Playing Hard to Get(94)

“It’s going to work for Jo Jo and me, no matter what changes.” The words fall from my lips as if I have no control over myself.

“It’s the real deal, huh?”

“She is the real deal.” I remember what Cam said to me a while ago, when everything was first happening between us. He called her a good girl. The kind you marry.

That fucker was right. Joanna is a good girl.

She’s mine.

There’s no way in hell I’m going to let her go.

We arrive at the airport a little early and I park in the waiting lot, the car idling as both Blair and I get on our phones. I send Joanna a quick text because it’s like I can’t stop thinking about her.

Now it feels even more intense because I know I’m in love with her.

Me: You’re going to dinner with us tomorrow, right?

Joanna: Of course I am. I already said I would.

Joanna: Aren’t you with your parents? Why are you texting me?

Me: We’re at the airport. Their plane hasn’t landed yet.

Joanna: Oh. I didn’t want to take you away from your family.

Me: I wish you came with us.

Joanna: There would’ve been no room for me in your car.

Me: I would’ve shoved Blair in the back seat with Mom and Dad.

Joanna: It’s better that you’re just with your family tonight so you can all catch up.

Doesn’t she get that she’s become a part of my family too? I can’t wait for my parents to meet her. They’re going to love her, especially my mom.

They’ve come for a few games but it’s always a quick trip, with them flying in and out very quickly. They could drive but they claim they don’t have the time.

This is the first trip they’re making here where they’re actually hanging around and spending time with us beyond just going to the game. And while they’re here, I’m going to question them.

What have they been up to that they can’t tell us about? I don’t get it.

I need answers.

My phone and Blair’s ding at the same time, Dad having texted the family group chat that the plane just touched down and they should be in the terminal soon.

I send them a quick text that we’re already there waiting for them and resume texting with Joanna, deciding to be truthful.

Me: You’re like family to me. I miss you.

Joanna: Aww.

She sends me a couple of heart emojis.

Me: Maybe we could go have breakfast with my parents tomorrow.

Joanna: I don’t have to be at work until eleven.

Me: We should go then. What do you think?

Joanna: You’re sure I’m not intruding?

I scoff out loud. Please.

Me: No. I want you there.

Joanna: I’d love to go.

Me: It’s a date.

Blair’s phone rings and I can hear our mother’s voice, telling her they’re waiting for their luggage to show up.

“Have her text us when they’ve got their luggage and we’ll come get them,” I say to Blair, who repeats that back to Mom.

Minutes later, we’re pulling out of the airport, Mom and Blair talking a mile a minute in the back seat while Dad sits next to me. He may be an old man in his forties, but he could probably still take me out on the football field. He’s fit as hell and still has a full head of hair.

Aspirations I have for my forties, that’s for damn sure. I can’t even imagine being that old, all the kids out of the house. What the hell are they doing with all that free time on their hands?

“We have an announcement,” Dad says when we’re almost to their hotel, which is close to campus.

Mom and Blair immediately stop talking. This could be the answer to my questions.

“We wanted to tell you both in person. We’ve already let Ruby know when we visited her on campus last weekend,” Dad continues, his gaze going to Mom’s in the back seat. “We put the house up for sale. We’re moving.”

“Seriously?” Blair squeaks.

“Really?” I’m shocked. We grew up in that house. My room is exactly as I left it and everything there is a comfort. It feels like a home base. And now they’re selling it? “Where are you guys going?”

“And why are you selling the house?” Blair asks, sounding as distressed as I feel.

“We want a change,” Mom says. “We love that house, there are so many memories there, but now that it’s just the two of us, it feels so big. I swear I lose your father in there sometimes.”

Dad chuckles. “It’s true. I’ll hear her calling me, ‘Owen, where are you?’”

“We know it’s your home and we figured you two might be upset, but please understand we didn’t make this decision lightly,” Mom says.

Blair is sniffing like she might be crying.

“Are you buying something smaller then?” I ask.

“Definitely,” Dad says with a firm nod. “But here’s the exciting part—we’re moving to California.”

“What? Why would you do that?” Blair practically screams.

“To live by Drew and Fable. Now that all the kids have gone to college, we just want to be closer to them.”

My aunt and uncle do live in a nice area. A small town up in the mountains, right by a lake. Not too far from Yosemite. We would visit them a couple of times a year growing up, and always at Thanksgiving. I have a lot of great memories there.