Page 91 of Body Shot

“I’m a big fan,” Dad replies. “But Sam isn’t bad. And you know, American-made, so I try to have a little loyalty to US brands.”

“Fair enough.” Anders salutes him with his beer.

“Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes,” Mom says, “but I made some appetizers. Why don’t you boys go on out to the living room while Claudia and I get them ready?”

I start to protest but Mom gives me a look, the same one she’s been giving me since I was a kid, and even though I’m not afraid of her anymore, I don’t want to embarrass her either.

Good grief.

I know what’s about to happen and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

My dad is going to have some kind of “talk” with Anders, and I’m not sure if I want to giggle or strangle my parents.

I cut a worried glance at Anders, but he seems more amused than anything else, and winks at me before following my father out of the room.

I whirl on my mother as soon as we’re alone.

“I’m not sixteen!” I hiss under my breath.

She chuckles. “We know that. If you recall, your father never did this with any of those boys.”

“Because I never brought any home!” I huff.

She turns serious, eyeing me. “And that’s exactly why your father is worried.”

“Worried?”

“He’s…well, he’s a professional athlete. A really good-looking one who makes a lot of money.” She emphasizes the last part.

“How do you know that?” I demand.

She shrugs. “Salaries are public information. Teams have to disclose how much the players are making.”

I flush, because it never occurred to me to look.

I know he makes a lot, but I never thought about searching the internet for the exact number.

“This,” she says, watching my face. “Thisis exactly why your dad and I worry about you. You’re inexperienced, probably a lot more naïve than other women your age, and we just want to make sure he’s not going to hurt you.”

“You can’t control that!” I protest. “It’s been a month. Anything can happen. We’re still getting to know each other!”

“Right, but there’s no harm in your father having a man-to-man talk with him. If he’s truly as wonderful as you say he is, what’s the worst that can happen?”

“I die of embarrassment,” I snap.

She shrugs. “You were going to do that anyway. You’re always embarrassed when it comes to boys. Men. The opposite sex.”

I sigh because she’s right.

“Look, your father isn’t going to do anything to scare him away. He just wants to get a feel for the man he is, one on one. Why is that wrong?”

It’s probably not.

It’s just humiliating.

And unnecessary.

If he’s going to hurt me, I got into this relationship fully prepared for that. I won’t like it, obviously, but it’s part of life and I’d rather have the memories of being with him than never knowing him at all.

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