Page 121 of Interference

“Yep.” Anthony chuckled. “I don’t know what the deal was, but my teammate said the first year he brought his wife home, she was like…” He made an exaggeratedly confused face.

“Oh, man. I can’t decide if that would be super awkward or hilarious.”

“Well, for his teammates, it was fucking hilarious.” He shrugged. “The wife? Eh, you’d have to ask her.”

“Wow. Okay, I can promise my family doesn’t have any secret traditions involving undergarments.”

“Good, good.” He glanced at me again, one eyebrow up. “So what traditions do you have?”

“Hmm.” I quirked my lips and patted his hand, which was still clasping mine. “They might be more fun if they’re a surprise.”

“Wyatt…”

“I’m just saying.” I put up my free hand. “The whole point of weird traditions is to spring them on new people and see how they react. If I spoil them, then…”

“Oh, God,” he groaned, shaking his head. “I’m so fucked.”

“Well, yes. You will be. But that’s you and me at the hotel, so don’t change the subject.”

Anthony actually shivered. Squirming in the driver seat, he glanced at me. “Oh yeah? So we’re going to make full use of the room’s amenities?”

“Are you kidding?” I squeezed his hand before letting go and reaching for my coffee. “I’m staying in a nice hotel with a hot guy. You better believe we’re using those amenities.”

He fidgeted again. “Goddammit. Are we there yet?”

“What? Are you getting impatient already?”

“What do you think?”

“Okay. Fair.” I exhaled. “Damn it, now I’m impatient, too. Fuck.”

We exchanged theatrically pained glances.

And yeah, seriously—were we there yet?

In retrospect, spending an hour in our hotel room before we headed to my parents’ house was a damned good idea. After three solid hours of winding each other up on the road, we’d both been too keyed up for polite society, and it had taken two orgasms apiece to take care of that.

Now that we were dressed and driving over to my folks’ place, I was glad we’d taken a little time to ourselves. I was wound up, both with excitement and nerves, and I would’ve been an absolute wreck if I hadn’t blown off some steam with Anthony. I wouldn’t call myself anything close to calm, but I was a hell of a lot better than I would’ve been otherwise.

And at a little past five, with my heart in my throat, I gestured up ahead of us. “That’s the driveway. On the left.”

Anthony craned his neck as he eased off the gas. “That one? With the black mailbox?”

“Yeah. You should be able to park in front of the garage.”

He nodded and pulled into my parents’ driveway. As expected, there was room in front of the closed garage, and he eased to a stop. After he’d shut off the engine, he turned to me. “You ready?”

I looked up at the house and swallowed hard, both excitement and dread twisting around each other in my stomach. I wanted to be here. I’d ached to see my parents for a long, long time, especially knowing that time was running out. But that ticking clock didn’t exist in a vacuum, and my mom didn’t like worrying me, so I had no idea how my dad was really doing. What we were walking into.

Behind me, Lily’s tags jingled, and the seat creaked with her movement. She nosed my shoulder and pawed my arm.

I took off my seat belt and twisted around. “I’m okay, baby.” I didn’t know why I bothered lying to my dog or my boyfriend. God knew they could both see right through me.

And we weren’t going to spend the whole trip sitting out here, so I rolled my shoulders and inhaled deeply. “I’m ready. Just…” I lowered my gaze. “This is probably going to be hard.”

Anthony took my hand and squeezed gently. “Say so if you need a breather or something. I’m following your lead, okay?”

I met his gaze and had to fight hard not to tear up. I had no idea what I’d done in this lifetime or the ten before it to deserve this man. Whatever it was, I’d have done it all again in a heartbeat.

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