20. Shay #2
Matt chuckles, but I ignore him, reaching the door a moment later and pulling it open, suddenly realizing how out of breath I am.
My parents both look at me with a welcoming smile, but then their gazes fall to my sweatshirt, confusion twisting their features. My little shit head brother laughs at me, pointing and smiling.
“What, uhh”—her finger air-circles my top, and I glance down to see what she’s pointing at—“is going on there?”
The tag of my sweatshirt is sticking out of the neck … because I have it on backward. “Oh. Umm, I got dressed in the dark.” I cringe, my left arm twitching with pain, probably because I put it to work far too fast this morning and didn’t warm it up. Great, that is going to hurt, like, all day.
My mom giggles, and my dad looks behind me, his eyes widening as Kyle groans and whines at Matt in the bedroom.
“Who is Kyle whining at?”
Shit. Kyle, you’re ruining this.
Matt walks out of the room, Kyle on his heels, but thankfully, he’s now dressed in his suit and not just flaunting everything he’s got across my apartment.
Closing my eyes, I step back and let them come inside while I accept the fact that everyone is meeting today. “Mom, Dad, Teagan. This is—”
“Holy shit. Matt MacArthur.” Teagan gasps, and my dad smacks him on the back of the head.
“Language, Teagan,” my dad scolds him.
Matt walks up, a giant smile on his face, with confidence for days. “It’s so great to meet all of you.”
My mom clutches her invisible pearls, eyeing me with parted lips. “Shay, you didn’t tell us you had company.”
I glare at her. “I am now. Meet Matt, my …” I glance over at Matt, who is beaming with adoration in his eyes. “My boyfriend.”
His lips part as he sucks in a breath, tipping his head in the slightest nod.
“And player,” my dad mumbles. “Is that … allowed?”
I roll my eyes at the immediate concern for my job. “It’s a work in progress.”
Matt strides over to my side, and I glance up at him, finding the warmest stare.
“It’ll be all right. The organization is accepting.”
Or they’ve hit their limit and they’ll fire me, but, you know, that’s a problem for a different day.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Matt.” My dad shakes his hand, but then shifts his attention to Kyle, who randomly starts freaking out that his favorite people are here. “There’s my boy.”
Matt pulls his phone out of his pocket, and I see the caller ID—his mom.
He’s just as calm and collected as he says, “I have to take this. But it was so great meeting you guys. Hopefully, we can all grab lunch or something soon.”
“Oh God. Yes, please,” Teagan begs, his eyes wider than his entire head.
I look up at Matt as he meets my stare, a million silent words passing between us at once. He’s nervous, but he knows he has to have this conversation with her. And I want to be there for him, but first, I have to get rid of my family.
My mom walks over to the storage cabinet by my front door. “Is his backpack still in here? Oh, perfect.” She helps herself, finding Kyle’s bag ready to go, as it always is. “Are you ready to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa?”
“Hey!” Teagan scoffs. “Don’t forget about his actual favorite person.”
“Right.” I shove him, and he shrieks in the way only a prepubescent teenage boy can.
My dad walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. “Doing okay?”
After I hug, I pull back enough to see concern on his face. “I’m doing great actually. Better than I thought I’d ever be.”
Peace twinkles in his eyes. “Good. I’m glad to hear it, sweetie.” He glances toward the closed bedroom door. “I’m happy you found someone. As long as he treats you well.”
“He treats me perfectly,” I assure him, and he smiles, obviously approving of my man of choice.
Kyle is practically losing his mind, jumping for joy as Teagan tries to hook the leash up to his collar.
“Oh my God, hold still!”
My parents laugh at him, and my mom finally comes to his rescue before taking the leash from Teagan.
“We’ll see you later, sweetie.” She walks over for a hug, and I squeeze her tightly back. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I beam, feeling so full and grateful for the health of my parents. I know they’re a bit younger than Matt’s, but I’m still blessed all the same.
Kyle has no second thoughts of saying goodbye to me before he tries to beat my mom out of the door. He’s clearly ready to get going, and I laugh as the door drifts shut behind them, leaving silence to fall over the place in their absence.
The bedroom door opens, drawing my attention behind me, and I spin to find Matt walking out, phone in his hand and no longer on a call.
“Hey. Did they leave?”
I chuckle. “You mean, you couldn’t tell from the silence?”
He grins, a sadness lingering in his eyes. “Fair.”
Walking over to him, I slide my arms around his sides, clasping my hands behind his back and resting my chin on his chest. “Your mom?”
He tips his head down fully, sighing. “She’s all right. Umm …” He trails off, a catch in his voice.
Slowly, I rub his back, giving him enough comfort to continue.
“She said she was in denial for a bit about his condition and brought him to the game when he wasn’t ready. God, she felt horrible. I just wish I could’ve been with her more, helping with his care. I know how hard this has been for her.”