Chapter 45
It’s Friday, and we are heading up to meet my parents. I’m nervous. They had called me so they could finally meet my boyfriend, the man who saved me. My parents were upset I didn’t fill them in on my birthday weekend when I showed up at night moping around the house, giving them two-word answers.
They probably figured it was because I was dealing with psycho Jimmy and not thinking the worst about Rey with Julia.
He pulls into the driveway, my parents anxiously waiting on the small porch.
My mother’s eyes widen when she spots Rey. “Jesus,” my mother mutters.
Rey is a big man and good-looking.
She gives me a thumbs-up when no one is looking.
Rey is kind, and even though he looks intimidating, there is a heart of gold under all his muscles.
My father’s eyes water, and he shakes Rey’s hand for saving his daughter.
I fan myself to keep from crying because my parents love Rey.
I told them he was deaf, but it was like I hadn’t told them. I could see the excitement in my parents’ eyes. They had boxing royalty in their presence. The world thinks he has some hearing loss due to fighting, but they don’t know the truth. They don’t know that he is a legend and has defied all odds.
He's proved to the world that he would make it. Even though life throws you a curveball, you figure out how to smack it out of the park. Rey took the world in silence. He stole my heart with his words and the beat with his heart.
When I follow my parents inside, they offer him a seat. He nods politely and sits on the small couch. I take a seat facing him—close enough to touch but far enough to sign.
“Honey, where are you staying now?”
I swallow and sign so Rey knows what my mother asks me. He gives me a slight nod to tell them.
I clear my throat. “I have my own apartment. I work at Rey’s boxing gym, but under the circumstances, I’m staying with Rey at his home.”
My mother’s eyes widened, and she asked, “Sweetheart, who bought you that very expensive car? We know you can’t afford it.”
I take a deep breath and smile at Rey. My parents are nosy and can be overprotective.
“Rey, Mom. My car gave up on me, and Rey wanted to make sure I was…”
“Safe,” she finishes for me. “I can see that.”
My father looks up at Rey and says slowly, “Thank you for taking care of our little girl.”
Rey nods and glances at me. “My…pleasure,” he says slowly, the words clear and even. The sound makes my heart beat wildly. It’s like he can hear it.