Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

"Yes."

Miles runs his fingers over my shoulder. He whispers, "Tell them you've been busy because you're seeing someone."

"Excuse me." I put my phone over the speaker and turn to Miles. "Are you crazy?"

"Trust me. Tell her you have a boyfriend. It will give you something to talk about besides medical school and your sister."

He's making a compelling argument.

"I'll still come with you," he says. "For Thanksgiving. Hell, invite them to meet us at Nobu tonight. I'll impress them by paying."

"That would impress them."

"I know." He brushes my hair from my eyes. "You have to admit I'm charming. For a scoundrel."

"I don't have to admit that, no."

"But you know it's true."

"Megara." Mom's voice flows through the speaker. "Are you there?"

"Tell her," Miles mouths.

He's right. I should tell her. It's a perfect distraction. The visit will be a million times easier if I have Miles by my side. Being in that house alone, or with just Mom and Dad… It still hurts.

"I'm sorry Mom. That's just… that's Miles. My boyfriend." I take a deep breath. "We've been dating a few months now. And it's kept me busy."

"You're seeing someone?" Her voice is neutral.

"Yeah. He's great. Really, really great. Smart." Damn, what does she want to hear? I've never had to worry about my mom approving of a guy.

"Tell her I went to Stanford," Miles whispers.

That's good. "He's a little older. Graduated from Stanford a few years ago."

"Oh, that's great, sweetie. Miles, was it?" she asks.

"Yes. Miles. You'd like him." Why would she like him? Dammit, how does this parents meeting the boyfriend thing work?

"What's your mom like to do for fun?" Miles whispers.

"Give me a second, Mom." I cover the receiver with my hand and whisper to Miles. "She doesn't have time for fun. She's a surgeon." I rack my brain. Nobody in my family has had fun in a while. "She likes mythology. And foreign films."

"Skip that part. Invite me over for Thanksgiving," he says. "Trust me. She'll be excited that you want to introduce me."

That doesn't sound like Mom, but I'll try. I turn back to my cell. "Sorry, Mom. He's a little distracting. He really wants to meet you guys. Do you think he could come with me for Thanksgiving?"

"You're coming home?" Her voice perks up. "Of course, honey. We were hoping you'd come home. You don't have work?"

"No. My supervisor gave me the entire week off." I bite my tongue. There's no getting out of this now. "Miles, he doesn't have a lot of family around here. I know he'll appreciate this."

"Yes. It will be nice having company since we don't…" Her voice breaks. "You two can stay the weekend. Or just Thursday. Your father is working Friday but it's the early shift. Then the weekend—well, you know the drill."

Ah, the virtues of having a surgeon and an ER doctor for parents. They're always working. If I'd been the type to get in trouble, I could have taken advantage of their busy schedules during high school.

Actually, it's remarkable that they both have Thanksgiving off. Usually, we have dinner at an off time to accommodate their schedules.

"Have you thought about schools?" Mom asks. "UCI's program is improving. You could stay here. It would save you the trouble of finding a place."