussle for both me and the people involved.
"Does this mean I have something over your head?"
"Not really! Because it will be a huge help once you tell them...I am too lazy for the aftermath of that knowledge being out there though."