Chapter 19 Dinner With a Side of Disapproval #2
"You look amazing," The words come out honest, certain. "Absolutely perfect."
Two spots of colour appear high on his cheeks, and I'm seized with the urge to cancel dinner and just drag him back upstairs. But my parents are probably already waiting at the restaurant, so instead, I take his hand and lead him toward the door.
"You kids have fun," Gavin calls after us. "Remember, Tyler, a fake emergency is just a text away!"
"What was that about?" Ethan asks as we head
"Just Gavin being Gavin," I say lightly, not wanting to add to Ethan's nervousness. "He's offering to call with a made-up fraternity emergency if dinner gets awkward."
"That's... actually really thoughtful," Ethan says, looking surprised. "I've really misjudged frat guys."
"Just some of us," My grin is unavoidable as I open the passenger door for him.. "Others are exactly as bad as you thought."
The drive to Marcello's is quick, but I can feel Ethan's anxiety growing with each mile. His leg is bouncing, and he keeps smoothing down his already-perfect shirt.
"Hey," Fingers reach across to lace with his. "It's going to be fine. I promise."
He gives me a tight smile. "I know. I'm just... not great with parents. My own weren't exactly supportive when I came out."
"I'm sorry," I say, keeping my voice soft as I squeeze his hand. "My parents aren't like that. My dad's been surprisingly cool about everything, and my mom..." I hesitate. "She's trying."
Ethan picks up on my hesitation immediately. "But?"
"But nothing," my voice firm, "It'll be fine."
We arrive at Marcello's, a moderately upscale Italian place near downtown. As I park, I spot my parents' car already in the lot.
"They're here already," I tell Ethan as we get out. "My dad's the tall guy with salt-and-pepper hair. My mom's blonde, petite, but somehow still intimidating."
"Great," Ethan mutters. "That's not making me more nervous at all."
Slipping my arm around his waist as we walk toward the entrance feels just right. "You'll be fine. Just be your charming self. They'll love you."
As we approach the restaurant, I feel Ethan straighten slightly beside me, his professional side kicking in. I keep my hand on the small of his back as we enter, a gesture that's become natural for us.
The hostess leads us to a corner table where my parents are already seated. My dad stands as we approach, his face lighting up with a warm smile. My mom remains seated, her expression carefully neutral.
"Tyler!" My dad’s voice is booming as he pulls me into a bear hug. "Good to see you, son."
"Hey, Dad," I say, returning his hug before stepping back next to Ethan. "Mom, Dad, this is Ethan Barrett. Ethan, these are my parents, David and Amanda Landis."
My father immediately extends his hand to Ethan. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ethan. Tyler's told us a lot about you."
"All good things, I hope," Ethan says, shaking his hand firmly. His voice is steady, but I can sense his nerves.
"Of course," Dad assures him.
My mom offers a tight smile. "Hello, Ethan. Nice to meet you."
Her gaze flicks to where my hand rests on Ethan's back, and her lips press into a thin line. Dad catches it too, because he quickly gestures for us to sit down.
"So, Ethan," Dad says as we settle into our chairs, "Tyler tells us you're studying nursing?"
"Yes, sir," Ethan nods. "I'm in my second year of the program."
"Please, call me David," my dad insists. "And that's impressive. What made you choose nursing?"
I'm watching my mom while Ethan talks about why he likes healthcare and helping people. She's listening and being polite, but I can see tightness around her eyes, the same look she gets during tough talks she doesn't want to have with me.
The waiter arrives to take our drink orders, providing a momentary distraction. My dad orders a bottle of red wine for the table, checking that Ethan drinks wine before doing so. It's a small gesture, but I appreciate him making the effort to include Ethan.
"So, Tyler," my mom says once the waiter leaves, effectively cutting off Ethan's conversation with my dad. "How are your classes going? You mentioned that the water filtration project was giving you trouble."
"It's better now," I reply. "Actually, Ethan helped me work through some of the biological components. His science background came in handy."
"That's nice," she says dismissively. "And the fraternity? Everything going well there?"
Ethan shifts beside me. "Yes, everything's good. We raised over four thousand dollars at our charity car wash last month."
"Impressive," Dad nods. "What charity was that for?"
"The University's Veterinary Medicine program works with a spay and neuter clinic, so we are helping a lot of dogs lose their puppy-making bits," I reply, trying to lighten my mother's mood. Still, I only see her smile tighten slightly.
"That's wonderful," Dad says genuinely.
