Page 81 of Need You to Choose Me

I smile easily at her despite the label that she put on us. It’s not that far off to assume, so I don’t bother correcting her. I figure Alex can if he wants to, but he doesn’t say a thing. He didn’t correct the waitress when she called me ‘his girl’ either.

I tuck that information away to think about a different day. “It’s nice to meet you…”

“Colleen,” she says. “Come in. I don’t know where my son’s manners are, leaving you out in the hallway. Alex, get her bag.”

The woman who looks like she belongs in a nineties fashion magazine has way more strength than I give her credit for. She pulls me inside with force that makes my eyes widen, leaving Alex to grab the small duffle full of clothes that I left on the floor.

“So, Olive, what do you do?” Colleen asks me, bringing me over to the couch and sitting us down.

I look over my shoulder at Alex, who is watching us carefully as he sets my bag on the floor inside. When I look back at his mother, I smile at her. “I’m a student, actually. At Lindon. I’m going to graduate in the spring.”

Colleen beams. “I can’t believe we haven’t met before. I used to come to some of Alex’s games. I’m sad he never introduced us.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her that I rarely stuck around to be introduced. It’s not totally Alex’s fault. I knew his mother was there once in a while, but I never pushed him to meet her. I didn’t think that was allowed in our agreement. Then again, falling in love wasn’t part of it either.

Alex clears his throat. “Ma…”

“Hush, Alex,” she chides, pulling my hand into her lap and patting it. “Oh! We were just about to go out to get some food. You should come with us so we can get to know each other.”

Alex sighs, and when I look over he’s pinching the bridge of his nose. I’m not sure if he hates the idea of going out together or the fact that his mother wants to get to know me. Or both.

“I’m not sure. I ate on the way here…” If you count gas station snacks and a large Coke from McDonalds. But whatever.

Colleen looks at Alex. “Convince her to come, honey. She came all this way to see you. We both did.”

Did he know his mother was coming to visit? Or was both of our appearances a surprise to him? I’m tempted to ask, but I swallow the words.

Chickenshit,the inner voice taunts me.

I shut it down.

“There’s a decent place around the block,” Alex relents, rubbing the back of his neck. “They have pretty good stuff. Nothing fancy. Chicken tenders,” he adds, looking toward me. “And good breakfast. No mimosas, though.”

My lips twitch upward.

“Perfect,” Colleen answers, standing up. She looks at me expectantly. “You’re coming, right? I would love to know more about what you’re studying and how you and my son met. He doesn’t talk much about himself these days. I worry about him.”

“Mom,” Alex grumbles. “Enough.”

She shrugs it off, ignoring him. “He’s a little upset because I showed up without telling him.”

“That’s not it,” he cuts in, eyeing her. “I told you why I’m upset.”

Colleen waves him off. “Pat was a perfect gentleman. He didn’t want me to walk the whole way here. You should be thankful for good people like him.”

Walk? I’m so confused.

Alex drops his head back. “The point is, it could have been anyone who picked you up. People don’t hitchhike anymore unless they’re on drugs or stranded.”

Did Colleenhitchhikeall the way from Lindon? That’s scarily impressive.

Before I can ask her if that’s true, she replies to Alex. “Iwasstranded. Or did you forget that you abandoned me there?”

Whoa. Discomfort settles into my stomach as I glance between them. “Maybe I should let you two talk.”

Colleen wraps her arm around mine and tugs me into her side. “Nonsense, Olive. We’re going to get food. I’m sure once Alex eats something he’ll be less cranky. He was always like that when he was hungry, and it’s no wonder. The only thing he has here is those disgusting nut bars and some milk that’s probably spoiled.”

“It’s not spoiled,” he defends. “I got it a few days ago.”

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