Page 95 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
I shake my head. “I’m really serious about my online channel. I’ve gotten really popular the last few weeks. I want to make a career out of it.”
Dad sighs. “But what kind of future is that? You need something stable. How can you make a living on something so unpredictable?”
“There are lots of people making a living doing what I do. All it takes is hard work and dedication. And I’m pretty good at it, too.”
Mom purses her lips. “I don’t know about this, Genny. It seems so…unrealistic.”
“I get that you’re worried,” I say. “But this is something I need to do.”
Mom and Dad exchange an uncertain glance.
“It’s something I love doing,” I tell them. “Why don’t you want this for me?”
“Wedowant you to be happy,” Dad says. “That’s all we want.”
Mom nods.
“Then please be supportive of my channel.”
They exchange another glance.
Mom nods again. “If this is so important to you, then we’ll try. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your schoolwork.”
“Or your chores,” Dad adds.
“Assuming she moves back home,” Mom says.
I bite my lip. “I don’t think I can move back home, sorry. It’s just that the house is crazy all the time. It’s hard to stream or make videos when the kids sound like they want to kill each other. But I want to come home as much as I can. Like a few times a week to eat dinner, spend time with you guys. The family will always come first. And um…I have a boyfriend.”
Dad stiffens. “Who is he?”
“Ethan Palmer. From the band and he’s also the quarterback. You know, the one everyone’s crazy about.”
My parents exchange a glance. “We’d like to meet him.”
“I’ll tell you all about him after the concert. And I’m sure he’ll be happy to meet you.” I get to my feet. “I have to go now.”
***
So the concert is slamming.
Well, at least the place is. I don’t know about the Rock E’s yet, because they haven’t come on stage. Which is weird because they should have been on by now.
I gave Ethan a good luck kiss on the cheek before I picked my spot, but now I’m wondering if I should have given it to him on the lips.
I take out my phone and send him a text.You guys okay back there?
I’m surprised when his reply arrives immediately.
No. Amber’s not ready at all.
Oh no. Ethan told me he was nervous she wouldn’t be ready in time, but Eric was so sure she would be. Ethan’s been a little on edge because of that and because his dad suddenly droppedin on them out of the blue. Yeah, I definitely should have given him a good luck kiss on the lips. Maybe two.
Me: I’m sure everything will be okay. Just take a deep breath and relax.
I hate myself for sending that text, because how is that supposed to help? But I don’t know what to say, how to be supportive. I’ve never had a serious boyfriend before. I don’t want to mess this up.
He doesn’t respond, which either means he’s too busy or I said the wrong thing. Ugh, I don’t want to be the type of person who freaks out over every little thing in her relationship. Ethan will be okay. The band will be okay. They’ll give us a knockout performance.
