Autumn walks with me to the parking garage, where we proceed to make out like horny teenagers. The thought of being with her in the backseat of my car overwhelms my senses. I push her away. There are cameras watching us, and the last thing either of us needs is for security to hone in on the rocking SUV. Comical as it might be, the embarrassment would be too much for either of us. With one last kiss goodbye, I climb into my car and start thinking of the most disgusting things I can. It would not bode well for me to show up at the practice facility with a hard-on.
Thirty-Five
Autumn
For the first time ever, I hate my job. It’s raining, and it’s Sunday. In the world of football, these two things do not go hand-in-hand. On Friday, I promised clear skies for the game today. However, a shift in the weather pattern—that no one could predict—has the city of Portland under a constant drizzle. The rain cloud is content to hang over us all day, making for a very wet football game. Things probably wouldn’t be so bad if I weren’t dating the Pioneers wide receiver and planning to attend the game. Take those two things out of the equation, and you’d find me nestled on my couch, with a blanket over my legs and a good book in my hands.
Last night, instead of spending time with Julius and the kids, I gave myself a mini spa treatment. After a long soak in the tub, I did the whole self-care thing with an at-home mani and pedi, plucked, trimmed, and cut where needed, and put on the best mud mask I’ve ever used. I feel nights like this will be hard to come by once football is over. I’m not complaining at all, but I’m also unsure if I’m ready for the change. There is very little doubt in my mind that I’m in love with Julius. However, loving him means loving Reggie and Roxy, which is easy to do. I just don’t know what my role is or should be. With Roxy, things are simple. We’re already close, but Reggie—he’s going through a lot, and at eight, I can’t begin to comprehend how he must feel. He probably feels like his world is falling apart and doesn’t see that his father is doing everything he can to protect him.
I’m putting on the last of my cold-weather gear when there’s a knock at my door. I look through the peephole, and my heart jumps at the sight of two of my most favorite people. I open the door and squeal as I leap into my mother’s waiting arms. When she lets me go, my father welcomes me into his.
“What are you guys doing here?” Even though I was in Texas, I couldn’t see my parents. Leaving the approved area wasn’t allowed, and since I was technically on a job interview, I couldn’t go off on my own.
“We’re here to visit,” my dad says. I bring them into my apartment, and he sets their luggage down.
“Oh, sweetie, you have a view,” mom says as she goes to the slider.
“It’s not much, but I enjoy it.” I open the door, and she steps out. The balcony is only wide enough for a small chair and table. Unlike Peyton and Noah’s terrace or even Julius’s, I won’t be having any parties out here any time soon.
“Beautiful, but very cold.” Mom crosses, rubs her arms, and then heads back inside. I give my parents the tour. It’s small but homey, and I’ve done a lot to make it my own. When they finally settle on the couch, I ask again why they are here.
“Do you want us to leave?” my dad asks.
“No, not at all. I’m happy you’re here,” I tell them. “A slight hint or notice would’ve been nice, though. I have plans today, but I’ll cancel them, and we’ll go sightseeing or something.”
“Nonsense.” My mom bats away my statement.
“I do believe tickets are waiting for us at will-call and a promise of a luxury box and tour of the stadium.”
My mouth drops open. “I’m sorry, did you say tickets?” What the heck is going on?
Dad nods and has a big cheesy grin on his face. “Sure did. I’ve never sat in a suite before. Probably a good thing since it’s raining out, and I didn’t bring an umbrella.”
“Wait,” I say. “Can you please explain what’s going on?” Before my parents can answer, my phone rings, and a picture I took of Julius, Reggie, and Roxy shows on the screen. “Excuse me for a minute.” I take my phone and head into my bedroom. “Hey.”
“Hi. How’s your morning?”
“Well, it’s turned out to be a pretty great one.”
“Is that so?” he asks with a chuckle.
“Hmm, you wouldn’t have anything to do with my parents being here, would you?”
Another laugh. “Thanksgiving is next week, and I thought it would be nice for your parents to spend it with you, and hopefully the kids and me.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say other than thank you. I don’t even want to know how you pulled this off or got a hold of my parents.”
“Well, you can say you’ll spend Thanksgiving with us. I promise delicious food, amazing company, and only two football games, followed by some college basketball. And yes, please don’t ask. I don’t want my source to get into trouble over this. It’s all meant to make you smile.”
“I’m smiling, and you know I’ll be there. I want to warn you, though, my father is a huge sports fan, so you probably have a best friend for life.”
“I’m counting on it, Autumn. I’ve sent a car to pick you up. There’s a luxury suite waiting for you and your parents. Plus, they can buy whatever they want at the fan stores inside the stadium. Everything is taken care of.”
I sigh. “What about the kids? And your parents? I don’t want to leave them out.”
“Are you sure?” he asks.
“Julius, if we are going to do this relationship thing, I want to be in one-hundred percent. Are we moving fast? Yep, we are, but we’re too deep to slow down now. Besides, you’re going to meet my parents, and I’ve already met yours. You might as well make it one big happy family in the suite. And I want to be with Roxy and try to bond with Reggie.”
“I don’t know how I got so lucky, especially when I don’t deserve you, Weather Girl.”
“Just remember what you said when it downpours on you later.”
Julius laughs. “I’ll see you at the game.”
My dad is giddy with excitement on our way to the stadium. Julius texted after we hung up that his parents and the kids would meet us at the suite and not to worry about them riding with us. It’s a bummer because I think the kids and my dad would have a blast together as he’s currently standing up through the sunroof.
“He’s going to hurt himself,” my mother says with a shake of her head. “He’s such a child.”
I can’t help but laugh. “The hospital isn’t far from the stadium, and the team has an amazing medical staff if Dad needs something.”
My mom stares at me for a minute, and I can’t help but feel scrutinized. I straighten my jacket and brush my hand over my hair. It’s an automatic response to someone gawking. After what feels like an eternity, I finally say, “What?” My tone is a bit harsher than I suspected.
“You’re different,” she tells me. “When I saw you in Dickinson, you seemed sad, withdrawn.”