Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“David, you don’t have to move.”
“Yes, he does,” Ladd said, holding the passenger door open for me.
I went to get in, then stopped. “What if they don’t like me?”
“They already love you, like he said,” David called out, as Ladd smiled and nodded.
On the drive, David and Ladd talked about the football game from the previous weekend and their holiday plans for this year. They were both returning home to their family’s ranch, which wasn’t a surprise to me. They clearly loved their family, and his parents came to visit them once every couple of months just to go out to dinner with David and Ladd.
The entire time, my mind spun with different emotions. I was excited to meet Ladd’s parents because I’d heard so much about them. But what if they started asking questions about my family? Ladd had quickly figured out I didn’t like to talk about them, so he’d eventually stopped asking. But his parents would want to know as much as possible about the woman their son was dating.
I tried to push down the feeling of dread as I remained silent in the car while the guys chatted. I could do this. I would give them simple answers to their questions. I could answer without really answering. I did it all the time.
Before I knew it, Ladd was pulling into the driveway of the house he shared with his brother and roommates.
David got out of the car and leaned through my window to kiss me on the cheek, causing me to jump.
“Lost in thought, Vivianne?” he asked with a smile. “Don’t worry. Like I said, they’re going to love you.” He tapped on the side of the car and said, “See you soon!”
“See you later,” Ladd called before slowly pulling out and heading toward my place.
I jumped when he took my hand in his.
“Hey, are you really that nervous about meeting my parents?”
“It is a big step on the relationship ladder, isn’t it?” I asked.
He laughed, then sobered up when I didn’t even crack a smile.
Lifting my hand, he kissed the back of it. “If you’re not ready to meet them, you don’t have to. We’ve only been dating for a few months, and it is a big step. I don’t want to push you into anything you’re not ready for.”
I drew in a breath and let it out. “I do want to meet them, honestly, I do. I’m just…well…what if they start asking questions about my parents?”
“Trust me, they won’t.”
Letting out a humorless laugh, I asked, “And how do you know that?”
He shrugged. “Because I told them not to.”
My eyes widened. “You did?”
Squeezing my hand, Ladd briefly met my gaze. “It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out you’re estranged from your mom and dad, Viv. You work two jobs, and you study your ass off to keep your grades up. I’m guessing that’s because you have academic scholarships. I never asked you because it’s none of my business. I figured when you’re ready to tell me, you will. If you don’t ever want to tell me, I’m fine with that, as well.”
I could feel the burn of the unshed tears I was fighting to hold back because it was in this moment that I realized how much Ladd actually sees me—and I haven’t had that in so long. “I don’t have a family like yours, Ladd. My father and mother haven’t tried to reach out to me once in over three years.”
He frowned. “I’m not trying to pressure you at all but do you want to tell me why? I’m always here for you, babe.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to tell Ladd why my mom and dad had disowned me. I was terrified that once I did, he wouldn’t want to have anything to do with me ever again.
“Hey,” he said, gently lifting my chin so our gazes met. “Whatever secret it is you’re hiding, nothing is going to change the way I feel about you, Viv.”
Forcing myself to offer a wobbly smile, I took in a shaky breath and exhaled.
Tonight, I would tell him. I needed to tell him before he took me to meet his parents. That way, if he wanted to walk away, he could do so before we got in this any deeper.
I just prayed with all my heart he wouldn’t.
Ladd
It was clear to me that something was wrong with Vivianne tonight. Ever since I’d mentioned her meeting my parents, she’d been in a fog.
And now, she didn’t respond when I promised that whatever she was hiding, it wouldn’t change anything between us.
We walked into her quiet house, and Vivianne went to the kitchen and straight to the refrigerator. “Do you want a beer before I go shower and change?”
I walked up behind her and leaned in so I could whisper in her ear, “We’ve got plenty of time to shower together.”