The waiter returns with our wine and takes our food orders. I notice my mom doesn't include Ethan in the conversation about appetizers, speaking as if we're a table of three instead of four. Dad compensates by specifically asking Ethan what he'd like to try.
While we wait for our food, Dad asks Ethan about his program and what he wants to do later, but Mom mostly talks to me. It's not super obvious; someone else might not catch it, but I can tell Ethan notices. His answers get shorter, and he sits up straighter and tenser.
The appetizers arrive, giving us a nice break from all the weird vibes at the table.
As we eat, Dad manages to steer the conversation to more neutral topics, campus events, the upcoming holidays, and a recent movie he and Mom saw.
Ethan gradually relaxes, even sharing a funny story about one of his clinical rotations that has my dad laughing loudly.
By the time our main courses arrive, things have settled into a slightly more comfortable rhythm.
Dad is openly friendly toward Ethan, asking thoughtful questions and listening attentively to his answers.
Mom is still cool but not overtly rude. I start to think maybe this dinner won't be a disaster after all.
Then Mom takes a sip of her wine and says, "So, Ethan, Tyler tells us you two met at a Halloween party? That wasn’t very long ago, was it?"
"Almost five weeks," Ethan confirms with a small smile in my direction.
"Such a short time to get to know someone," she remarks, her tone light but her meaning clear.
"Tyler has always been the type to jump into things with both feet.
When he was seven, he decided he wanted to be a professional skateboarder after watching it on TV for one day.
Broke his arm trying to do a trick by the end of the week. "
Dad chuckles. "He's always been enthusiastic, that's for sure."
"Yes, well, enthusiasm sometimes leads to hasty decisions," Mom continues. "Like the time he signed up for that study abroad program junior year of high school, then changed his mind two weeks later after we'd already paid the deposit."
My jaw clenches. "Mom—"
"I'm just saying," she interrupts, "that Tyler sometimes gets excited about new... friendships... before really thinking them through."
The emphasis on "friendships" isn't subtle, and Ethan tenses beside me. A flush creeps up his neck, but his expression remains carefully neutral.
"Actually, Mrs. Landis," he says politely, "I tend to be the cautious one between us. I was hesitant when Tyler first asked me out."
"Asked you out?" Mom repeats, her eyebrows rising. "So you two are... dating, then? Not just friends from the fraternity?"
The deliberate obtuseness makes my blood boil. "Mom, I told you on the phone that Ethan is my boyfriend. You know we're dating."
"Well, you said you were 'seeing someone,' which is rather vague, dear," she replies. "After all, you've always had so many friends."
Dad clears his throat uncomfortably. "Amanda, I think Tyler was quite clear—"
"I'm just trying to understand," she interrupts.
"After all, Tyler has only dated girls before.
Quite a few of them, actually. There was that lovely Jessica in high school, and then Amanda in freshman year.
Oh, and of course, Cher. She is such a nice girl from a good family.
I hoped you two might get back together. "
Ethan goes very still beside me, his gaze fixed on his plate.
"Cher and I broke up for good reasons.” There’s no room for argument in my tone. "And we're not getting back together. I'm with Ethan now."
"Of course, dear," Mom says dismissively. "I'm just pointing out that this is quite a change from your normal pattern. Perhaps you're just... exploring."
"Mom," my voice has a hint of warning as my patience wears thin. "I'm not 'exploring.' I'm in a relationship with Ethan. A serious one."
An uncomfortable silence falls over the table. Dad attempts to salvage the situation. "So, Ethan, Tyler mentioned you're involved in some campus organizations, too?"
Ethan looks up, his expression carefully composed. "Yes, I'm part of the Student Nursing Association. We organize health outreach events."
"That's wonderful," Dad says with genuine interest. "Community service is so important. Amanda used to volunteer at the children's hospital before she went back to work."
Mom nods stiffly. "Yes, very rewarding work, I’m sure.” Then, as if she can't help herself, she adds, "Tyler, did I tell you that I ran into Cher's mother at the club last month? She mentioned Cher is single again. Apparently, that boy from her political science class didn't work out."
Ethan’s shoulders hunch slightly as he pushes his pasta around his plate.
"Mom, enough," the words come out sharply, "I don't care about Cher's relationship status. I'm not interested in her."
"I'm just making conversation," she says innocently. "No need to be so defensive."
"You're not 'just making conversation," Anger bleeds through each word. "You're deliberately ignoring the fact that I'm dating Ethan."