Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
Serena
“Dude,” Hazel scolds me as I place things into my suitcase and then take them back out. “Stop it. If you keep changing your mind, you're going to end up going naked.”
“That’s not even funny.” What does one wear to meet parents?
A dress? Dress pants? I’m completely out of my element here and worry one tiny mistake will derail everything.
Sure, I acted unaffected when we were at dinner the other night, but that was me lying to myself thinking I could do this. “I have no idea what to wear or do.”
Hazel shakes her head at me and forces me to sit on the bed. “I’ll pack for you. You have an entire weekend to yourself with your man. Meeting his family is going to be easy, I promise.”
She can’t promise that, though. She adapts to every situation so easily. Me? I’m awkward and abrasive. I say and do the wrong things. “That’s not the only thing I’m worried about.”
“If you say you’re concerned about the media, I’ll pommel you. You knew what this would be like after you started researching him. You can’t believe everything a gossip magazine publishes. Nine times out of ten it’s complete bullshit.”
“Yeah, but what about that one time?” I mumble under my breath.
“You’re focusing on the wrong thing.” She goes to my underwear drawer and shuffles through it until she finds something sexy and throws it in the suitcase.
“I know relationships are scary. It’s part of life.
But he loves you.” I start to interrupt, but she glares at me.
“He may not have said the words yet, but I know he does. You can tell by the way he looks at you, and how protective he is. If you have any doubts, then maybe you should question why you’re going to Austin in the first place. ”
That’s the thing. I don’t have any doubts when it comes to him. It’s all the women that feel the need to throw themselves at him I’m not a fan of. “Because despite the distance and all the crap I’ve found online, I’m right on the verge of loving him.”
“There’s your answer,” she sits next to me on the bed, packing my suitcase is abandoned for the time being. “Stop sweating the small stuff. And that’s all the other crap is. Small. Stuff. Focus on you and him. Everything else will work itself out.”
“I guess you’re right.” I know she is, but she’ll get big-headed about it if I tell her she absolutely is.
“I’m always right.” She squeezes me into a hug before jumping off the bed and raiding my closet. “It would probably be a lot easier on both of you if you let him mention you. Then all the other ball chasers will realize that he’s off the market.”
As much as I value my privacy, she might be right about that, too.
I’ll have to talk to him about that when I see him.
It’s something I’ve thought about but I didn’t want to jump the gun in case he’s not as serious about me as I am him.
I don’t think I have anything to worry about, though.
If he wasn’t serious, he wouldn’t have asked me to meet his mom. Right?
“I think that might be doable.” I peer into the suitcase to see what all she’s thrown in there. “You know I can’t wear half of that to meet his family.”
“Girl, you can wear a T-shirt and jeans to meet them. I’m packing your bag for all the sexy times you’re going to have in his gigantic house.”
“Why do I put up with you again?” This woman has completely lost her mind.
“Because you love me, and I’m family. You have to love family.”
She’s not wrong. She’s the only family I have since my blood relatives are assholes. “At least you know I love you.”
“I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about that once you start saying it to Bentley.” She puts one more item in my bag and closes the top. “Don’t be surprised if I get a little jealous. I’ve had you to myself for so long.”
“I’m more concerned with what you’re going to do when I’m no longer flying.”
“I guess you found a job?” That pulls some of the excitement down. I hate that she thinks I’m abandoning her, but I have to do what’s best for me.
“Not yet,” I sigh. “I haven’t even started researching anything. They have us on so many back-to-back flights, I can barely think straight.”
“I’ll support you no matter what.” She grabs my arms and pulls me up from the bed. “Now, let’s finish getting ready. We’ll have to leave soon.”
The phone rings and rings. Crap. Is he already at the stadium? I didn’t think he had to be there for a few more hours. Just before I think it will roll over to voicemail, he answers. “Whew, I almost missed your call. Are you already on the plane?”
“Not yet,” I sigh. “Hazel and I are on the way, but there’s traffic everywhere.
I have no clue what’s going on, but they need to get out of the way.
We’ll get in trouble if we’re late again.
” I give Hazel some major side-eye. She’s the reason we’re always pushing our limits.
