Page 64 of The Nicest Thing
And was he staring at my lips?
In an effort to save myself from myself, I blurted the first thought that came into my head.
"My family wants to meet you," I rushed out.
Finn's smile shot across his face like a star, fast, bright, and blinding.
"Finally," he said."Just tell me when and where.I'm dying to meet them."
CHAPTER 10: Finn
"You're dead."
I scoffed, but Parker Graves gave a somber nod.We were in one of Southern U's many exercise rooms.The baseball team used this space often for weight training because it was closest to the field.Graves, Reyes, and Wasserman were all giving me concerned looks.
"I mean it, O'Brien.You go meet her family now, and they'll eat you alive."
"Why?" I asked.
He counted off on his fingers."Because you've been her 'friend' for years, and you never came around before."
My lips curved down."First off, we are friends.I don’t know why you said it like that."The guys exchanged looks like I was missing something, but I ignored it."And I told you already.Rose kept me away, thinking they'd scare me off."
"Well, that right there should tell you something."
It did.
It told me Rose underestimated my resolve to be in her orbit. To stick, to stay by her side no matter what.But I was determined to prove her wrong.
Hence why I'd called the guys here to get their opinions on family dinner.A decision I was currently regretting.Still, I gestured for Graves to continue.
"Come on, man," he said."How can you not see it?In their eyes, you're trying to corrupt their precious little girl—"
I rolled my eyes."Rose is older than me."
"—Like that matters.She’s innocent, and you're the big bad wolf coming in there to take her away."
"But—"
Reyes jumped in and said, "He's right.You said she has cousins?"
I jerked a nod."Yeah, so what?"
"Male?"
Another more hesitant nod.
"Are they close?"
"From what Rose told me, they're tight.More like siblings."
He whistled then placed a hand on my shoulder."Graves is right.They hate you already.Don't do it."
"But I have to," I said, feeling my shoulders go tight."I already agreed to dinner."
"Call in sick."
"It's not work, Reyes. I can't do that—and you know what? I don't want to."
