Chapter Fifty-Eight
Blake
O nce I got in my car to come talk to Adrian’s parents, the nausea hit me suddenly. But I couldn’t get myself to turn back. I didn’t want to.
Since his birthday six weeks ago, I haven’t been able to get our conversation out of my head. And the more I thought about it, the more it felt stupid to wait. Especially if his only excuse was he’s waiting for me to catch up. I’m five steps ahead of him now.
Part of those nerves were due to the fact he’s spent significantly more time with my family than I have with his, and even my parents were a little apprehensive. Maybe rightfully so.
It’s only been around seven months since we’ve officially been together, though actually closer to a year since the first time we saw each other in the grocery store.
Weirdly, it didn’t feel insane until after I got my parents approval—which makes no fucking sense. I should’ve felt better. Except it seemed too easy. So I’m positive that Cami and Will are going to say ‘hell no .’
I texted Cami earlier this morning, asking if it’d be okay if I went to see them for lunch. I didn’t think she’d get back to me as quickly as she did. Without asking any questions—like why Adrian wouldn’t be with me and why she couldn’t let him know—she said she was excited to see me and would make waffles. I guess Adrian mentioned that I love them to her once.
It’s the first time I’ve ever been alone with his parents, and I’ve been worried about how it would feel to be here.
As soon as I park my car, the front door is flung open to reveal a beautiful, smiling Cami leaning against the door, waiting for me. The stance is so similar to the one I’ve seen Adrian hold a hundred times over by now.
So much of Adrian’s personality comes from his mom. Their easy charm, the way they’re both quick to laugh and can make anyone feel right at home. Will, on the other hand, is more timid. He seems comfortable to let his wife take the reins of life. Like right then, I could see him peeking his head around the corner from inside, as I walked closer. He offered a swift wave before disappearing again.
“Look at you,” she gushes with her arms wide and waiting. I step into the embrace, already familiar with her open affection. “Gosh, you’re gorgeous. I can’t get over it. I’m sure my son can’t either,” she teases as she tucks me under her arm and guides me inside.
I’ve been to the Jones’s home three times now, the other two with Adrian. Still, it’s not a completely foreign place to me.
It’s different from my own parents’ home. Cami leans more modern and neutral, with pops of color rather than bright and slightly cluttered. At the same time, there’s a level of comfort that only a loving mother and father could create.
Guiding me to the island, she takes a seat in the stool next to me. “So how have you been, Blake? It was such a great surprise to hear from you this morning.”
My cheeks warm. “Sorry I didn’t bring Adri—”
She waves her hand and lifts her coffee mug. “You’re welcome to visit whenever, with or without our son.”
“Well, thank you. I actually wanted to—”
“Coffee?” Will cuts in, sliding a fresh mug my way and two different types of creamer. With a small smile I take the sugary cinnamon roll creamer and mix it in with a quiet thank you. “How was the traffic? It’s not usually too bad at this time of day, despite all that construction they’re doing; it’s unbearable sometimes.”
“It wasn’t bad,” I reassure. “Plus, I wanted to talk to you in person about thi—”
“Blake,” Camila cuts me off this time with a soft smile and a warm hand over my own. “We’re not in a rush if you aren’t.” I want to tell her that I kind of am in a rush—the longer I have to wait, the more I want to find Adrian and start our life together right now —but Adrian isn’t going anywhere and truthfully, it was a great reassurance that they both are so happy to have me at their home. “My son can wait—Lord knows he’s gotten more than enough attention in his lifetime. I want to hear about you, doll.”
I can’t help preening a little, even if tears are burning my eyes all the same. “Oh?” I ask, trying to gather my senses.
“How are you feeling about classes starting soon? There’s a lot of big changes coming up.” She gives me a knowing smile, but there’s no way she’s guessed why I’m here. It must be about the apartment we’re moving into at the end of the month.
