Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(53)
“Garrett?” I question, confusion and shock clear in my voice. “What? What are you doing here?” I stutter over my words.
He gives me a hesitant smile and takes a step towards me.
“I’m sorry, Kim. When they said they were coming, I knew I had to come, too. I had to see you.”
“They?” I question, my mind swirling. “My parents’? They’re here? In Oregon?” Even as I ask the question, I already know the answer. I can tell by the look on his face that I am spot on.
“They want to see you.” He takes another step towards me, his hand coming to a rest on my forearm.
“And what, you’re their little messenger boy?” I jerk away from his touch, anger boiling in my throat.
“I’m here to help you, Kim.”
“It’s Kimber!” I grind out. “Shit.” I step back, panic starting to set in.
“Shit. Shit. Shit.” I run my hands through my hair, the thought of facing my parents’ in person the last thing I want to deal with right now.
“Is that really necessary? People can hear you.” Garrett looks around before meeting my gaze again.
“Do you think I care?” I snip.
“You should.” His tone remains soft though I can tell by how tight his features are that it’s forced.
“Well, I don’t.”
“Who are you?” He stares back at me like he’s looking at a complete stranger.
I guess to him I kind of am. He’s not used to this Kimber, the real Kimber.
“Where are they?” I ignore his comment, pinning my eyes directly on him.
“They’re staying at the Smithson Resort. They were hoping you would agree to have dinner with them tonight.”
“So you really are the messenger then?” I’m surprised that I’m shocked but in a small way, I kind of am. “What’s in this for you?” I cock my head to the side.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” His voice goes up a notch. “I’m here because I care about you.”
“Bullshit.” I ignore the way his eyes narrow with disapproval at my language.
“Kimber, be reasonable. I care about you, your parents’ care about you. It’s just dinner. It’s the least you can do after they’ve come all this way.”
“After they’ve come all this way without telling me you mean?”
“Please.” His tone softens. “One dinner.”
“Fine,” I groan out, knowing there is no way I’m going to get out of this. If I refuse it’s likely my father will be the next to show up, and that’s the last thing I want.
“Perfect.” He smiles. “We have reservations at Watsons. Your father will send a car for you. Seven o’clock sharp.”
“Seven,” I confirm, sighing loudly before spinning and walking away.
****
“I’m sorry I had to cancel our plans.” I sigh into the phone.
“It’s okay,” Decklan reassures me. “I think I can survive one more day.”
“You think?” I laugh, adjusting the hem of my dark gray sheath dress.
“It might be more than I can take.” His voice drops low. “I might just have to pay you a little unexpected visit. Seems to be the theme tonight.”
“Yeah but the difference is your visit would be welcome.”
“Would it now? Well in that case...” He laughs lightly.
“Don’t make it worse,” I whine. “It’s bad enough that I don’t get to see you, now I have to endure my parents’ for the next few hours.”
I purposely leave out the fact that Garrett is with them. I know it’s wrong of me to omit this information, but I just don’t have it in me to tell him that I will also be spending my evening with my ex-boyfriend who I dated for three years and is the only other man I’ve slept with. Besides, it’s not like I would ever go there again, even if Decklan wasn’t in the picture.
“Why go then?” he asks curiously, interrupting my inner battle.
“Because they’re my parents’.” I sigh. “I know things aren’t great between us, but a small part of me really wants to salvage what little of our relationship remains.”
“I get that. I’m sure everything will be fine,” he reassures me. “Call me after.”
“I will,” I say, clicking off the phone before dropping it into my lap.
Looking out of the backseat of the town car my father sent to pick me up, I can’t help but wonder how my parents’ would react to me dating Decklan. Would they see the incredible man that I see or would they see only what they want to see; a man who lives in a bar, dresses in ripped jeans and leather, and drives a motorcycle?
I can’t see them being very receptive to the idea, even if our relationship isn’t as damaged as it currently is. The thought makes me sad. They would be so quick to judge him for being different than them, and he would never have a chance to show them who he really is.
“Ma’am.” The driver pulls me from my fog and I look up to see we have arrived at the restaurant.
It’s only seconds before Garrett is pulling open the door and helping me out of the car, sure to kiss my cheek the moment I step up next to him. I do my best not to cringe under his touch as I take the arm he offers and allow him to lead me inside.