Veer (Clayton Falls #2)(42)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Yeah.”

“How many more years of school does she have?”

“Just one.”

“That’s wonderful. Then you two are free to move anywhere after she graduates, even back home. Although I’m sure her mother will want you to move there.”

“Her mom actually passed away recently. She’s all alone now. But that’s beside the point. You’re getting way ahead of yourself.”

“But you said you think she’s the one. You’ve never said that.”

I heard some serious squealing in the background. “Amanda’s home?”

“We had the kids tonight. She just got in to pick them up.”

“I take it she overheard you.”

“Gavin? Who is she?” My sister had grabbed the phone and was clearly overjoyed by the news.

“Hey, Manda, her name is Becca, and she’s probably going to start wondering where I am, so I can’t talk long.”

“Oooh, she’s over then?”

“Yes.”

“When are you bringing her home?”

“Hopefully for Mom and Dad’s party.”

“Why only hopefully?”

“I haven’t actually invited her yet.”

“I’m sure she’ll be excited. I can’t wait to meet her. Go have fun.”

“I will. Tell Mom goodbye for me.”

“Can do.”

I hung up and walked back inside, glad to hear the water running. Becca liked long showers—it looked like I’d get to join her after all.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Becca

“You want me to come home with you?” I tried to wrap my head around the words coming out of Gavin’s mouth. I stopped short about a quarter of the way down the beach.

“Yeah, it’s their forty-fifth anniversary, and they decided it was the year to celebrate. We can go after work on Friday and come back Sunday.”

“Is this because you feel bad leaving me? Because it’s okay. I don’t mind spending the weekend alone. Things are normal with Jake again, so I’m sure we’ll hang out.” Molly and Ben were flying out to see her family in Seattle. I had a feeling they were going to share the baby news.

“And that’s supposed to convince me you should stay?” His expression was serious, but there was a playfulness to it that let me know he wasn’t really worried.

I laughed. “Please don’t start in on Jake again.”

“I won’t. But you’ll come with me, right?”

“I don’t know, Gavin. Doesn’t it seem a little early for this sort of thing? We haven’t even known each other that long.” Things were moving fast—almost too fast.

“It’s just a weekend. Two nights. I want you to meet my family, and that’s going to be hard to do once you go back to Boston.”

He always talked like it was assumed things would work with me going back, but I wasn’t so sure. I had no experience with relationships, let alone long distance ones. It wasn’t going to be easy.

“Please.” He stopped walking, and took my hand. “Please.”

That puppy dog face was impossible to say ‘no’ to. “If you really want me to…”

“Really? That’s awesome. Everyone’s going to be so excited.” He pulled me against him, kissing me gently.

Talking about meeting his family made me a little tense. “Are you okay?”

I suddenly felt vulnerable, and my mother’s words flowed through my head. “You can never trust anyone but yourself.” I couldn’t do it—I couldn’t take such a big step forward. “I don’t think I can go with you. I’m sorry.”

“Nuh uh. No backing out now. It’s going to be fun.”

“You can’t be sure of that.” I started to panic.

“Yes, I can.” He still hadn’t dropped his arms.

“Okay, how about we drive separately? That way if your family hates me, I can leave.”

“What?” He laughed deep in his chest. “Please tell me that’s a joke.”

“No… It’s only a five hour drive. I don’t mind doing it myself.”

He dropped Max’s leash. “Becca, we’re not driving separately, and my family is going to love you. I have a better idea.”

“What?”

“How about you agree to come for one night, and if you really want to leave, we can come back late Saturday after the party? Otherwise, we’ll stay until Sunday.”

I knew I was making an important decision. Telling Gavin ‘no’ would ring a death knell for our relationship. I’d be telling him I wasn’t serious enough, and I’d lose him. But going meant I was opening myself up to being hurt even more. It was with some surprise that I found myself nodding. “Okay, it’s a deal.”

“Good.” He kissed my forehead. “Ready to head home?”

He always said stuff like that—referring to his place as home, as if it were mine too. I wondered if he knew that part of me wished it were. It wasn’t going to be easy leaving him at the end of the summer. I’d miss him, and I’d miss how incredibly safe and comfortable I always felt in his arms. Just being at his side allowed me to live so much more. I wasn’t looking over my shoulder. I wasn’t worried about anything or anyone hurting me.

“Sure. Let’s go.”

***

“Becca, we’re almost there.” Gavin nudged me, speaking softly.

I yawned and stretched. “Wow, I was out a while, huh?”

He laughed. “Yeah, but that’s okay. The way you tossed and turned last night, I doubt you got much sleep.”

“No. I was pretty nervous.”

“I figured, but there’s nothing to be nervous about.”

“That’s easy for you to say.” I tried to get out a crick in my neck. Sleeping in the car wasn’t always the best idea. “I know you didn’t want to do this, but I’m glad you agreed to come. It’s important to me.”

“You’ve made that clear.”

He reached over and took my hand. “We’re doing this together. I’m not going to dump you at my house and run or anything, I promise. I’ll be with you the whole time.”

I forced a smile. “Okay, let’s do this.”

Gavin pulled into a long driveway in front of a large, white, colonial style house. “This is it. Home sweet home.”

I unbuckled my seatbelt, but was still sitting there when Gavin came around and opened my door. He’d already pulled our stuff out of the back. “You’re not going to stay in the car all night, are you?”