I made my way home, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. Hayden was my ride home, but something came up last minute, and the girls had already left.
Hayden has been a nervous wreck throughout today; I know he was anxious about today’s dinner. It was Friday, which meant dinner with my family. Even I was a little anxious about what’s to come this evening and could only hope for the best.
I walked past my dad’s car parked out at the front of the house to the front door, going in.
“Mom, Dad, Asher. I’m home.” I yelled, throwing my bag on the floor. The wonderful aroma of my mom cooking filled the room, and I instantly made my way to the kitchen.
“Wow, so many foods.” I stared at the different foods placed on the counter: fajitas, pot roast, chicken fried steak, and apple pie. “Why so many foods?”
“You do know that Hayden is coming over for dinner.” My mom answered, standing in front of the stove as she stirred the sauce in the pot.
“You don’t need to go through all this length; Hayden won’t mind if you cook a simple dish.” I say, taking a seat on the stool.
“I know, but this is the first time you are introducing a boy to us as your boyfriend, and besides, I like Hayden.” My mom grinned. “Take a shower and come help.”
I smiled, taking an apple pie in front of me. ” Okay.”
“Where are the boys?” I asked my mom, referring to my dad and Asher.
“They went out to get something in the store. Your dad wanted to bond more with Asher because he feels he hasn’t spent enough time due to the business trips he has to attend. Now that he and Dominic are business partners, he doesn’t think he will be around that much.”
At the mention of Hayden’s dad, my mood was sour. I have been trying not to think about it this past week, days after Hayden told me. To top it off, I was meeting his dad on Sunday since he had been invited over during Hayden’s game.
Hayden I told him I didn’t have to go if I didn’t want to and that he could make up an excuse for me, but it was okay. It would be rude for me not to take up his invitation, and I didn’t want to be another reason for him to hate me.
I sighed loudly, making my mom turn to look at me. She gave me a concerned look. “What’s wrong, sweetie? Why the sudden change of mood?”
“It’s nothing; I don’t want to worry you.”
“I’m always going to be worried about Asher, so spill.” My mom said to fold her arms over her chest.
“It’s about Dominic, Hayden’s dad.” I mumbled.
I told my mom everything Hayden had told me during our date, not leaving a word out. Her brow furrowed as she listened to me without saying anything until I was done.
“I know they were high-class people, but I totally didn’t expect Dominic to want to use his son to get what he wants.” My mom was shocked.
“Yeah, I know, to make things worse. I’m having dinner with Hayden and his family on Sunday.” I sighed, banging my head on the counter.
“Will you be okay going there after knowing everything?”
I fiddle with the hem of my shirt. “It’s not like I have any other choice, and Hayden said he was going to look for a way to get out of whatever deal his dad has planned with Sophie’s dad.”
My mom walked over to me and pulled me in for a hug, softly patting my back before pulling back. “I’m sure he will; you don’t have to worry about it. If you and Hayden are meant to be, no one could ever stand in your way.” I smiled at her. “I’m sure, Victoria…” She stopped, looking at my neck.
Damn, I forgot to bring my hair down. Hayden had given me a big hickey when we made out earlier.
“Is that…” My mom trails off, pointing at my neck.
“Mosquitoes bite, yeah, it is… It’s very big, i know.” I chuckled nervously.
“Yeah, and my hair is as long as Rapunzel.” She scoffed, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
“Okay, maybe it is what you think it is. But before you get angry, let me explain.”
“I already know about you and Ace, so that rules out you losing your virginity.” My mom sassed, rolling her eyes.
“Wow, mom, just wow.” I nudged her shoulders, and she laughed. “So you aren’t angry.”
“I’m not Bree; you are mature enough. Just make sure you guys are safe; you don’t want to give your dad a heart attack by telling him you are pregnant.” I laughed, physically relaxed.
“I love you, mom.”
“I can’t help that I’m the best.” She laughed, walking back to the stove to stir the sauce. She turned her head slightly back to look at me. “You better cover it up; you don’t want your dad to go ballistic and end up murdering poor Hayden.” She smirked.
” Hilarious.” She laughed, facing her body back to the stove.
I left the kitchen, racing my way upstairs to my room. I stormed into the bathroom, taking my clothes off. I stepped into the shower, taking a very long, much-needed bath. I got out with a towel wrapped around my body and hair. I walked towards my closet to look for something nice and comfortable to wear.
After searching for some time, I settled for a red short-sleeve short gown with a red booth. I dried my hair, applied a little make-up to my neck, and then let my hair down. I didn’t do any makeup on my face; I wanted my natural look. After I was done dressing up, I took my phone and made my way downstairs.
