Page 31 of Not A Whisper

“Is there a reason for this phone call or is it just to give me gray hairs?” I demand.

“Yeah, it’s about dinner tonight. Dad said that your family was cooking tonight, Jay. He got the ok for all of us to join them. Grant can’t come but you game?”

Jason nods unnecessarily. “Yeah, what time?”

“Dinner’s at five.” In the background I can hear an engine roar to life. “See you in a few hours.”

Trip hangs up before either of us can bid him farewell.

“If you want, I think I have time to whip up a dessert before you head over there tonight.” I flip through the different ingredients I have at home. I have fresh fruit and heavy whipping cream… A Jell-O cake with fruit on top and homemade icing would be easy and quick?—

“We.”

When I look over at him, I find him giving me a curious look. “What?”

“Trip saidallof us.” Jason points out, a smile forming around his lips. “You’re coming too.”

Me? Go to dinner at their family’s house?

“No.” The word is out of my mouth before shock can squeeze my throat closed.

“What question did I miss, dollie?”

“Jason,no.” I shake my head. “I’m not going to meet your parents, or Trip’s dad. That’s wildly inappropriate.”

“How?”

I don’t answer him. The blood drains from my face as I think about how horrible a meeting like this could go. My head is shaking faster now, denial growing stronger with each passing cornstalk we drive by. I flinch when Jason’s hand squeezes my thigh.

“Hey, dollie, relax. It’s just dinner.”

I push his hand off me. “I’m not going.”

“What’s the problem?” he asks. “Afraid they won’t like you? Trust me, they already adore you.”

I decide it’s best to ignore him. Jason’s hand comes back to my thigh. As I attempt to knock it off me again, he grabs metight.

“Jason!”

“Seriously, dollie, what’s wrong?” He glances at me again, and this time his expression is serious. “Theywantto meet you. They all do, including Carlos.”

I wish they didn’t even know about me. But of course Trip would tell his dad who he learned about Delmarva’s Angels from—the nonprofit that helped cover his chemotherapy treatments a few months back. And I’ve been making Jason’s parents two dinners a week every Sunday night for him to take to them. After he told me about how much they work and the struggle to keep things afloat—how could I not help? But Jason easily could’ve said it was him making each meal.

The thought of meeting Trip and Jason’s families leaves a sour taste in my mouth. A bitterness I’m responsible for. I was the one who wanted to continue our little complicated mess of a relationship—I just didn’t think we’d ever go downthisroute. Involving other people? Like my friends and their families? It makes me feel uncomfortable.

“Jason, how do you think this dinner will go down?” I ask, trying hard to keep my voice calm. “I’m ten years older than you. That right there is going to be a red flag. Then there’s the fact I’m a librarian at yourschool. I’m sure they wouldn’t approve of a member of the school’s faculty going after their kid like some type of… I don’t know,predator.” I cringe. “And, of course, last but not least—I’m seeing youandboth of your friends. There’s nothing traditional about us. What parent wants this for their kid? I’m not girlfriend material.”

Just saying it all out loud makes my stomach roll.

Rather than looking convinced, Jason simply smirks. It’s directed out toward the road in front of us but I know it’s for me all the same.

“Of course it isn’t girlfriend material.” He rolls his eyes and smirks. “It’sfiancéematerial.”

I gasp. “Wait, you didn’t tell them?—”

“Not yet, but feel free to let them know if you want.” He shrugs, clearly unperturbed.

My eyes slide over his profile as he stares straight ahead. There’s no way he’s this nonchalant about me meeting his parents. This has to be him just working me up. He gets off on that, as do the others. While Jason may come off as the group’s happy-go-lucky, people-pleasing golden retriever, he’s just as dangerous as the other two. Maybe even more so because he is so charming.

---