Page 77 of It's Just You

“I will so regret this.” Sam dropped his head into his hands, but I pulled him into another hug.

“I’m so glad we’re good again. Thank you for stepping up, and I’m sorry again for hurting you.”

“I know.” He hugged me back, then looked up. “One rule though: no jokes about what you’re doing with Finn, okay? I really, really don’t need those images.”

I laughed, glad Sam was back to being normal again. I’d missed him — not only since the fight, but since he’d gone off to college and I’d gone home. I’d never seen it that way, since I always figured it was the way it was, but it had caused a rift between us. Now we were back to mending it, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Finn wasover at my place, eating dinner with us before we went upstairs to watch a movie. At least, that was our alibi — and to drown out any other noises that might come from my room, considering I had no fucking intention of watching even one minute of a movie. Well, okay, I’d watch long enough to make sure the explosions were loud enough…

It had been a fun evening so far, especially since Sam and I had evaded the issue of telling Mom and Dad about our worked out schedule. No need to upset them just yet. Though Sam would probably tell them when he thought the time was right, since they were very much quiet around him in anything related to his education. I would stand with him and back him whenever he talked to them, but I wasn’t going to put myself out there.

Sam cooked, which meant the food was especially tasty, and since my parents didn’t even bat an eye about me kissing Finn hello, it was relaxing as well. It was like it was supposed to be this way.

Finn cast me glances all the time, subtly — and not so subtly — showing me exactly what we’d do once we vanished to my room. I couldn’t wait. We had to make it through dinner first, but once that would be over, he’d be only mine. He was breathtaking as per usual, his makeup sparkling and glittering and making him so fucking beautiful that I couldn’t take my eyes away from him for longer than a few moments.

“It’s really okay for me to stay the night? I mean, I know it’s kinda weird, but—”

“Let’s just pretend the two of you are going to watch TV and sleep in the same room, okay? Then yes, that’s fine with us,” Mom said dryly.

I tuned back into the conversation, blushing.

“Thanks, Mrs. Stiles. I appreciate it. And of course we’ll only watch TV.” He grinned at her.

Fuck. He hadn’t… I buried my face in my hands. My boyfriend had actually asked my mom for permission to stay overnight. I wanted to die of embarrassment.

It was pretty obvious we weren’t just going to hold hands when we went to my room, but did he have to make it that obvious?

“Can we please, please change the subject?” I interrupted when I saw Sam opening his mouth. And while I could deal with my parents kind of knowing but ignoring it, Sam’s commentary might be too much.

Sam snorted, but he was silent.

“Thanks, Mom. We’d have stayed at Finn’s, but…”

They wouldn’t be so understanding once they knew about us.

“You’re welcome to stay here whenever you want, Finn. There’s no need to stay at your parents’ place if there are any issues. You’re part of the family now, so feel free to be here as much as you want.”

Finn’s face grew tight a moment, but he got himself under control again. His smile was back, aimed at my mom. “Thank you so much. I appreciate it. My parents are great, but they’re not as accepting. You may regret making that offer one day, though.”

“As long as you keep being you, I won’t,” she said, smiling. “Definitely not. You bring my boy so much joy, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Now Finn averted his gaze, blinking a few times. He didn’t say anything, so I threw in another thank you, then pulled his head to my shoulder to give him a minute to get himself under control again.

Thankfully, Dad decided to participate, asking for more mashed potatoes. That broke the moment, giving Finn a chance to collect himself, then we went on like nothing had happened at all.

This was huge, though. They were, with all their faults and flaws and wrong decisions, the best parents ever. I couldn’t love them more if I tried.

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