Page 247 of Scoring the Player
“Yeah,” he says, quirking a smile as he follows my gaze. “They’re very proud.”
I huff out a laugh as I take in the array of multi-colored glass tubes, star shapes, and feathers.
“Ready?”
“Yeah.” I rub my palms on my jeans. “No. Fuck. I’m nervous.”
“We can take a walk first?”
I shake my head. “Come on.”
He’s been excited about this for weeks. Me even more so once the initial terror passed after officially setting a date and time.
I reach for my shades and then pause, dropping them back into the cup holder, before turning and retrieving the bouquet of flowers from the back seat.
Climbing out of the car, I use the driver’s door window to straighten out my button-down shirt.
“You’re beautiful,” he says, holding out his hand.
When we reach the front door, he winks at me before pushing the bell.
I squeeze his hand as my heart starts pounding when a woman’s voice calls out, “Be right there.”
“I love you too,” I blurt out right before the door swings open.
Salem’s mom grins at us. “Look at you two! Come in, come in.”
Salem chuckles as we step inside. “Hey, Mom.” He reaches in and gives her a hug and kiss on the cheek. “I want you to meet my boyfriend, Arnaz. Blue, please meet my mom.”
“H-hello, Mrs. Jones,” I greet her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Her eyes crinkle as her gaze pings between us. A deep brown complexion like my mom, her salt-and-pepper hair is swept back in a thick braid. She’s barefoot, wearing an indigo-blue linen shorts set and a black-beaded necklace with a gold accent hanging from her neck.
“The pleasure is mine.” She rests a hand on Salem’s arm and says, “Oh, isn’t he just the cutest?”
Salem chuckles, nodding in agreement.
“May I hug you?” she asks me.
“Sure,” I answer. I can’t help but smile as she squeezes me tight and Salem mouths,I told you.
“None of that Mrs. Jones stuff,” she says as she releases me. “Call me Maya.” She turns to Salem, and a look passes between them that makes Salem’s grin spread.
“Who is it, Maya?” a deep voice calls from somewhere in the house.
“They’re here!” she answers over her shoulder as the sound of footsteps draws near.
A tall man with broad shoulders, in a crisp white polo, navy blue shorts, and flip-flops, rounds the corner.
“Hey Dad!” Salem greets him.
“Give him the same adorable intro you gave me,” his mom says, making me snicker as Salem shakes his head, laughing.
“Dad,” Salem starts, his dimples deepening as his mom squeals. “I want you to meet my boyfriend, Arnaz. Blue, I want you to meet my dad.”
His mom and dad trade grins before his dad strings his arm over Salem’s shoulder and pats his chest. “Good job. That was a very fine intro.”
We all laugh as his dad’s eyes cut to me. “Hello, Arnaz.”
