Page 53 of Even if You Fall

I’d already known my family wouldn’t see this as anything other than me bringing home someone I wanted to spend my life with. But long ago, I’d told my parents I would never bring anyone home, and why. They’d tried to be understanding, all while urging me to go to the therapy Briggs had already forced me into, and asking if I’d met someone yet.

The hope that thenext timewould be the time I brought someone home had died a little more each time I’d come alone. My mom hadn’t even bothered asking when I’d called her last night to let her know I was coming back.

This was everything she wanted for me.

Not just to findsomeone...but for me to battle my demons enough to let someonein.

And it wasn’t real.

As if sensing the meaning behind the tears, Chloe hurriedly said, “Oh, no. No, no. I’m not—we’re—wait, hi. Hi, I’m Chloe, and it’s so great to meet y’all; but I’m not dating your son.” Shegestured to me before continuing her ramble. “We just work together, and he—very unfortunately—got stuck protecting me for the next week from some mafia family back in Dallas.”

My dad watched as I finished translating and was the first to react—tipping his head back with a scratchy laugh that was quickly echoed by my mom’s.

“Oh, you’re darling,” Mom said adoringly, signing reflexively, even though my dad was behind her.

“But it’s true,” Chloe maintained, looking to me for help, her brow furrowing as her eyes narrowed on my moving hands.

“Co-workers at best. Thinkfriendswould even be a stretch,” I confirmed and watched as understanding and mortification washed over Chloe’s features before she could fix her mask back into place. “Briggs demanded I bring her here because we needed to split up the people who were being targeted.”

My mom scoffed and muttered, “Why she puts up with you, I have no idea,” in Spanish as she stomped over to smack the back of my head before pulling me in to kiss my cheek. “But I’m thankful.”

“Mom,” I began, trying to get her to listen to me, but she’d already turned back to Chloe and added in English, “You have no idea how long we’ve hoped and waited for you.”

Chloe’s mask faltered, and Sam burst out laughing, continuing even after his wife smacked his chest.

“Really, I don’t—” Chloe began, only to cut off when my dad picked her up in a bear hug.

When he set her down, I spoke softly as he signed, “Welcome to the family.”

My chest ached, but I just met Chloe’s helpless stare when she looked back at me.

I’d told her. I’d warned her.

There would be no convincing my family this wasn’t real, and it would destroy them when they were finally forced to realize it the next time I came alone.

Then again, after half a day of arguing and watching her mask of joy fully change every stranger she encountered, I had a feeling it would destroy me the next time I came home without my little threat too.

“Talk to me, Bubbles,” Adam said from where he’d followed me into the room I would be staying in for the next week, hours after we’d arrived at his parents’ house and long after his sisters and brother-in-law had arrived.

They hadn’t believed me either.

I dropped my bag on the floor and whirled on him. Flinging my hand in the direction of the door he was shutting behind us, a laugh of frustration, humiliation, and defeat punched from me. Well, more likerasped, considering my mouth was incredibly dry and my lungs seemed to only be working at half-capacity the past few hours. Not that I was panicking over that or anything.

I kind of regretted stealthily dumping that drink Adam made me earlier. But, you know...he’d done something sweet and made my heart trip all over itself. I’d had to shut that nonsense down.

“Why do they all think I’m being funny?” I demanded, my voice a harsh whisper. “Why do they think this is some joke I keep repeating as an icebreaker? I’ve never been funny, Adam, and this is the furthest thing from funny.”

His stare briefly fell to my shirt in a pointed look. “I’d say you have a sense of humor.”

Startled, I glanced down to see myAlienshirt of a facehugger holding aFree Hugssign. “Iam not funny,” I told him. “That’s beside the point. Why would they think this is a joke?”

“I warned you,” he said in a tone that let me know it was my fault for not believing him.

But at his reminder, I was already past my initial demand and asking, “Why didn’t you warn me?” His head snapped back, a look crossing his face as if he was sure he’d heard me wrong. “I had no warning with your dad.”

“Wait, what?” he asked, surprised and a little angry at the change in conversation.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I begged.

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