Nate
We’re about two hours into this four-hour drive to Framingham, Massachusetts, and I feel like I’m shitting myself with nerves.
I don’t know why I’m this nervous. I mean, I can be awkward around new people, sure, but this is my boyfriend’s family. The same boyfriend who barely talks about them except to say, ‘they’re a bunch of nutcases, but in a fun way.’ What the hell does that even mean?
He keeps telling me that the Hawks are definitely going to extend him. And I always nod, in agreement. But in the back of my mind, I know how messed up these teams can be. He might have to settle for a team-friendly, one-year deal, whether he likes it or not.
I glance at him from the passenger seat and say, “So, babe, tell me about your parents. I feel like I should know something. I can’t go into the Elliot nest empty-minded.”
Carter shifts a little in his seat, one hand still on the wheel.
“My mom’s Debi, my dad’s Scott. Been married 25 years.
They have their off days, but they’ve always been best friends.
They bicker all the time, but clearly it works, since they are still together.
My dad’s a handyman who fixes kitchens and really anything anyone asks.
My mom’s an organizer. She labels everything, color-coded closets, the whole thing.
She even has a few hundred thousand Instagram followers, which is an insane thought. ”
I raise an eyebrow. “Do they live alone?”
He laughs. “They wish! Both my brothers still live there. Dustin’s twenty-four, Chase’s twenty-two, and both work in different Tech startups. We love fucking with each other, which can get annoying. They joke about asking me for money all the time.”
“Must be nice, saving all that rent,” I say with a half-smile.
Carter glances at me. “It’s a trade-off. I loved living with them, but they also annoyed the shit out of me. Now that I’m out, we get along better.” Carter laughs, “I cannot count the number of times my mom yelled at me for having a single sock on the floor, like why does it matter?”
I laugh. “So you’re basically the golden child.”
Carter chuckles. “I should be! I paid off their house with my rookie contract.”
I blink. “Wait, what?”
He shrugs, like it’s no big deal. “Yeah. They raised me, and it just felt right. I am a giver, what can I say?”
I smirk. “Wanna pay off my dad’s house too? Maybe Rachel's house as well?”
He grins. “Ask me again in a few months, depending on whether I get this contract extension or not.”
I smile, settling back into my seat, loving life. “Are we stopping for dinner or are we doing something else?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, my mom’s making my favorite meal. It’s this meat, broccoli, cheese, and rice thing. No idea what it’s actually called, but it’s amazing.”
“I’ll eat anything,” I say. “Legit anything, but my only request is, just no ketchup or mayo.”
Carter laughs. “I got you, bae.”
For the next couple of hours, we let Spotify carry the mood, occasionally pausing to talk about football, the cafe, or the Christopher Street rental he keeps bringing up. He’s obsessed with the idea of me renting that space.
“You’d kill it,” he says for the third time. “Good music, good food, good coffee, and I know you’ll fill it out easily.”
I want to believe him. But 1,800 square feet feels huge and maybe too big for me.
Still, he looks at me like I’m crazy anytime I say that. And part of me loves his confidence in me. It makes me feel like I am making the right decision with this cafe and that I can actually do it.
Right at 8 p.m., we pull into the driveway of his childhood home. It’s a good-sized house and way bigger than what I grew up with. Through the backyard, I catch a glimpse of a nice-sized pool.
I know the pool is closed for the season, but I cannot believe he has a freaking pool.
And then I hear barking; high-pitched, excited insanity coming from behind the gate.
Peeking through the slats, I see three tiny dogs jumping up along the side gate, with such excitement. They appear to be three different-colored Miniature Schnauzers, I think.
“You have dogs?” I ask, turning to Carter in shock.
He smiles, smug. “I wanted to surprise you. They’re my pride and joy. I hate that I don’t see them anymore, but I grew up with them. The white-colored schnauzer is my best friend.”
I shake my head, grinning despite myself. “Of course they are.”
I don’t know why I thought everyone would be sleeping. It’s only 8 p.m.
We walk through the door, and Carter’s mom comes straight up to me, grinning like she’s just spotted a new prized possession. She pulls me into a big hug. She’s on the shorter side, maybe 5’5”, with long dirty blonde hair like Carter’s and green eyes.
His dad, Scott, steps out from behind her, shakes my hand, then pulls me in for a hug too. He’s around six feet tall with thin, curled black hair and striking blue eyes.
I glance at Carter and whisper, “I see where you get your eyes from,” shifting my gaze between both parents.
Carter smirks. “Mine are better. Let’s be real.”
I grin back. “Best of both worlds. Blue and green combined? So hot.”