One day I’ll be smart and ride on my own.
I’ll miss these days, though. Not flying with my best friend, or seeing her, all the time will be weird.
“That sucks,” he laments. “Hopefully whatever is causing the jam clears up soon. I’m excited to see you, and so are Mom and Gabby.”
Nerves creep up all over again. Meeting his family is a big deal, and even though I’m trying to push my fears down, it’s hard. Hazel’s pep talks can only do so much. It’s up to me to dispel them completely. “Yeah, I’m excited too.”
“You don’t have to lie. There’s nothing to worry about, though. They are going to love you.” He sounds so confident about it. “I have to get going soon. I have your tickets waiting for you at will call.”
“Tickets?” Who else is he expecting to come?”
“I had an extra one put with yours in case Hazel came to the game as well.” It’s so sweet that he’s willing to include my best friend. “And if she can’t make it, there’s no harm done.”
“Thanks, Bentley. It means a lot.” So many people dismiss those I find valuable in my life, but he doesn’t. He’s willing to include Hazel as much as he can. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours. You know, if this damn traffic jam goes away.”
“Anytime.” I can hear his grin through the phone. “I’ll be looking for you in the stands.”
“I’ll be there.” I hang up the phone and lean my head against the backseat of the cab. This thing is probably disgusting, but I don’t even have it in me to care. “Can I do this?”
“Look, babe,” she turns in the seat until she’s facing me. “I will not keep having this conversation with you. I love you, but you’re torturing yourself. What did I tell you before we left?”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff,” I answer, monotone.
“Exactly.” Her head bobs up and down. “Things will work out, and if they don’t, I’ll be right here.” She pauses, staring out the window, “but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.”
“I hope you’re right.” Being thrown to the side again is one of my worst fears.
I never want to go through that again. Not that I can control it, but it’s why I’ve been so careful with my heart all this time.
Until I met Bentley. He turned my entire world upside down and helped me realize I want something more. I want companionship.
Traffic finally clears up, and we’ve made it to the airport with minutes to spare. This is way too damn close to the time we have to come in for our flight. One day Hazel will get her shit together and we’ll leave on time.
We’re speed walking to the gate and notice the words delayed on the giant screen. You have got to be fucking kidding me. “This can’t be happening,” I grumble.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll find out how long the delay is.
” Hazel rushes to the information desk between the two gates and speaks hurriedly to the man standing there.
He tries to get a word in, and I wish I could hear what he’s saying, but I’m too far away.
Hazel talks over him, and he backs up a step.
I’ve never seen him before, so he must be new.
He obviously doesn’t know the force of nature my best friend can be. Especially when it’s helping me.
Hazel turns and stomps back to me. A scowl on her face. Anger is not her best look. “What’s the verdict?” I ask.
“You’re not going to like it,” she sighs. When I don’t say anything she continues, “it looks like we’ll have a minimum of a two-hour delay.”
My mouth drops open. Oh no, this can’t be happening.
I’ll miss the entirety of Bentley’s game.
And that’s if we stick to the two-hour delay.
If the man upstairs is looking out for me at all, whatever is causing it will go away quickly.
“I need to text Bentley to let him know.” That’s the only thing I can think to say, and I’m not sure he’ll get the message.
He usually turns his phone off when he gets to the stadium on game days.
“It’s a storm in our flight path that’s causing it. I’ll check the weather app in that area and see what it looks like.”
“Thanks.” I pull out my phone, hoping this isn’t a bad omen, to shoot off a text to Bentley.
Serena: Our flight is delayed, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Fingers crossed I can at least meet him at the stadium.
I glance at my watch as the passengers get off the plane.
I’ve always been patient with people taking their time, but tonight…
I need them to pick up their step and get out of here already.
From what I can tell, the Rattlers should be in the third quarter.
If these people hurry, I can get the plane cleaned up and grab a cab to get me there as soon as the game is over.
Before the last passenger is even all the way out the door, I turn to the attendant’s station and grab the cleaning supplies. It’s time to get this show on the road so I can get out of here. I’m eager to see my guy, and that’s not going to happen until this thing is clean.