Chapter 50
Connor snorts next to me at the name, and I glare at him quickly, silently telling him to keep quiet.
“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. How’s it going?”
My mom scowls, but I see the slight tip of my dad’s lips as he tries to hide a smile at my failed attempt of acting clueless. The camera moves from a shot of both of them to just my mom’s face, and I can tell by the crease in her brow, I’m in for it.
“How’s it going? Well, we were out enjoying our morning walk when Mrs. Traegar came sprinting out of her house in her robe, waving her phone in the air like a madwoman.
And wouldn’t you know it? Right there on the screen was an article about my daughter claiming that not only is she married, but she’s with child!
You can imagine how surprised your father and I were. ”
I was wondering how they found out. My parents are not ones for technology.
Neither of them have social media, and I spent the first week of college staring at their foreheads while they tried to figure out how to video call me.
After they didn’t catch wind of the first article, I guess it didn’t even cross my mind to think they’d find out about this one.
Not that I’ve even had much time to process it myself.
Unsure where to start, I choose to address the lies first.
“Well, I’m not pregnant, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
The phone screen jostles for a few seconds, and I see my dad slide behind my mom, attempting to get his face into view.
“We weren’t worried, honey. We’re just a bit confused.”
My mom looks at him and I see his eyebrow raise. She huffs and turns back to the screen.
“He’s right. I mean, I was a little worried, but definitely more confused than anything else.”
I glance at Connor quickly, and he gives me a nod. Knowing he’s here gives me the confidence I need to let them know what’s been going on with me.
“Let me start at the beginning.”
I proceed to tell them about everything.
And I mean everything. When Bryan and I got divorced, they didn’t question me too much, probably because they never really liked him to begin with.
So, when I tell them about the way he treated me throughout everything, and the prenup that left me with barely anything, my dad nearly breaks the table with how hard he smashes his fist into it.
“I will fucking kill him.”
Connor mutters next to me. “Get in line.”
I whip my head toward him and narrow my eyes.
“Who are you looking at, sweetheart?”
My mom’s question causes me to look back at the phone screen. Both of my parents are peering around as if they could actually see any other part of the room I’m in.
“And where are you? Is that Tamara’s bed?”
Well, I guess that’s one way to bring up my marriage. Here goes nothing.
“Actually, I’m at Connor’s.”
My mom’s eyes widen to saucers and my dad’s face breaks out into the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen.
I wave Connor over and he scoots next to me on the bed.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin. It’s nice to see you.”
Neither of my parents say anything for a full minute. They’re too busy looking between the two of us and hitting each other, whispering unintelligible things to each other. I take advantage of whatever they’re doing and explain the part of the article that says we’re married.
“So…the article wasn’t entirely untrue.”
Both of my parents freeze. Then, in slow motion, turn their heads to look at us. Connor loops his arm around my neck, pulling me into him and kissing me on the top of my head.
“Surprise! We actually are married.”
I know I should tell them the truth about our marriage and how it only happened so I could get health insurance, but I’m having too much fun playing with them right now. Connor doesn’t miss a beat.
“Mom. Dad. Are you going to say anything?”
I nearly choke on a laugh, but somehow manage to play it off as a cough. My father wears a look of pride, but my mom’s eyes continue to bounce between Connor and me. Dad might be thrilled, but Mom isn’t buying it yet.
“Explain.” She sits back and crosses her arms. My dad looks at her like she’s grown an extra head, not understanding why she’s not excited.
I push off Connor’s chest but keep him in the frame.
“Well, when Bryan and I got divorced, I was removed from his insurance almost immediately. Since then, I’ve been to the hospital quite a few times and was racking up a ton of hospital bills I couldn’t afford.”
My dad sits up straight—ready to kill my ex, I’m assuming—but my mom’s face drops with sadness.
“When I got to Wisconsin, I fell and hit my head.” My mom gasps. “I’m okay, Mom. It was actually a good thing because I found a doctor here who took my concerns seriously. But getting answers meant a lot more tests and a lot more money.”
Understanding dawns on my mom’s face, but my dad hasn’t quite gotten there yet. He leans closer to my mom’s phone and talks in a booming voice. “I’m lost. So when did you and Connor reconcile?”
I look up at Connor with questions in my eyes, hoping he can take this one for me. He smiles at me and turns back toward my parents.
“I ran into Avery at the hospital and then a couple more times after that. She wouldn’t let me pay for the tests, so I offered a different solution.”
My dad seems to comprehend it at the same time my mom sniffs. When I move my attention to her, I see her wiping under her eyes.
“Mom, I’m okay.”
My dad wraps her in a hug but she pushes him off.
“I’m fine.” Mom looks at me now. “I know you’re okay. I just wish you could’ve come to us with this. I don’t understand why you didn’t.”
I knew this would hurt her feelings so I do my best to reassure her that it had nothing to do with them, and everything to do with me.
“Mom, I didn’t want you to worry. Besides, you’re still working crazy hours to pay off my old hockey debt. I didn’t want this to fall back on you. I’m an adult. I wanted to handle it on my own.”
Both of my parents nod, and this time when my dad goes to hug her, she lets him. I’m hoping this means we’re nearing the end of the conversation. My dad picks his head up but continues holding my mom.
“While I understand where you’re coming from, I want you to know you can always come to us, honey. That’s what your parents are for. And by the way, you should know your hockey debt has been paid off for years.”
My jaw drops. “Then why are you two still working so much?”
My dad laughs. “We’re working so much so when the time comes to retire, we’ll have enough saved up to do all the things we want to do. It has nothing to do with you and your prep school. I promise.”
I’m stunned silent by the realization that they’re not working themselves to the bone for me, rather so they can enjoy their future retirement. I’m still trying to digest that information when my dad surprises me with his next question.
“If you had all the tests and you officially have a diagnosis, does that mean you two will be getting divorced now, too?”
My mouth drops open. I have no idea what to say because I’ve thought the same thing a few times now but didn’t want to say anything to Connor.
Honestly, I don’t think I want to get divorced but I don’t want to say that in front of my parents.
I’m trying to find something to say when Connor grabs the phone from my hand.
“Not if I can help it, sir.”
I’m out of the camera’s view now, so my parents don’t see the smile that stretches across my face at his answer. But I see theirs.
My dad grabs the phone from my mom, just he and Connor on the screens now. “Son…” His words trail off, and I don’t miss the way Connor inhales a sharp breath. “I was hoping you’d come to your senses one day.”
Connor releases a strangled laugh mixed with emotion and tears. “Sorry it took me so long, sir.”
My dad shakes his head in disbelief. “Knock it off with that ‘sir’ crap. It’s Jeremy or Dad now, you hear me?”
When Connor swallows, it’s so loud I know he’s fighting back a sob now. I reach out and grab his hand, lacing his fingers through mine. He doesn’t say anything, and my dad seems to understand how big this moment is for him because he doesn’t push.
“I know I probably don’t have to say this because I’ve always known you’d grow up to become an exceptional man, but it’s your job to protect her now, son. I’m trusting you with my baby girl. I know she’s in good hands, but don’t you go breaking her heart again, you hear me?”
Connor lifts my hand to his mouth and places a kiss on the top of it. He looks from me to my dad and smiles.
“I will protect Avery until my dying breath. She is safe with me, and I’ll defend her heart like it’s my own, because quite frankly, it is. I promise I won’t let you down.”
My dad’s eyes fill with tears and my mom snatches her phone back.
“We know you will, Connor. We’ve always known her heart belonged with you. We’re just glad you finally figured it out, too.”