Carter must’ve made sure the whole family knew we were coming, because immediately after his parents smothered me with a hug, both of his brothers stroll down the stairs at the same time and immediately pull me into hugs.
This family is extremely touchy-feely. I don’t love it, but I guess I’ll have to get used to it.
The middle brother, who’s about Carter’s height with short dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, says, “I doubt my idiot brother has brought me up that much, but I’m Dustin.”
I smile. “Oh, he’s brought you and your other brother up so much.”
Dustin eyes me, clearly knowing I’m lying, and steps aside as the youngest brother, Chase, walks up and shakes my hand. He doesn’t go in for a hug at first, but after a beat, says, “Get over here, brother.”
I laugh. “Thanks, dude. Appreciate the invite.”
Chase is a good-looking guy, slightly taller than Carter, with blue eyes and dirty-blond hair. Neither brother is as muscular as Carter, which makes sense, since they’re in tech, not football.
Debi interrupts the whole meet-and-greet. “It’s already late, and my meat concoction is getting cold. Let’s sit and eat!”
I glance at Carter nervously. “This is going to be interesting.”
He grins. “You’ll be fine. My family’s chaotic…a little like yours.”
I chuckle. If they’re anything like my family, then, my God…good luck to me. But in a funny, kind of sweet way.
We walk into the kitchen, and it’s gorgeous. Everything’s perfectly placed. The white walls look freshly painted. The space is warm but obsessively organized. It makes sense because Debi is a professional organizer, and it’s very clear she takes her work home with her.
We sit at a long, rectangular brown table. At the same time, Debi brings over a giant metal pot of cheesy, meaty, rice-filled chaos. She looks at me and says, “Trust me, it looks like a mess, but it’s amazing.”
Carter nods at me and mouths, Trust her.
I get served first, either because she’s being polite or because she wants to see my reaction. Before serving anyone else, she says jokingly, “Try it. I want to watch. And don’t lie to me if you hate it.”
I laugh, catching the joke but sensing she also really wants me to like it. “Okay. Here I go.”
I take a bite. Warm parmesan cheese melts in my mouth, mixed with seasoned meat, rice, and something else I can’t even place, but it’s amazing.
“This is literally incredible,” I say honestly.
She beams. “Good. It’s even better with ketchup.”
I immediately frown. “Well, now you lost me. Ketchup is disgusting.”
Chase and Dustin both gasp. “Excuse me, but we’re a ketchup family. We hate mustard.”
“I hate both,” I shoot back.
They respond in perfect unison, “Fine. At least we all agree on hating mustard.”
The whole family laughs.
Scott, who’s been mostly quiet while devouring his food like he’s late for something, finally looks up. “So, Nate…what’s it like being the first person Carter’s brought home? Guy or girl. He’s never even mentioned anyone before. Not even in a text.”
I grin like I’ve just won a prize.
Carter groans. “Dad, shut up. You’re making me look bad.”
Debi waves a hand. “Actually, I think it makes you look good, less slutty.”
I look at Carter and laugh.
She turns to Carter and adds, “Our boy is Mr. Private, but ever since he told us he likes guys, we’ve been very understanding and accepting.”
Chase stares at Carter. “Did you tell Nate that I was the last person you came out to? You told the whole family and even your friend, Becky, before me. Becky, Carter. What the fuck was that?”
I mock-scowl at Carter. “Wow. Dick move.”
Carter shrugs, half-defensive, half-amused. “Can you blame me? Your friends were kind of douchey. I figured they’d be dicks to you and me. Plus, look at me now. I still can’t say the word ‘gay’ without looking over my shoulder.”
Debi glances at me. “He’s still nervous, but I can see he’s more relaxed tonight. And I love that.”
I look around the table. “Did Carter tell you how he came out to his team and coach? He even told some of them about me.”
The whole table looks stunned. I glance back at Carter, surprised he hadn’t mentioned it.
He gives me a sheepish smile. “I’m working on myself, okay? And yeah…I told them. It was actually the best feeling ever.”
Scott points his fork. “So that’s why you’ve been playing so well lately. No offense, Carter, but right after your bye week? You’ve played like shit.”
I watch Carter to see if he’s going to snap back, but he just laughs and nods. “You’re right. But things have changed, for the better.”
Debi locks eyes with him. “I’m just glad you’re happy.”
Carter cuts her off before she can keep going. “Thanks, Mom. Love you too. I really am happy.”
After dinner, we all grab Cookie Dough Yasso Bars for dessert. I take one bite and nearly let out a loud moan. “What are these? They’re amazing. How are they only 100 calories?”