Sipping my coffee and trying to relax, I answer her questions and throw in a few of mine as well—like how she’s enjoying the local hospital and flight nursing, or how Will’s summer courses are going.
Standing across from us, Will prepares the banana and strawberry waffles. Offering me a paternal smile when he catches my eye, as his wife throws her head back and laughs at something I said. Truthfully, it wasn’t nearly as funny as she lets me pretend it to be.
It’s not until about an hour later, after our food has been eaten, and our mugs of coffee sit cold next to us, that Cami finally folds her arms and assesses me. “I’ve held you hostage long enough.” I chuckle and shake my head, but I’m suddenly at a loss for words. “Is something going on with Adrian? Is that why he isn’t here?”
There is an undertone of concern to her voice, though she doesn’t look like a mother worried or anxious. If anything, she looks concerned about the relationship—like it might very well break her heart if I told her I drove all the way out there because of problems with her son.
“Adrian is okay. He’s working today,” I add quickly. I’m not sure if they know Adrian’s schedule, especially since he’s working more during the summer. “That’s partly why he isn’t here…” I trail off.
“Only part of it?” Will asks with an easy pull of his lips. His expression is mildly curious—as if he’s not sitting there guessing what I am there for but waiting to see if he is right.
I glance between them one more time before squaring my shoulders and trying to say in a strong, even voice, “I want to ask your son to marry me.”
After a couple beats of silence, Cami throws her head back and laughs. A full-belly, happy sound. Looking back to Will, he’s just sitting there shaking his head with a smile that spoke of just as much elation as his wife’s response.
“I told you this was why she texted us,” he playfully ribs his wife.
“Oh shhh,” Cami tells him. “I’ll take the fifty out of your wallet, you know.”
My brows furrow. “Wait… you guys bet on this?”
Camila turns back to me with so much affection and surety in her gaze. “We bet on who would get impatient first, yes. We never made a bet on if your love for each other is true and real.”
“We’re in perfect agreement on that,” Will added.
“So…” I start, not totally sure how to read this conversation, “you both are okay with me proposing to him? Today?”
“Today?!” Cami exclaimed, laughing again. “I guess I underestimated how impatient you are, doll.”
“We’re more than okay with this, Blake,” Will amends. “We trust both of you to make your own decisions. And we’d be honored to not only have you as a daughter-in-law, but to know our son is loved by you.”
Reaching across the table, Cami lays her hand flat and open, an invitation for me to take it. Tentatively, I slip mine into hers and she offers me a gentle squeeze. “I don’t care much for traditions. I only care that Adrian’s with someone who loves him so much they would throw their entire life off course just to be with him.” She looks over her shoulder at her husband and adds, “I know that’s the love that means the most in this life—the one we didn’t know we wanted but comes when we need it most. Adrian needed you.”
Tears are falling silently, yet heavily down my cheeks. “No, I needed him. And now… I just want him with me so badly. Every day.”
“He has no idea that today is about to be the start of his life,” she muses.
island of misfit toys
Wed, June 17 at 2:34 PM
Margo
Are you REALLY going to do it?
Meera
Of course she is
They’re SOULmates why shouldn’t she??
Margo
I didn’t say she shouldn’t!
I’m just questioning if our baby Blake has the guts to propose to arguably the second hottest guy on this planet
Meera
Ew
I’d argue he’s THE hottest guy on this planet
But yes I’m leaving Cami and Will’s now
Meera
OH MY GOD YOU’RE GOING TO DO IT
Margo
I’m proud of you and I know he’s going to say yes
Meera
We’ll celebrate this weekend
Margo
Yeah if they’re done celebrating by then
*if* he even says yes
Meera
He will! He has to!
Margo
I like him but not enough to spare his balls if he breaks your heart
Thanks, psychos
I’m driving now I’ll try to text you later
Meera
If you don’t we’ll assume it went as planned
LOVE YA
Margo
Love you drive safe
Love you two more than you’ll ever know