“It’s no big deal.” I shrug. “Having Zoey and her mom helped a lot over the years.” My throat grows tight.
“I was surprised when I found out you were a Harlow. Your great grandfather invented plastic.”
“He did. Have you been googling me?” This time it’s him that shrugs.
“Why were you surprised?”
“You’re not snotty.”
I snort a laugh. “Your parents have money and you’re not snotty. Bossy but not snotty.” It’s the truth. The way his parents interacted at the game, not only with one another but with everyone around them showed what kind of people they are.
“You enjoy me being bossy.”
I turn my head to look out the window to hide my smile. I do, much more than I’m willing to admit. He reaches over and takes my hand. “My parents are sweet. Don’t stress over meeting them. They are really easygoing. Down to earth.”
“I don’t want them to get the wrong idea.” I bite my bottom lip. “I was wearing your shirt this morning. I looked…” I trail off, not sure of the word I’m looking for.
“Well fucked.”
“No. You haven't fucked me.” His hand holding mine tightens.
“I recall fucking you with my tongue.” I squeeze my legs together, getting turned on as easy as him flipping a switch.
“Bear!” I gasp.
“You turn the same pretty pink when you orgasm as you do when you blush.” I roll my eyes. My body starts to heat. This is so not the time to get turned on. Bear has awoken my sex drive with that dirty mouth and his filthy words.
He turns into a driveway that is blocked off by a giant gate. He hits a button, and it swings up, allowing him to pull in. A cute house that reminds me of the one in the movie Father of the Bride comes into view as we get to the top of the hill.
“I love this house. It’s adorable.” My parents’ house is big to a degree that makes it gaudy. This, however, is perfect. It’s a real home. I can tell that without even having stepped inside yet. I’m sure Bear has fond memories of growing up here. His mom and dad look as though they were the perfect parents. “Are your parents a New Age Leave It to Beaver family?”
“I suppose so.” He puts his truck into Park. He hops out, coming around to open the door for me.
“I forgot to bring something!” I’m really messing this whole meet-the-parents thing up.
“It’s fine.” He takes my hand.
“I can’t go in empty handed. I’m already not on great terms with your mom.”
“She’s going to like you,” he says for the twentieth time. I’m not buying it. Before I can protest more, the front door swings open.
“You brought her!” His mom runs out the front door, engulfing me in a giant hug. She holds me tight. It reminds me of one of Zoey’s mom, Quinn’s, hugs. An unexpected wave of emotion hits me hard. Tears sting the back of my eyes. She pulls back to look at me. “You’re so beautiful.” She takes me by the hand and begins to lead me inside.
“Mom.” Bear tries to stop her, calling after us. She’s already got me into the house.
“Your dad is in the living room,” she tosses over her shoulder at him. “Would you like something to drink? I was about to make some tea.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Sit here.” She motions to one of the high-top chairs in the kitchen that sits at the giant island. The kitchen is breathtaking, and it has nothing to do with the design but the fact that it looks like a real kitchen people use. She has a million things spread across the counter she must be cooking with.
I notice the apron she has on says hot stuff coming through. Between the giant hug and the apron, I start to relax. Not everyone that comes from money is like my mother.
It’s then I realize that’s why I’ve been so nervous. I was thinking that she would be judging my every move, the same way my mom does when I’m in her company.
“So tell me about yourself. I want to hear it all.”
“Not much to tell.”
“Don’t be shy. I watched some of your videos online with Zoey. I feel like I know you already.”
“You watched my videos?”
“Of course I did. I had to see who the girl was that finally caught my Theo’s attention. You know, he’s never brought a girl home before.”
The smile on her face is infectious. I don’t think either of my parents know about the blog Zoey and I do. Never mind them bothering to actually take an interest and watch a few videos off it. That’s something they would never do.
I take that back—my mom would probably watch them but only to have more ammunition to criticize me with. That I need to grow up. That I’ll never make a living off it. We are already receiving sponsorships.
‘He’s never brought a girl home?” I want to do some getting to know Bear myself.
“Nope. Everything is always football this or football that. Don’t get me wrong, I love that he’s getting to do what he wants, but throw a mom a crumb here. How am I ever going to get grandbabies if the man won’t go out on a date?” She gives me an apologetic look I don’t understand. “I got so desperate I tricked him into a date. That’s coming back to bite me in the butt now and reminding me of why I should mind my own damn business. His father tried to warn me, but I insisted that I knew what I was doing.”
“Tricked him into a date?” I laugh as she tells me the story of setting him up with Tiffany. Now I get the apologetic look.
“To be honest, I met Bear that night so I guess you had a part in us meeting.” I love her smile, it's genuine.
“Bear?” She sets a wooden box in front of me filled with different types of tea bags.
“He reminds me of a big bear. He can be growly when he doesn't get his way.”
“Really?” She tilts her head to the side, staring at me. “His father is like that too but more so when it comes to me.” She lets out a small laugh. “I always love that I get a different side to my husband than everyone else. He’s always so easygoing, but with me he can get all worked up. Guess that apple didn't fall far from the tree.” She finishes making the tea, all the while peppering me with questions. “You want kids one day?”
I cough, setting my cup down. That came out of left field. My mind flashes to last night when Bear came inside of me. That should have freaked me out, but all it did was turn me on. Bear did it again a few hours ago. Neither one of us have brought up the fact that I might get pregnant. Which is nuts because I’m still technically a virgin.
“One day,” I get out. I do want kids. I’ve always dreamed of having a real family of my own. One that would know how much I loved them.
“Sorry.” She doesn't look sorry because she’s still rocking that smile. “I have this feeling you’re the one for him. A mother knows these things.”
“To be honest, Alice, I’m not sure what Bear and I are.”
“You gave him a nickname and now you’re at his parents’ for dinner.” She has a point there.
“He might get in trouble for dating me.” I drop my eyes down to my tea. I don’t want to think about that.