29. Henrik
TWENTY-NINE
HENRIK
Tonight is the night. Carina’s attending her first Berg family dinner.
She’s the first woman I’ve ever brought home or introduced them to.
Thankfully, they met weeks ago, so it isn’t a total shock she’s coming with me.
Instead of nervousness overtaking my body, I’m overwhelmed with excitement.
When Mom called last week to extend the dinner invitation and I asked if I could bring Carina along, I also suggested she invite Eirik too.
I knew his presence there would make it more comfortable for Carina.
Knocking on her door and waiting for her to answer is torture.
I fidget with my hands and rock on my heels.
I’m anxious and excited about my parents getting to know the woman who’s completely captivated me for months.
But my brain stalls when the door opens and I see Carina, dressed in a sexy floral dress.
All at once, my thoughts tumble out of my head.
“Hello, gorgeous. You look beautiful,” I breathe.
Then my eyes find hers, and I see her pupils are blown wide.
She looks terrified. My heart thumps in my chest, and my stomach drops. “What’s wrong?”
Stepping closer, I cradle her face in my hands. Her voice wavers as she asks, “What if they don’t like me?”
“That’s not possible, baby.” Leaning down, I place my lips on hers. Before I retreat, I whisper against her mouth, “They’re going to love you like I do.” I hadn’t intended to tell her like this, but I can’t handle her fear or worry over this. There’s no doubt my parents will love her.
At my confession, Carina gasps. When she pulls back, her blue eyes search mine in question. I smile and nod. “It’s true. I love you, Carina.”
Silence surrounds us. Fuck. I’m unsure what I expected when this moment finally happened—trumpets, fireworks, declarations of the same from her—but it wasn’t this.
The silence is deafening. Disappointed, I hang my head.
Emotion strangles me, and I rasp, “That was the first time I’ve told anyone that, and I’m sure I screwed it up. ”
She pulls my head to hers, resting her forehead against mine.
“It was perfect,” she whispers. More silence follows, making me edgy.
Is she okay? Needing to know, I take her hands in mine and wait until her focus is on me again.
She expels a breath from her lungs, admitting, “I was scared. Your words, your confession, shocked me, but also calmed me.”
Lifting my hand to her chin, I cradle it.
While making gentle strokes against her soft skin, I say, “I didn’t intend to tell you like that.
I wanted to make it more meaningful and special, but you were so concerned, and I wanted to ease your worries.
There is no one better than you, and there’s no way my parents won’t adore you. ”
She gifts me a brilliant smile, and her eyes sparkle.
“Henrik. I adore you.” She pauses. “What am I saying? I don’t just adore you.
I love you too.” Her words are everything.
My heart soars and I feel ten feet tall.
“Okay, let’s go see your parents,” she says.
I nod before pulling her to me. Her lips on mine seal the confession we’ve both made.
Carina remains quiet when we arrive. My dad welcomes her with a nod while my mom wiggles and shimmies like an excited new puppy. “Carina, it’s so good to see you again.”
Clutching my hand, she replies, “It’s nice to see you too. Thank you for inviting me for dinner.”
Before Mom can respond, Mia and Eirik arrive. As usual, they’re noisily bickering, and the focus of the room shifts to them.
When Mia finally notices Carina, she squeals, “Finally, someone I like.” Both my parents and I object with a “hey.” With the flick of her wrist, she waves us off and commandeers my girlfriend.
In seconds they’ve disappeared into the family room.
Mom sighs, and Dad shrugs before heading back out to the deck, where he’s likely grilling something.
Turning to Eirik, I smack him in the chest. “What are you and Mia fighting over now?”
He shrugs. “Hell if I know. My life was peaceful until I parked out front. Amelia arrived after me and started on me about my parking. She sounded ridiculous, so I only half listened.”
I glance toward the kitchen. “I’m going to see if Mom needs any help. Maybe do me a favor. Keep away from Mia tonight so my parents can get to know Carina in a less chaotic environment.”
He laughs. “I got you, man. Operation: Stay Away From the Woman Who Always Takes the Time to Bust My Balls is a go.”