When I got back downstairs, my dad and Asher were already back. They were in the living room, with Asher watching his favorite SpongeBob episodes. When Asher saw me, he stood up and ran over to me, giving me a hug. I ruffled his hair, hugging him back. When we separated, Asher rushed back to his seat to continue his cartoon.
I walked over to where my dad was, taking a seat beside him. “How was school today?” My dad asked me to focus on the TV in front of him.
“Same old boring school day.” He nods, not saying anything.
“Dad, Hayden is going to be here any minute from now; whatever intimidating stuff you have planned out, kill it now.” I said sternly, and he turned to look at me shocked but tried to cover it up like he had no clue what I was talking about.
“what makes you think I’m up to no good.” He said it in a very sweet tone, trying to look innocent.
“I’m your daughter; I know you very well.” I raise a brow, letting him know I didn’t buy whatever act he was putting on.
“But I…”
“No, but dad.” I said, cutting him off. He sighed, pouting his lips.
The doorbell rang, interrupting our conversation. I stood up from my seat before my dad could, making my way to the door before swinging it open. Hayden stood on the other side of the door, putting on a burgundy t-shirt and black skinny jeans. Looking as casual as possible. His hair was a little messy, like he had run his hand over it repeatedly, but it was acceptable; it only enhanced his handsome features.
He quickly pecked me in the lips, and I watched as he gulped down nervously. “You don’t have to be nervous; my dad already promised to be in his best behaviour.” I smiled at him, trying to calm him down.
He looked past me inside the house, probably debating if he should come in or not. I moved closer to him so that we were chest to chest. I clasp his hand around mine, intertwining our fingers.
” Hey.” I whispered softly. “It’s going to be okay; the dinner is going to go well. So can you calm down for me?”
“I’m sorry, babe.” Hayden takes a deep breath before releasing it. “I just don’t want to mess things up and ruin whatever chance I have to get your dad to like and accept me as your boyfriend.”
I grinned at his response. The butterflies in my stomach flutter on cue. Unable to stop myself, I pressed my lips to his. He immediately responded, automatically kissing me back. Our kiss was soft and gentle. Hayden warps an arm around my waist, drawing my body closer to his. I keep one good hand on his bicep, reading to end this.
I heard an aww and a growl behind me. Hayden was glancing behind me to see my mom with a smile on her face, while my dad had a big scorn on his, glaring hard at Hayden.
Hayden cleared his throat to get rid of the tension in his hair. My mom smacked my dad hard on his shoulder, and he winced.
“Quit scaring the poor boy,” my mom scolded, walking closer to the door to pull Hayden in. I closed the door, walking back to the living room where my mom dragged Hayden, with my dad trailing behind them like a lost puppy.
My mom let go of Hayden so he could sit down, then walked back to the kitchen. I walked over to Hayden’s side, but my dad took the space close to Hayden so that I wouldn’t sit near him. I scoffed at his childish act, pulling Hayden out of the seat and onto another couch. I stuck my tongue out at him, and his scorn deepened.
“Bree, come help me set the table.” My mom yelled from the kitchen.
I looked at my dad, who had a smirk on his face, then at Hayden, not sure if it was smart to leave them alone.
“It’s okay, baby girl; go help your mom. I can take care of myself.” He smiled at me. I looked at him for a while, checking to see if it was safe to leave him here with my dad.
I sighed. Getting up from my seat, I turned to my dad. Pointing two fingers at my eyes, then back at him. He scoffed at these, sticking his tongue out to me.
I walked into the kitchen to help set the table. “You know how your husband is; I’m sure he is up to something.” I say to my mom anxiously.
My mom laughed, shaking her head. “Sweetie, your dad may look intimidating, but he is as harmless as a fly.” She said she was dishing the food out.
“Still, mom, I won’t put it past him.”
“Let the two of them spend some time alone and talk as men; that way, their relationship will flourish when it becomes clear that they both have your best interests at heart.” She grinned.
I hurriedly set the table, going as fast as I could so that I could get back to the living room. When I was finally done, I walked back to the room, expecting to see my dad trying his crazy tactic, but instead I was welcomed with the view of Hayden and my dad laughing with each other.
I stood there shocked, and they both turned to look at me with a smile on their faces. I was stunned; I didn’t even know what to say.
I was only gone for thirty minutes; how did this happen?
“Dinner is ready.” My mom yelled. The duo stood up, still chatting amongst themselves as they made their way to the kitchen.
I turned to look at little Asher, shocked. “Asher, do you know what happened?” I stopped him on his way to the kitchen. He shrugged his shoulders, having no clue, and walked past me into the dining room.