She pulled me into her arms for another hug.
My dad stood then too. “People are wrong when they say you have to figure it all out by the time you’re eighteen. It’s just not true. Everyone grows at a different pace. Go get a job at a cupcake shop. Climb a mountain. Dye your hair. I don’t care as long as you stay true to yourself.” Grinning, he added, “Seriously, get a job though.”
I laughed and reached to hug him.
“Deal,” I said, my voice muffled against his shirt.
I released him and looked at each of my parents. “I love you guys. So much. I hope you know that.”
“We know,” my mom replied with a kind smile.
I started for the door when my dad said, “And Willow?”
“Yeah?” I paused, looking back at them.
“That job thing? Please don’t try to be a rebel and get a job being a stripper. I’ll force you into a wimple.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “No promises, dad,” I joked and ran for the stairs while he grumbled behind me.
It had grown dark outside and I knew I should shower and go to bed, but I couldn’t yet.
I needed to see Dean.
I grabbed my keys from my desk and hurried back downstairs—running smack dab into my dad.
I bounced off his chest and he reached out to steady me. “Where are you going?”
“To Dean’s.”
He stared at me sternly.
“I thought we were passed this,” I told him.
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay. Right. Fine. Go. Just…yeah. Bye.”
I laughed at his awkwardness and stood to kiss his cheek.
“Love you dad…and for the record you’re not in second place as my hero. You’re tied for first.”
He beamed at this and I was glad my words made him happy.
I darted out the door before he could change his mind and drag me inside.
It was well after ten, but I doubted Dean would be asleep.
It only took me around fifteen minutes to pull into the lot of the mechanic shop his apartment was above.
I killed the headlights and turned the car off.
I ran up the steps—making far more noise than I should have—and pounded the side of my fist against the door.
It swung open only seconds later and Dean stood there shirtless in only a pair of long pajama pants with some sort of Pokémon on it.
His hair was ruffled, not like he’d been sleeping, but as if he’d been constantly running his fingers through it.
He grinned broadly and gasped my name. “Willow.”
I dove at him, kissing him like I hadn’t seen him in years when in reality it had only been hours.