I laugh. “She does, doesn’t she?” He nods, and I smirk. “That must suck.”
“It really does,” he grumbles.
Without the underlying tension between Eirik and Mia, dinner is enjoyable. Mom gently but thoroughly interrogates Carina, wanting to know everything about her. And Carina graciously answers.
“I grew up here in Kodiak. I was a grade behind Mia. Then I left to go attend San Diego State University. After getting my degree in marine biology, there were ample opportunities to work in San Diego. While working, I obtained my fisheries and marine science degree remotely from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. However, when I heard the opie season had been canceled and millions of crabs had disappeared, I knew I needed to come home.”
I watch as Carina searches for a connection with every person at the table.
My dad sits up and clears his throat, drawing attention to himself. He’s the man who taught me everything I know about fishing, life, and love. I see his eyes crinkle as he asks Carina, “So, you’re worried about the crabs too?”
Carina leans closer to him. “I am. It’s not just about the fishing industry but the environment and what global warming is doing.
The scary thing is, it affects so many, and the consequences of not dealing with it years ago have created lasting, irreversible changes to our planet.
I’m worried about the crabs and all the creatures of the ocean, but I’m also worried about us and what’s coming. It’s unknown.”
My dad nods but says nothing. Carina sits back and flashes me a worried look.
I smile, trying to silently reassure her.
Her chin wobbles and her eyes grow misty.
I shake my head, lean toward her, and whisper in her ear, “There’s no reason to be sad.
My dad is a thinker. He has to process all you said before he responds.
Are you afraid you said too much?” I feel her nod against my lips, and I desperately want to pull her into my arms and comfort her, but that would be odd at the dinner table.
“Gorgeous, you didn’t say too much. What you said was the truth.
My dad knows it. He has to wrap his mind around it.
In his day, their biggest worry was getting enough crab as fast as they could.
They had no sign that one day the fisheries would be closed because there wouldn’t be any crab to harvest.”
She places her hand on my thigh. Holy shit.
That’s like a direct jolt to my libido. My cock thickens, and I close my eyes, praying Mom doesn’t need my help with the dishes or dessert.
“Baby, you’re making this hard,” I growl in her ear.
She turns her head toward me with her lower lip tucked between her teeth and then looks down at my crotch.
Her dancing eyes raise back to my face, turning me into a fiery ball of desire. I want her. I need her lips on mine.
“Who wants dessert?” Mom’s voice is like an ice bath, and it breaks the spell I’m under.
Carina rises from her chair. “Please, let me help you.”
“That would be great, darling. Thank you,” Mom answers.
I smile as I listen to them banter back and forth while they prepare everything in the kitchen. Mom likes her. I’m sure Dad will have something to say once he’s processed everything, but from the small smile on his face, I’d guess he’s impressed too.
After dinner and many rounds of goodbyes, thanks to Mom and Mia, I drive Carina back to her apartment. “I wish it were Friday, and you were coming to my place for the weekend.”
Carina smirks. “You know I have a bed at my place. I still have to get up early and go to work, but you’re welcome to sleep over.”
“Are you sure?” I ask excitedly. It’s not just about sex. I sleep one hundred percent better when Carina’s next to me. “I promise to behave.”
“Well, you don’t have to be a saint. I just can’t be late to work.”
I waggle my eyebrows at her. “Deal.”
She laughs. “Now it’ll be your turn to do the walk of shame.”
Later that evening, while cuddling together, Carina pats my chest. “Henrik,” she says in a whisper.
“Yes,” I hesitantly answer, confused by her serious expression. Worried something is wrong, I ask, “What’s going on, gorgeous?”
She looks away and admits, “I’m embarrassed about something, and afraid you’ll judge me for it.”
Hugging her tight, I kiss her forehead. “Just tell me. I’m sure it’s nothing you need to worry about.”
“Umm,” she starts, and I nod, encouraging her to continue. She covers her face with her hand. “This is so embarrassing,” she whines.
“Come on. Tell me.”
“Fine. I’ve had a crush on you since we were in high school, and you didn’t even know I existed.”
Her words stun me. Surprised, I take a minute to respond. When I do, it’s with, “You did?”
