Page 83 of Blitz'd

A flash of nervousness crosses his face, but Kerian hides it quickly. “Yeah, okay.”

“Trust me?”

We take the last exit and I stop at a red light. I look over at him and see different emotions cross his face—that initial nervousness, wariness, then resignation. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

The light turns green, but I lean over and kiss him anyway, ignoring the horns honking behind us. “I trust you too,” I say against his lips.

“Yeah, yeah. Drive before someone fucking road rages us.”

I chuckle and pull off just as the light turns yellow. I look in the rearview and see the guy behind us flipping me off. Oh well. Kissing Kerian is worth him missing the light.

While we drive through my hometown, I point out places to Kerian—my high school, our local skate park where I’d hang out with my friends, where my father is buried, the movie theater where I had my first job. It’s probably nerves that have me pointing everything out along the way. I wanted him to come home with me, but what if he hates it? What if he doesn’t like my family? I promised myself I wouldn’t date someone who kept me away from my family after Megan. I can’t give Kerian up, but I would still put my family first.

I don’t want it to come to that.

I turn into our driveway, pulling up behind Colson’s work truck. “We’re here.”

Seeing my childhood home after months of being away makes me smile. I know the four walls of that house are packed to the brim with deep affection and acceptance. I’ve never known a bad day in this house. I’ve never felt hate, anger, or neglect in that house. Colson and I have been surrounded by love.

Kerian looks through the windshield, squinting his eyes. “You grew up here?” A look I can’t decipher crosses his face.

I look back at it, trying to see it as he does. It’s a modest brick house, with a large black door and black shutters. The porch is small, only enough room for a potted plant and the welcome mat. The garden could use some sprucing, but most of the shrubs and plants are still alive. My mother added some lights to the path, and since it’s close to dusk they’re on, illuminating the walkway.

It’s small and cozy, but this is my home.

Smiling, I nod and open the door. “Yeah, I did. I’ll show you my room. You might get lucky.” I wink at him before I step out of the car. I pull my bag from the back seat and go around the passenger side to grab his hand. “Come on.”

“I didn’t pack anything,” he says, eyeing my pack.

“Don’t worry.” I pat the bag. “I got you covered. Even got you some underwear.” He raises an eyebrow at me and I cackle. “They’re brand new, Slade.”

He opens his mouth to say something, but the front door flies open and my mother fills the doorway. “Zander! I wasn’t expecting you!”

She pushes the screen door open and has me wrapped in her arms before I can get across the threshold. I sink into the hug, breathing in her familiar scent. She’s smelled like flowers since I can remember, the scent always making me think of love and warm hugs.

Mom pulls back, looking me over. “You’re skinny. Are you not eating?”

I have to fight to keep my eye roll to myself. “I am eating, Mom. I have practice too. Working off calories.”

She waves me off with a tut. “Or you’re not eating enough.”

This time, I do roll my eyes, earning me a swat from the towel she has thrown over her shoulder. I chuckle and move back, standing beside Kerian. “Mom, this is Kerian. My boy—myfriend. Kerian, this is my mom, Beth.”

I’m shocked to see a friendly smile cross Kerian’s face, so unlike the cocky grin I’m used to. He steps forward with his hand outstretched. “Nice to meet you.”

Mom smiles up at him, her eyes twinkling. “Friend, huh?” She winks at me, then gently bats Kerian’s hand out of the way. Like he’s not over six feet—at least a foot taller than her—she pulls him into a hug. “It’s a pleasure to meet the man who has my boy so smitten.”

“Mom,” I groan, looking at Kerian in embarrassment. But Kerian isn’t looking at me with laughter dancing in his eyes. No, he looks shocked, almost panicked. Like he doesn’t know how to respond to my mother’s casual affection.

Just as I’m ready to put him out of his misery and break the hug, he hesitantly wraps his arms around her. It’s awkward, but Mom either doesn’t mind or doesn’t care. She pulls back to look at him, frowning slightly. “You’re thin too. Come on. I’ll make some dinner. How do pancakes sound?”

When Kerian smiles down at her, it looks more solid this time, morereal. “I like pancakes.”

“So do I,” Colson says, coming from the kitchen. “Good to see you, little bro.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I give him a one shouldered hug. “You remember Kerian.” I thumb behind me.

“Your pitbull. Is he gonna attack again?”

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