Page 22 of Anytime I Want

“Of course!” Mom gushes. “Now, tell us all about the flowers. They’re beautiful. What inspired you to act on these feelings?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Dad’s fork is hanging from his hand, full of food, seemingly forgotten. His eyes are wide, and I can’t quite read him. “Feelings? Is this really what we want to talk about over dinner? My daughter and my best friend’s son’s feelings?

“Oh, hush, Connor. You’ve said your piece. Now, I want to hear about Graham and Julia’s love story!”

“Love story?” I groan.Is this the most embarrassing meal I’ve ever been a part of?“If you all want me to stay here, this conversation ends now. This is too much.” My face is on fire.

Dad leans forward intently, his gaze switching between us quickly. “Now, wait. These feelings. They are staying out of bedrooms, right? No sneaking through windows or meeting in backyards or old tree forts? I’ve watched a lot of romantic movies with Theresa over the years, and I know what goes on with these teenagers.” He turns his gaze on Graham. “Do you understand me? I know where you live, right down to the bedroom. Like I said, I’m good friends with your dad. I could sway him to my side.” Graham gulps and looks a little confused but mostly terrified.

“Uh. No, sir. I mean, yes, sir. No bedroom feelings.” My dad straightens in his seat while I choke on my chicken. “Whoa, I mean, wait. No feelings in bedrooms or even in this house, sir. They’ll stay in my house, far away from here. Just, no. I understand. I get it. Sorry, sir. No feelings, sir.”

“Good.” Dad picks up his water glass, makes eye contact with Graham and Mom before taking a drink. As he puts his glassdown, he looks at me, and I see that telltale twinkle in his eye. He’s messing with Graham, and poor Graham has no idea.

After another hour of eating and cleaning, Graham went home with palpable relief on his face. I wasn’t worried about it. I know Dad loves Graham and loves teasing people more than anything. It’s tough though because he never gives it up. It’s hard to know if he is joking or not, and Graham definitely has not been the target of his game quite like this before. I walk into the living room after bidding Graham good night to see Mom and Dad laughing on the couch.

“Bedroom feelings!” Mom is laughing so hard, I can barely understand her. Dad is wiping his eyes again, and I roll my eyes at them.

“Dad, was that strictly necessary? He was terrified.”

“Necessary? No. Enjoyable? Absolutely. That poor kid. I regret nothing. Let’s have him over once a week at least. That was so much fun. I need to call Kai and tell him all about it. He’ll be so jealous he doesn’t have a daughter so he can mess with her boy.” He slaps his knee for emphasis, looking around for his phone.

Mom calms down, takes a few deep breaths, and pats the couch between them. “Later, Connor. First let’s have Julia tell us all about this. I’ve been waiting years for one of you to finally admit that you like each other.”

“It’s just a bet, Mom.”

“A bet?” My dad raises his eyebrows, looking concerned. “He is betting on you, and you are going along with it?”

“No, no, it’s not like that. Remember my list? Of things a boy needed to do to date me? He bet me that he could fulfill every item on the list by Christmas, and if he does, then I’ll date him for real, starting with Mom’s gala.”

“I don’t think this is—”

“She knows. We’ve discussed it,” Mom interrupts. “It’s okay. I trust her. But remember, baby, trust your heart. It’s a good one, and it won’t steer you wrong.”

“Yeah, especially if you focus on your heart and not all those other feelings, bedroom or otherwise.” Dad cracks up. Nathan walks into the living room just in time to hear bedroom feelings and his forehead creases.

“Do I even want to know what’s going on here?” Nathan asks, looking around at all of us with a half-confused, half-disgusted look on his face. We all look at each other and collapse into laughter with a confused Nathan chuckling before leaving to find some dinner.

Julia

Thanks for putting up with dinner tonight. My parents are crazy.

Graham

I’d do anything for you. But I would be lying if I said I won’t think twice next time I get invited to dinner. What was up with your dad? He was my buddy and then terrifying. He just flipped a switch and suddenly, my life flashed before my eyes. I never understood how that felt before. I miss him liking me.

Julia

Haha!

Don’t worry, if he didn’t like you, he’d just ignore you. He only teases people he likes.

Graham

That’s good news, I guess. Maybe I should do something so he’ll like me a little less, tease me less.

Like date his only daughter?

Julia

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