Perfect for You(43)

After practice, which is short since we only have States left and it’s a week away, Noah drives me around for a while. It’s getting cooler, but I love the crispness in the air. We keep the windows down and laugh when our cheeks turn bright red. Noah is a great distraction. I’ll never tell him that, but it’s true. We stop at my house so I can get changed before we head to Nathan’s. Mom’s car is already in the driveway. She’s home early.

“I guess you get to meet my mom,” I say as we get out of the car. Noah’s only been coming around when I’m home alone. He’s not big on meeting parents.

“Oh, goodie.” He leans back on the car. “Maybe I should wait here or come back later when you’re ready to go.”

“Don’t worry.” I take his hands in mine. “It’s not like my mom is going to make tea and grill you with questions while I get ready.”

“You sure about that?”

I tug him toward the house. “Yes. Be a big boy,” I tease. He tickles me and I laugh, a high-pitched laugh that brings Mom to the door. She stares at us, not sure what she’s seeing. I may have forgotten to mention that I’m dating Noah. I knew she wouldn’t understand me dating someone new so soon after Ash and I broke up, and by the look on her face, I was right to assume that.

“Hey, Mom,” I say, pushing Noah’s hands away from my waist—more specifically out from under the bottom of my shirt.

“Hi.” Her face couldn’t be more scrunched up in confusion.

“This is Noah.” Noah and Mom both look at me, waiting for me to say more. What the hell? “My boyfriend.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Flannigan.” Noah shoves his hands in his pockets. I’ve never seen him look this rattled. His usual confidence is gone.

“You too…Noah, is it?” Oh, Mom. Don’t be like that. “Please, come inside.” She steps aside and motions Noah into the house. He gives me a worried look, and I smile encouragingly. “Boyfriend?” Mom whispers as I walk by her. She’s so not going to be on her best behavior.

Noah stands in the living room, not sure what to do. I squeeze his elbow. “We’re going upstairs for a minute before we head out.”

“Upstairs?” Mom asks, giving me the evil eye.

Seriously? She’s in the house. What does she think we’re going to do? “Yes,” I say, dragging out the word and hoping she gets the point.

“Maybe Noah would like a drink.” Mom heads to the kitchen.

“No, I’m fine. Thanks.” Noah stays close to me, not wanting to get cornered into a conversation with Mom.

I take his hand and lead him upstairs before Mom tries to offer him anything else. “Sorry, sorry, sorry,” I say as we walk in my room and close the door.

He spins around. “How sorry?” His devilish smile is completely sexy. He pulls me to him and kisses me hard. “Your mom has no idea this is where we had our first kiss, does she?”

“Lucky for you, no.” I smile to show I’m kidding. He kisses me again, but I pull away after a minute. “I should get ready.”

He sits on my bed. “Go right ahead.”

“Oh, yeah. Like I’m going to change in front of you with my mom downstairs.”

He shrugs. “It was worth a shot.”

“You’re like two different people, you know that?”

“What do you mean?” He leans forward on the bed, not looking as comfortable anymore.

“You seemed really…I don’t know, shy around my mom, and now that she’s out of sight you’re back to—”

He’s on his feet with his arms around my waist. “Being totally irresistible?”

“That too.” I laugh and kiss him once more before grabbing my clothes and heading to the bathroom to change.

I can’t deny I have feelings for Noah. I definitely do. And he’s hot as hell. I love being with him. But…I can’t make that “but” go away.

Once I’m dressed we say a quick goodbye to Mom with a promise that I’ll be home by midnight. I can tell she has a million questions for me, but she’s not going to embarrass me any more tonight. Thank God for that.

“You’ll have fun tonight,” Noah says. “I promise.”

Noah and I always have fun together. That’s not the problem. He’s great to be around, and I really do like his friends. They sort of took me in, no questions asked. Noah was right. Having a group of friends, even if they’re his, is definitely nice.

Nathan and Tyler are wrestling in the living room when we arrive. These two really should join the football team. They’re always shoving each other and thinking it’s fun. Still, they’re nice guys. Tyler drapes his arm over my shoulders. “So, Meg, what do you say you leave this loser and hang out with me tonight?”

“Tempting,” I say, tapping my finger on my chin in mock thought. “But Noah does have the new Camaro and I like to travel in style, so I’m going to have to turn you down.”

Lindsey laughs. “Leave the poor girl alone, Tyler.”

Tyler shrugs but doesn’t let go of me. “What? She deserves to know she has options.”

“Okay, take your hands off my girlfriend.” Noah removes Tyler’s arm and pulls me to him. I smile. Maybe this will work out. All I need is time to get over Ash. Then I can totally focus on Noah. He’s definitely worth it.