Chapter 21
Lacey
It’s my birthday.
My parents made the five hour drive to take me to the nearest Red Lobster for dinner. A lot of people might not want to spend their twentieth birthday with their parents but it’s been my birthday tradition since I was seven.
Those cheddar biscuits are addictive.
As we get ready to leave there’s another knock on the door. I’m surprised to find Max standing in my doorway with a bouquet of bright pink roses and a nervous smile.
“Happy birthday, angel.”
I recover from my surprise and step aside to let him in. “Thank you. I didn’t think you remembered.”
He hadn’t texted me all day and I had barely mentioned my birthday in passing. I purposefully had it hidden on my social media accounts, not fond of the barrage of attention from people that otherwise ignored me year round.
“I remember everything you tell me.”
“I’m impressed.”
He leans in for a kiss, not yet noticing my parents on the couch. Apparently it doesn’t end soon enough for my dad because he clears his throat. Max jumps in surprise, almost dropping the vase of roses.
I roll my eyes.
“Max, this is my mom,” I gesture to her and she waves sweetly. “And this is my dad.” I gesture to him as he stands up and reaches for a handshake. After a brief hesitation Max rushes to meet him in the middle of the living room and shakes his hand.
He shoots me a nervous look and smiles back at my dad with confidence.
“Nice to meet you, sir.”
If I didn’t know him so well I would have thought he was perfectly at ease. But I could see the small hint of tightness around his mouth. His slightly stiff posture. The way he shoved his hands back in his pockets after shaking my dad’s hand.
“Call me Ron.”
“Ok. Ron. I was just dropping this off for Lacey.” He lifts the vase awkwardly and turns to set it down on the table.
“Lacey didn’t mention a boyfriend. How long have you been seeing each other?”
“A few months, Dad.”
I glare at dad for his gruff tone and blunt questions but he pretends not to notice. His gaze stays laser focused on Max. Mom comes over and gives Max a warm hug, shooting Dad an identical glare. He takes heed to her silent warning and shuts his mouth.
“Oh, ignore him honey. I’m glad you stopped by. I’m Sherrie.”
He hugs her back loosely as if he doesn’t quite know what to do. His hands go right back into his pockets when she lets him go.
“Are you coming to dinner with us?” My mom asks.
Put on the spot, Max looks between us. “Um, I…I was really just dropping off the flowers and I don’t want to intrude.”
“Oh, nonsense. Of course you’re coming with us.”
“Well, I-” He starts but she cuts him off.
“Please Max, join us. Red Lobster. Lacey’s favorite restaurant.”
He laughs at the restaurant choice, shoulders loosening.
“Red Lobster?” He teases me.
“Don’t judge me.” I push his shoulder playfully. “Those biscuits are to die for.”
And that’s how Max ends up joining us for dinner. The four of us ride to the restaurant together. Dad warms up to Max on the ride and by the time he parks the car the two of them have their own conversation going.
Despite being nervous as hell at first, he charms both of my parents before we even order appetizers. I enjoy the warm gooey cheesy bites of biscuits as I watch Max laugh at one of my dad’s lame jokes.
He’s completely at ease now. There’s no sign of discomfort or awkwardness in his mannerisms anymore.
He actually seems to be enjoying himself.
His hand rests on my thigh under the table, hidden from their view. He doesn’t try to heat things up by moving his hand further up my leg. He simply lets it rest there. The warm touch and weight of his hand on my leg feels nice.
Comfortable.
We finish eating and Dad insists on paying the bill. Max insists on leaving the tip.
They drop us back off at my apartment and give us both a hug goodbye, telling me they love and miss me. I promise to call them the next day and they head back home cheerfully.
“You two have a nice night.” Mom calls out as she climbs in the car.
I can see the glint in her eye before she leaves. She plans to ask me more about Max on the phone as soon as he’s out of earshot tomorrow.
As soon as I shut and lock the front door I turn to Max. “I am so sorry. They’re a handful.”
“They’re amazing.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. They’re so nice. I didn’t think they would just welcome me like that.” He sounds in awe of the simple gesture.
“I wasn’t sure how they would act tonight to be honest. I’ve never introduced them to a guy.”
“Never? Not even in high school?”
“No. I didn’t date in high school really. My first serious boyfriend was….”
“Don’t think about him.” He reaches for me and pulls me closer. I stand between his splayed legs as he leans casually against the back of my couch. “You’re with me now.”
I kiss him chastely and pull away. There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask but haven’t found the courage until now.
“Where’s your mom?”
He pauses and sucks in a slow, deep breath. “She died.”
“I’m sorry.” I grab his hands in each of mine. “What was she like?”
“She loved the beach. That’s one of the reasons I go there so much.”
“What happened to her?”
He clears his throat and his eyes don’t quite meet mine.
He’s about to lie. Or at the very least omit the truth. I can’t even begin to imagine why he would need to lie about his mom’s death but it’s plain as day in his body language.
“Boating accident. She drowned.”
His voice cracks and he clears his throat. My heart aches in realization that this must be why Max doesn’t like to swim.