Page 94 of Matched Up

‘What are you trying to say?’I asked, outraged.‘That I’m bringing bad vibes to the party?Maybe, Shane O’Connoll, you can’t be good at everything.’

He laughed.‘I’m definitely not good at everything.’

I rolled my eyes.‘Had me fooled.Dodgems!We’re doing it,’ I said and pulled him towards the back of the arcades.‘Get in, you’re driving.I’ve had enough of being everyone’s chauffeur.’Also, using the car pedals hurt my calf a bit.It was technically ‘better’ but it still twinged now and again, especially after the match.

‘Yes, sir,’ he said and pretended to look scared.

We didn’t do much driving.It was too dark and there were two other couples who seemed content with crashing into each other, so nobody noticed us kissing in the corner.

We spent the next hour walking around Ferndale, hands twisted together.We walked through the park and towards the fountain that reminded me of that night at Zoe’s.We sat down on the edge.

‘Will you come to my house to meet my parents?’he said.‘They’d really like to meet you.Properly.’

I’d dreamed about this moment before.I’d thought about how nice it would be to see where he came from, to be part of his world.

‘I’d love to,’ I said, and he looked relieved.‘Did you think I was going to say no?’

‘I just worry, you know.Dad, it’s such a big thing for somepeople.I’ve seen people’s reactions to him sometimes, making excuses to leave, awkward smiles; it’s really sad to watch, because I know how much he loves people.’

‘I’m more worried about what he’ll think ofme,’ I said.And I meant it.

‘He’ll adore you, Lexie.Just don’t tell him you support United.’

I laughed.

‘Oh, and I still haven’t told him I’ve gone back to Ferndale,’ Shane said, sounding guilty.

I squeezed his hand.‘How come?’

‘It just never felt like the right time, you know?He was so sick, and then he was better, but everything’s still such a struggle and I couldn’t face disappointing him, not after all that.’

‘I get it.Does your mum know?’

Shane nodded.‘She thinks it’s great.She never wanted me to leave.And she said Dad would be fine with it.But I’m still worried, you know?’

‘Yeah, I get it.Don’t worry, we can come up with a plan to tell him, I’ll help.’

‘Thanks.’

‘You still OK to come over tomorrow for dinner?’I asked and my stomach flipped.I was so excited to show him off.

‘Wouldn’t miss it.’

34

I only spent about thirty minutes getting ready.Not the hours I’d usually take if I had a date.Shane made me feel comfortable, like I didn’thaveto be perfect.But I still wanted to look good, so I did curl my hair and put on lip gloss, but I wasn’t meticulous, and I definitely wasn’t perfect.But that was OK.

When I’d finished getting ready, Megan knocked on my door.

‘You read–’ she said as she walked in, stopping mid-word as she saw me.‘Lex, you look amazing.How do you expect him to chat to your parents when you look like that?’She sat down on the bed.

I laughed.‘I’m sure he’ll manage.But you think this is OK?’I gave her a spin of my new Barcelona shirt that I’d tucked into my favourite shorts.The ones Shane loved.Megan gave me a very enthusiastic thumbs up.

‘How do you think it’ll go?Think your parents will like him?’

‘I think so?’I cocked my head in the mirror.‘Mum’s just so excited I have a boyfriend, I’d be really surprised if she didn’t like him.’

‘Yeah, I mean, he’s super likable … and super hot.’

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