I can tell she’s nervous. I want to lean in and kiss the stress right out of her, but pissing her off is not on the top of my list of things to do today. Instead, I wink and stand to follow Dad out to the garage.
“All right, old man, put me to work.” I clap my hands and rub them together.
“I didn’t really need any help,” my dad confesses.
“Then why in the hell are we hanging out in the garage?” I was kidding when I called him an old man. He still has plenty of good years left, but now I’m starting to wonder. “You going senile on me?” I joke, only half kidding.
“Because I want to know how things are going?”
“Good. It’s the off-season, so I’m just hanging out.”
“Not that.” He waves his hand in the air. “With Reese. How are things with Reese?”
“Did Mom put you up to this?” I question.
“No. Why would you think that? Never mind. So, how’s it going?”
“Since when do you gossip?” I ask.
“Since my son started dating my best friend’s daughter. A girl I’ve thought of as my own for over half of her life. Now, start talking,” he says, looking behind him to make sure the door is still shut.
I chuckle. “Things are good, Dad.”
“Good? That’s all you’ve got for me?”
“I don’t know what you want me to say. I love her. She’s worried my feelings come from the fear of losing my best friend. We’re taking our time, taking things slow.”
“What does that mean? You kids these days. I don’t understand the lingo.”
“It means that I love Reese. That she is my person, and I’m giving her the time she needs. She loves me, I know she does, but she needs some time, and I’m giving her that. There’s nothing else you need to know right now. When there is anything new or kind of development, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
“Are you going to ask her to marry you?”
“Yes. When the time is right.”
“How do you know it’s not right now?” he counters.
“Dad,” I groan, rolling my eyes. “I know her. Trust me on this. She’s not ready. We’re not ready. She needs to understand, see, and feel my love for her. This is between the two of us. End of discussion.”
“Cooper—” he starts, and I raise my hand to stop him.
“No. The end. Now, is there anything that I can help you with?”
“No,” he grumbles good-naturedly.
“Good. Now let’s get back inside to the women. Reese and I still need to go and say hi to her parents.”
“Are you all staying here or there?” he asks.
“I’m staying here. She’s staying there.” I don’t like it, but it is what it is.
“Son, I know—” he starts again, causing me to laugh.
“Dad. I’m staying at her place. In the spare room. Slow. That’s how this is going.”
“Oh, right. Slow,” he agrees.
“Come on.” I pat him on the shoulder and head back to the living room to find Mom and Reese right where we left them. “You ready to go say hi to your parents?” I ask her.
“Yes.” She gives both my mom and dad a hug, and we walk through my parents’ yard over to hers. “Mom, Dad, we’re home!” she calls out.
I don’t miss the “we’re” part.
“Hey, kids,” Eve greets us. “How was the drive?” she asks, giving Reese, then me, a hug, just as my mom did.
“Not bad. Coop did all the driving.”
“It’s like an hour and a half,” I remind them.
“There’s my girl,” Garrett says, joining us in the kitchen.
I don’t correct him and tell him she’s mine. I’m thinking that won’t go over all too well. Besides, he is her father, her first love. I can live with that. I smile to myself. I sound like a crazed lunatic, but that’s how I am when it comes to Reese. I’m not fighting it anymore.
“Are you all hungry?” Eve asks.
“No, we stopped on the way,” Reese tells her.
“Well, there’s plenty when you’re ready. I have to run to the store to pick up a few things. Do you want to ride with me?” Eve asks Reese.
She looks over at me, and I nod. “I’ll head back over to Mom and Dad’s,” I say.
“Actually, Cooper, if you could stay a minute, I need help with something,” Garrett asks.
“Sure.” Leaning down, I kiss Reese on the top of her head. “Call me when you get back.” I then give Garrett my full attention. “I’m all yours,” I tell him.
“Out in the garage.” He waves for me to follow him, and I do. “So, you two are living together,” he says as soon as the door is shut to the house.
“Yes and no. I’m staying at her place in the spare room.” He raises his eyebrows. “Trust me, I’m not happy about it either,” I admit, and quickly curse under my breath. I forgot who I was talking to. Son of a bitch.