Page 52 of The Roommate Situation

I hate how sad my best friend sounds, even over text, and wish there was something I could do, but I guess the only thing to do is make sure he knows I’m here when he’s ready to talk.

The next day we spend at home, just relaxing, watching movies and playing games as a family.

The following day, Dad goes to an art gallery with me while the girls go to a movie. And the day after that we go skiing as a family.

On Christmas Eve we go sledding at a hill nearby and while I’ve been texting with Parker over the past couple of days and talked to him almost every night, it’s not the same as having him here. I just know he would love this. He would love everything we’ve done. Oreo even came into my room once and laid down where the air mattress used to be, looking so sad I had tears sliding down my cheeks again. She climbed up on my bed after that, and I hugged her while I cried.

Christmas morning is beautiful. There’s a fresh blanket of snow on the ground and the fireplace is roaring. Mom has made her amazing cinnamon rolls again. There’s coffee and hotchocolate and the tree looks amazing with all the lights lit up. Of course looking at it makes me think of Parker again, and my chest squeezes painfully.

I get some art supplies, some clothes, some books, and the girls squeal when they open their presents from me. I got Addison a science kit and Ava a jewelry making kit.

I’m up in my room putting my gifts away when there’s a knock on the door. I turn to see Dad standing there, a soft smile on his rugged face.

“Hey, can I come in?” he asks, and I nod. He sits on the bed and pats the spot next to him. It’s been a while since Dad and I had a chat, but I’m very familiar with the gesture. He did the same thing when I came out at the age of twelve, and when I was being bullied in school. And when I was scared of learning to drive. And before I left for college.

Tears are already filling my eyes when I sit down next to him and I wipe them away.

“Listen, bud,” he starts, his voice gentle as he grips my shoulder and squeezes. “Your Mom and I wanted to see how you’re doing. You’ve seemed sad since you got here and we want to make sure everything is okay.”

“Yeah,” I nod, wiping tears away again, but more keep coming. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He gives me a rueful smile and I flush. “It’s okay if you’re not fine. It’s okay if you miss him, son.”

I start to sob then and bury my face in Dad’s shoulder as he wraps his arm around me. “I shouldn’t miss him this much,” I sniffle. “It’s only been a few days, and I’m with you guys.”

He chuckles and his shoulder moves against me. “Love doesn’t work that way, bud.”

I raise my head and stare at him. I swallow. “I don’t–” He levels me with a look that says he wasn’t born yesterday and I flush again.

“Wanna try that again?” he says, his voice a mixture of compassion and humor.

“Shit,” I say, more tears sliding down my cheeks as I bury my face in Dad’s shoulder again. “I’m in love with him.”

“I know,” he says, rubbing my back.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so miserable. I don’t mean to be rude. I really am enjoying being home.”

“I know that, too,” he says. “And we’re glad to have you here. But we need you to leave.”

“What?” I say, raising my head again, eyes wide.

He laughs and grips the back of my neck. “You need to see him, Rory. And if you’re feeling brave enough, you need to tell him how you feel.”

“But I don't go back to school for a week,” I point out.

“I know, but your Mom and I were thinking that maybe you’d like to fly out to see Parker over break.”

My eyes widen even further. “What?”

“We want you to be happy, Rory. And we know you love us, but we also knew that at some point you would meet someone who would be the man you deserved and that he would come first.”

“But, Ava and Addison–“

“Will be fine. They are perceptive, too, and they love you. I think if you don’t get on a plane and tell that boy how you feel, they might not let you join their tea parties anymore.” He grins and so do I.

Twenty four hours later, I’m climbing out of the Uber that dropped me off in front of what I’m hoping is Parker’s house, or this is going to be hella awkward. I didn’t tell him I was coming. Ikinda wanted to surprise him, or maybe I am still trying to screw up the courage to tell him how I feel, but I’m telling myself it’s the former, or I might pass out. My parents said they talked with Parker’s parents, so I’m not surprising everyone.

The weather is beautiful. It’s mid afternoon in California, sunny, warm, and just about perfect with the breeze ruffling my hair as I take a deep breath and knock on the front door.

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