Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
“It must’ve been resolved because they agreed to room together again,” my dad replied with a wink.
“There’s still a little tension…” If only they knew what kind of tension. “Especially since we’re both pretty competitive.”
“Let me guess,” Mom said. “Video games and table tennis?”
“Ugh, you know me too well.”
“Well, you did come out of my womb.”
I covered my face. “Okay, never describe it that way again.”
My dad laughed. “So, what’s changed between you and Bruce?”
“We’ve spent plenty of time together, and I understand him better now.” I shrugged like it was no big thing. Like him down on his knees last weekend didn’t star way too often in my thoughts. It’d been sheer desire over skill, but that was what had made it so hot…and special. “Anyway, his parents can’t make it. It has to do with that fundraiser I told you about, in honor of his brother.” Bones had passed the flyer along to me so I could email it to my parents.
“Yes, it sounded very moving,” Mom said. “We plan to donate.”
“Thanks, that’s cool. Anyway, that’s why I invited him along with us.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Mom said. “Seems you’ve grown a bit fond of him.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I averted my eyes. “He’s still a dork.”
Mom made an excited noise. “Wait a minute…do I detect a crush?”
My ears grew hot. “No! Nothing like that.”
“You do seem to gravitate toward athletes,” Dad said. “If my memory serves me well.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me. Why do you think I stay firmly in the single category?”
They laughed.
“Remaining single is your choice, and that’s perfectly fine,” Mom said. “But I’m sure plenty of guys can see how adorable you are.”
I screwed up my face. “You have to say that. You’re my mom.”
“And I’m your dad. I wasn’t responsible for producing you, but I did help raise you, and you’ve turned into a wonderful human being. I’m proud of you, son.”
“Ugh, you guys. Stop all the mushiness. You’re killing me.” I lifted a pillow to my face.
I could hear my parents snickering. “Love you. See you soon.”
“Love you too.”
I ended the call and sat there in a daze. My parents were great, and I was lucky. They respected and supported my choices. I wished Bones could feel the same about his family.
And speaking of the devil, the door banged open as he stepped inside. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself. What did the wall ever do to you?”
“Huh?” He looked at the mark left by the door. “Sometimes I don’t know my own strength.”
I rolled my eyes, then made myself comfortable against my pillow. “I told my parents I invited you to hang with us tomorrow.”
“Thanks, but you didn’t have to—”
“You can’t ditch us now. They’re expecting you.”
“Well, when you put it like that.” He toed out of his shoes. “Though I am good at disappointing parents.”
I frowned, recalling the conversation with his parents before Bones showed up from practice that day. I’d laid it on too thick with them, even during dinner, but he didn’t fault me for it. I had the urge to hug him, but we’d done enough of that, along with kissing too, and it was crossing lines all over the damned place.
But I wanted to be there for him as a friend. Thus the invite for tomorrow.
I got busy finishing an assignment while he joined his friends in the common room for a game of cards.
The following morning, the students gathered in the large rotunda, which was decorated with banners and flowers to greet the parents.
I said hello to Lark’s mom and sister, as well as Justin’s and Leah’s parents, before mine finally arrived. Bones had gone off to say hello to his football buddies and their families, and I couldn’t help wondering if he regretted agreeing to join us. More than likely, one of the other guys would’ve made the same offer.
But my worries vanished when he came over to greet my parents as soon as he saw me hugging them. Lark raised an eyebrow at me from across the room, and I just smirked and shook my head. No one else seemed to notice or care that we were hanging out, so maybe they were just used to our friendship by now.
“Nice to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Ettinger,” Bones said, shaking my dad’s hand.
“You as well,” Mom replied, squeezing his shoulder.
There was a welcome speech from the dean we had to sit through, followed by refreshments and mingling, and then the families were off to meet our teachers.
Bones and I had no overlapping classes, which might’ve been why he seemed to grow sullen. I also knew he’d hoped to show his excitement regarding his new major to his parents.
“I should’ve just stayed in my room,” he muttered out of the earshot of my parents.
“Nonsense. You’d be bored stiff.”
“More bored than I already am?”