Awkward Love (Stumbling into Love 2)

My sister was ridiculous.

She asked again how we met. I managed to make it work without admitting that Ali and Kira had purchased a date with him at a bachelor auction for me.

“Are you gonna tell Mom and Dad?”

“Yeah, tomorrow.”

“Do you think they’ll care?” Will asked. “With me working for your dad. I don’t know if it would be like a conflict of interest or whatever? I can find another job if I have to…”

“What? No, you’re not doing that,” I told him.

“You would leave your job for Jameson?”

“He’s not leaving his job,” I replied just as Will said, “Yeah.”

“You guys are the cutest. They’ll be okay. It’s Mom and Dad. They want us happy.”

I nodded, my logical brain believing she was right, but my emotional side had a strong pull on this issue, and unfortunately, that part of me thought this was all going to blow up in my face.

“It’ll be fine,” she said again.

The three of us played in the ocean. Will still didn’t go far out, but that was okay. He and Cherise got along well. They were both sort of cocky, so I just sat back and let them do their thing.

From there we hung out on the beach for a while. Mom and Dad were lying down under the umbrella. Cherise went into the house.

“I’m fantastic at sand castles,” Will told me.

“Let’s see it, then.” We walked down a little, out of hearing range of my family, and Will showed me his sand skills. Obviously, he was good at it because this was Will and he was good at everything. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re disgustingly perfect?”

“Yes, but you can still say it. At least once a day should work.”

I laughed. We spent a lot of time doing that, and eventually, when I looked over, my parents were gone. At some point, they’d gone into the house.

We did the same, Will and I separating to shower and change, before we all had dinner together outside again. Dad barbecued hamburgers. Mom made margaritas, and Cherise whined about being too young to drink.

We watched the sun set before Mom suggested a movie. I didn’t know what it was about because I spent the whole time watching Will on the other side of the living room.

Will, my boyfriend.

Will, whom I loved.

Will, who loved me too.

There…with my family. At our beach house. Totally had to be a dream.

When the movie was over, Will stood and stretched. “Thank you, guys, for a great day. I had a lot of fun. I’m beat, though. I think I’m going to hit the sack.”

We had a plan for him to sneak into my room, of course. Luckily, Cherise was the only one upstairs with us.

His eyes darted to mine and quickly away.

“We’re happy to have you,” Mom said. “Good night, sweetheart.”

Oh, I liked that. Hearing Mom call Will sweetheart.

“Good night, son,” Dad told him before looking at me. “Are you going to go with him, or just going to wait until we go to bed before you sneak into the room together?”

Will stopped mid-walk.

My heart dropped to my feet.

I couldn’t breathe.

“Leon!” Mom swatted his arm. “I thought we were going to let them come to us.”

“I couldn’t put them through it anymore,” he countered. “You two are shit at keeping this a secret, you know. We figured it out when we were eating dinner at the house.” Mom cleared her throat, and Dad added, “Well, your mom figured it out and told me. Then I couldn’t stop noticing.”

“I…” I started but couldn’t finish.

“I’m sorry,” Will rushed out. “I didn’t mean to lie to you. We didn’t know at first and—”

Dad held up his hand, and Will stopped speaking. Dad had that kind of power. “I’m not upset. We’re fine, though we do have some things to discuss. We can do that later, though.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Dad, I asked Will to keep it a secret. Please don’t—”

“It’s fine, Jameson. I’m not angry, but it is late, and I’d like to go to bed too. You know me. I don’t mix words. I wouldn’t say it was okay if it wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things to discuss. Tomorrow.” He looked at Will again. “You’re okay, son.”

Will nodded. I stood, walked over, and grabbed his hand. “I won’t… If whatever we have to discuss is a risk to Will’s job, I won’t…I won’t forgive you for that.”

“Jameson.” Will’s voice was slightly panicked. “It’s fine. I understand. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

Then Will dragged me away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Will

“I’m a cross between being pissed he brought it up and thankful that he did. And worried he said we have to talk tomorrow, but thankful he’s not upset,” Jameson said when we got to his room.

“Should I not sleep in here? I don’t think I should sleep in here, you know, just to be safe.”