Chapter Thirty Six
Reid
The sun peers in through the shades of the backdoor, awaking me before I’m ready.
I’m trying to remember where I’m at. I’ve slept on this couch plenty of times before, but this time?
I am now crammed between the back of the couch cushions and a very firm ass backed into my crotch.
Before I can even process what day it is, I hear the fumbling of the front door handle.
I glance over my right shoulder to see that, sure enough, the deadbolt to the door at the end of this couch is being unlocked. I panic, trying to scramble to my feet without disturbing the sleeping Caroline that is about to fall on the floor. Before I can manage, the door swings open.
“Happy Saturday!” I see the outline of my parents strolling in with a beam of fresh sunlight behind them. My dad is holding a large cardboard box. “I brought do - oh!” He finally glances up from the box of a dozen donuts to see the two of us snuggled up before him.
“Caroline?” Mom whisper-yells and I'm unsure from the furrowed look on her face, if she's confused, concerned, or excited. “Oh honey, we didn't mean to disturb…” She starts to backtrack her steps, but before she can finish her thought, Caroline finally begins to stir.
Squeezing her eyes shut and trying to sit up, she mutters “What in the world?”
Finally opening her eyes with her hand shading her forehead, she surveys the situation that she just started her day in.
“Oh - oh my…” She quickly rolls over her left shoulder to stand on the side of the couch, still grabbing the blanket as if she were unclothed.
“Mr. and Mrs. Perry! Oh good morning, I'm so sorry. We were just…” She looks at me, as if to finish the sentence for her.
“This is not what it looks like,” I finally came to a stand and joined her, while chuckling. “Wait, sorry. Did we have plans today? I didn't realize you two were coming over today.” I try to divert the focus.
“Oh no, we were just in the neighborhood checking out the farmers market and thought we would stop by and surprise you. I guess we will have to get used to not showing up here unannounced though…” She smirks back over to Caroline.
“Oh, come on you two, come join us for breakfast in the kitchen. This is just like old times!” My mother is oddly cheerful for a woman that just walked in on their son tightly spooning their pregnant ex-girlfriend on the old family couch.
But if they're going to pretend it didn't happen, I am happy to go along with it and eat some donuts.
“I'll get the coffee pot started,” I join in, strolling towards the kitchen after running my hand through my hair with a final look at Caroline, us both trying not to burst with laughter. Everyone takes a seat at the kitchen table and sips hot mugs of coffee, while picking at the variety of donuts my dad brought. It’s hard to describe the environment…
awkward, yet comfortable? There’s some silence, but like my mom stated…
it kind of just feels like things used to be around here with all of us.
“Thank you all so much for your hospitality, but I really should get going and head home,” Caroline breaks the tension, excusing herself from the table.
“Oh, anytime dear! I know this isn’t technically my house anymore, but you’re welcome over whenever you want. I’m sure Reid could use the company!” My mother declares for me.
“Mom! Quit trying to play matchmaker,” I mutter under my breath, rolling my eyes at her. “Here, let me get the door for you.” I shift my focus toward Caroline and follow her out of the kitchen, trailing behind her to the front door.
“I’m really sorry about them.” I hope she doesn’t feel embarrassed. I think we just made their day, to be honest. “Here, let me drive you home.” I grab my keys off the hook by the door, but she stops me.
“Oh, no worries. I already texted Kate. I finally agreed to let her throw me a shower so I should really go help her get things ready. Stay and visit with your parents. Thanks for… hanging out with me.” She trails off and once again, we are both left not knowing what any of this means or where to go from here.