Epilogue
I’m so incredibly nervous about meeting Everly’s dad. I don’t know why, but what if he hates me? What if he thinks I’m too old for his son? What if he thinks I suck?
I do suck sometimes.
Even though Everly doesn’t seem to think so.
“You’ll be fine,” Lee says, reaching up and patting my shoulder. We’re almost there, about twenty minutes away, and I think Lee’s noticed I’ve stopped breathing. To be fair, I’ve been hyperventilating this entire trip. Eight hours in to this drive and I’m nearly dead. I’m going to need oxygen when I arrive.
How fitting.
“He’s going to love you. I love you, so he will too,” Lee says, and I find myself blinking hard to hold back tears.
“Stop being so sappy, Lee,” I snap. “I don’t want to show up crying. That will make a terrible impression.”
Everly chuckles next to me. “Silas, it’s going to be fine. Dad is super excited to meet my boyfriend. He’s been looking forward to this all week. He even shaved so he looks presentable.”
“Oh god. I didn’t shave,” I wheeze and rub at my scruffy face.
“Don’t worry. You look hot with a beard, and I love the burn it gives me between my thighs.”
I gasp at him and then throw my thumb over my shoulder. “Your grandpa is right there!”
“He’s fine. He can’t hear me.”
Lee cackles. “I can hear just fine, Junior. Just fine indeed.”
I sink down in my seat and cross my arms over my chest.
“Fucking great.”
Everly is still chuckling when we pull into the RV park and stop the car in front of a small trailer. A man, who resembles an older Everly is waiting outside, his hands in the pockets of his worn jeans, his hair combed neatly.
Hm, if this is what Everly will look like in the future, I’ve really outdone myself.
God, I’m a lucky guy.
“There he is. You ready?” Everly asks, and I shake my head.
“I think I’ll just meet him here. He can come say hello through the window.”
Everly shakes his head as he gets out of the car and makes his way to the passenger side door. His dad is already here, helping Lee out of the car, and when Everly pulls my door open, I nearly fall into his arms.
He’s going to have to hold me up while I meet his father.
I can stand in front of hundreds of students and give a complicated lecture, but meeting Everly’s dad is going to make me faint. My knees can’t hold me up any longer. The bones have evaporated.
“Hello, Silas. I’m Joe,” his dad says, holding out his hand. “Everly’s told me so much about you.”
I nod and then squeak out a greeting before clearing my throat. “Same. I’ve been so excited to finally meet you.”
Everly beams at me and then throws an arm around his dad. Honestly, I’ll say it again. If this is what Everly is going to look like when he’s older I won’t survive it.
His dad is hot.
“Stop ogling my dad,” Everly whispers into my ear as we start to follow his dad toward the trailer. “It’s making me jealous.”
My cheeks heat, and I shove at him lightly. “I’m not ogling. I’m just imagining you in twenty years.”
“You like what you see?”
“Yes.”
“Hm, that’s good because I plan on seeing you in twenty years too.”
“I’ll make a very sad picture when compared to you.”
He snorts a laugh. “No, I doubt that. You’re the hottest man alive.”
“I may be dead by then,” I counter, and he shakes with laughter.
“You’re such a fucking negative Nancy. Come on. Dad wants to talk to you.”
“Oh god.”
“Nothing bad, just wants to get to know my man. Never brought anyone home before.”
“Really?”
He nods and kisses my cheek as we make our way over to the camping chairs Joe and Lee are perched on.
“Yeah, you’re my first. My only.”
My feet stop moving, and I glance over at him. “First and only?”
His cheeks flush pink. “Yeah, you know, because I…” He lets out a small huff. “I love you.”
I blink at him, my mouth dropping open. “What did you just say?”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I love you.”
“And you’re telling me this now!? Right before I chat with your dad?”
“Yeah, you know, just so you know that this is serious.”
I glower at him and then grab him and kiss him roughly. “I’m going to get you back for this. You love me and you tell me now. Good God, Everly.”
He nods. “I mean, do you love me too? You can say it back, you know?”
I stare at him, at that perfect face, at the way he looks at me so softly. “Of course I do. I love you Everly Winslow-O’Conner. I’ve loved you for a while now.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now let’s go talk to your dad. I need to woo him so when I ask you to marry me, he’ll give his approval.”
Now it’s Everly’s turn to stand there, shocked and confused.
Well, good.
It’s what he deserves.
My future husband.
Thanks so much for reading Full Service.