She’s still wearing her hand as a shield as she nods. “Talk to me,” I croon, hoping she’ll release the grip she has stretched across her red-cheeked face.
“But it’s embarrassing,” she defends after she drops her hand.
“No, it shouldn’t be. I’m flattered. We were different people then, and I’m grateful you still have a crush on me.” I give her a wink.
She laughs. “We are far past a crush. This is more. This”—she waves her finger between us—“is love.”
I lower my lips to hers. “Yes, it is.”
The weather has been glorious, and almost every weekday, Eirik and I spend hours out in nature.
We’ve kayaked and seen sea otters. Hiked all our favorite spots like Barometer and Monashka Mountain trail, where the overlook provides an indescribable view of the island.
The grass is still yellow and dry, and the mountains in the distance still have snow-covered peaks, but there’s something majestic about it all.
“Heads-up, fresh bear scat,” I holler to Eirik, who’s behind me on the trail up to Termination Point. Reaching into my pack, I feel for the bear spray I always carry when hiking. You never know what you’re going to encounter.
He laughs. “I figured they were awake when I saw the leg of a moose calf a ways back.”
Hiking through the huge Sitka spruce, I see new signs of life sprouting up.
It’s now almost the end of May, and the grass finally has patches of green within it.
I see several small ferns growing through the mossy forest floor.
It won’t be long until they’re full and thriving.
When we reach the point, we drop our packs, digging out our water bottles.
“Here,” Eirik says before tossing me a protein-packed granola bar.
“Thanks, man,” I say before ripping open the bar like I haven’t eaten in days.
Eirik laughs and teases, “Hungry?”
“Yeah. I didn’t eat breakfast this morning. I’m starving. You got another?”
He throws me another. “Gotta save that appetite for next weekend.”
“Why?” I ask.
His eyes go wide, and he scoffs. “You have to be kidding. It’s the crab festival. You too wrapped up in Carina to remember your roots?”
“Naw, man. I was just teasing. We’re going, are you? I think Carina invited Mia.”
“Amelia is going?” he asks, and I nod. His face falls. What just happened? He seemed so excited, but now he’s staring despondently out at the ocean, his gaze darting around wildly. It’s like he’s searching for something. But what?
He remains silent. I take another drink of my water, knowing sometimes time is all he needs.
A short while later, he turns away from the magnificent view. “I just remembered there’s something I need to take care of. Do you mind if we start heading back?”
Unsure of what’s bothering my best friend, I move closer. “You all right?”
He roughly tugs his hand through his hair; something he’s done since we were kids. It’s a sign he’s stressed. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just need to get home to take care of something.” Without another word, he stows his water bottle and pulls on his backpack. Since he’s my ride, I guess we’re going.
“Let’s go,” I say as I pull on my pack.
Unlike our leisurely hike up, we’re racing down Termination Point like our asses are on fire. Eirik’s obviously in a hurry. I just hope neither of us gets hurt.
“Wow, that was intense,” I mutter as we get back to his truck. Eirik climbs into his seat and lets out a labored breath while I busily glug my water. He waits a minute before he starts the engine and then slowly drives out of the parking lot. Weird. Is he not in a hurry anymore?
When we finally get to my house, I open the door to get out but turn back.
“Thanks for the hike and the ride. If you decide you want to hang out at the crab festival, let me know.” As soon as the crab festival is mentioned, his jaw tightens, and he wraps his fingers tightly around the steering wheel. What am I missing?
Grimacing, he spits, “I’ve got to go.” I guess we’re back to the emergency.
I shut the door and then step away as he takes off.
Climbing my front porch steps, I analyze where I think everything went wrong, and my conclusion makes little sense.
His demeanor changed when I mentioned who was going to the crab festival with me.
Is he annoyed that it won’t just be us guys?
No, that can’t be it. He often hangs out with Carina and me and it never seems to bother him. So what is it?
“Is it Mia?” I question aloud. I grind my teeth. This feud, or whatever they have between them, is beyond obnoxious. It needs to end. I don’t want to choose between my best friend and my sister. I need them both in my life. But they both need to grow up and stop acting like petulant children.