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Samantha
Bradley’s question catches me off guard, but it’s a question that I’ve been asked before. So, I don’t have a problem answering it. That doesn’t make it any easier. It doesn’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. It doesn’t stop the well from spilling over onto my cheeks.
I don’t even know why I’m crying or what made me reveal so much at this moment. Maybe it’s because I can feel that Brad truly cares about what I have to say, and he’s not asking out of malice. Whatever the reason, I trust him with my story.
The look in his eyes is pure and genuine.
“Sam, I didn’t mean to make you cry. Should I pull over?”
“No. Don’t. I’m okay. It’s not your fault. I get emotional sometimes when I think about her.”
I wipe my tears away and take a deep breath.
“Sometimes, I wish...” My words catch in my throat before I can finish. What would he think of me for saying such things?
“You wish what?” He inquires when I don’t finish.
I remember telling him that we shouldn’t have secrets if we are going to work, but what will he think of my private thoughts? Will this be the thing that causes him to turn away from me?
“You can tell me anything, baby. I’m here to listen.” His eyes soften and seem to see right through me.
“Sometimes, I wish it was me instead of her that died. I wonder what God was thinking when I was chosen over her. I wish that she was still here, even if that means that I am not.”
More tears begin to fall, and I quickly wipe them away.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be telling you this. You probably think I’m a nut case.”
“You are not a nut case. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably wonder the same thing. You’re entitled to your feelings, Sam. No one can fault you for that.” He pauses and takes my hand in his. “I wish I could have met her too, but you know what?”
“What?”
“I’m glad that you’re here, Sam. I’m glad that you’re alive and here with me, and I’m sure your family feels the same way.”
“I know they do, but sometimes I still wonder.”
“Will you do me a favor, Sam?”
“I can try. What’s the favor?”
“Whenever you start to wonder and wish, will you come to me? Tell me what’s on your mind so that I can remind you of why you’re still here.”
Oh, Brad...
I smile at him and give his hand a gentle squeeze. “I think I can do that,” I say hesitantly. I would try just about anything for him. “Can you do me a favor?” I need to change the subject. Our conversation is getting darker the longer we talk. I don’t want to show up at dads’ with red puffy eyes. That might not go over too well.
“What’s that?” He returns my smile.
“Will you step on the gas? You’re slowing down, and a line is forming behind us.”
“I think I can do that,” he says, chuckling under his breath.
***
A SPELL OF NERVOUSNESS overtakes me as we walk up to my father’s house. I wasn’t expecting Grams to be here. I’m glad she could make the trip, but I felt enough pressure already thinking about introducing Brad to dad and Lacy. Now I have to think about Grams too. I tried to play it cool. I tried to show bravery for Brad’s sake, and it worked until we pulled into my dad’s driveway.
I really hope they like him.
It would be a shame if they didn’t.
“Sam?” Brad’s deep baritone filters through my mind.
“Huh?”
“Your hands are sweating. Are you okay?”
“I’m great.” My voice squeaks between the lie.”
Brad stops walking and turns me to face him. “You’re not great. What is it?”
I brush my hands down the front of my coat, pause and allow the air to ooze from my lungs. “I wasn’t expecting my grandma to be here.”
Brad stiffens in front of me and then visibly relaxes. “Your grandmother is here?”
“Yes, but it’s nothing to worry about. She’s harmless. Though, she’s never been around me with a guy before. I’m not sure how she’ll react.”
Brad rubs his hands up and down my arms in a soothing motion. “It will be fine. I can handle the pressure. They’re going to love me.”
My brows quirk at his statement. “So sure of yourself.”
“I’ll admit I was kind of on edge about today, but I gave it some thought and came to a conclusion.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. You didn’t make it easy for me, but if I could coerce you into loving me, then your family shouldn’t be a problem.”
“You didn’t give me much choice in the matter.”
“Exactly. I never back down from a challenge, remember?” Brad kisses my forehead, winks, and begins to drag me towards the front door.
Seeing him so confident and taking charge of the situation turns me on completely. His aura relaxes me a little more than I should be right now. I breathe deeply to calm myself. Now is not the time to think such thoughts.
I give a warning knock and use my key to enter. I relax when the smell of home hits me for the first time in weeks. A comfort takes over me, and having Brad here next to me is a feeling I can’t describe. He’s actually meeting my family. It’s a huge step, now that I think about it.
“Sammy, is that you?” My dad’s voice filters through the hallway and over to me.
I smile at the old line I used to speak to him when he’d arrive home after a long day at work. He appears in front of us within seconds with Lacy not far behind him.
“How’s my dad doing today?” I answer with the same greeting he’s given me so many times before.
“Dad’s having a great day Sammy, especially now that you’re here.”
He embraces me in one of his signature bear hugs. I close my eyes and soak in the feeling. When we pull apart, dad looks over at Brad and studies him for a moment.
Please don’t make this a big deal! I silently plead.
Dad reaches out his hand to Brad and smiles. “Bradley, it’s good to finally meet you, son. I haven’t heard much about you, but I’m sure we’ll have that straightened out before you leave.”
Brad reaches out and gives my dad a firm handshake. He acts as if he’s not thrown off by my dad at all.
Oh, my heart.
Oh, my love.
“Nice to meet you, sir. I guess Sam wanted us to gather the pieces on our own. I look forward to getting to know the family.”
Dad cocks an eyebrow. Brad doesn’t break eye contact as he speaks. This is such a swoon-worthy moment. The only man that’s ever truly loved me meets the man that’s stolen my heart forever.
This brings back memories of the last time I brought a guy home to meet my family. I was so young and naive. I thought I was in love. I thought he was the one. I thought we would last forever. That kind of thinking nearly ruined me. I still think about the warnings and all of the signs that I foolishly ignored.
I used to imagine a world where Garrett and I met again. In that world, he would know just how bad he hurt me. He would fall in love with someone else, and just when he’d given his whole heart, she would crush it. I hated him for what he did to me, but I can’t live that way anymore. In order for me to fully give my all to Brad, I had to let go of the hate. I had to forgive Garrett and finally let go. I still don’t like him, but I forgive him.
Things are different with Brad. I came into this relationship with both eyes wide open. I’m not that same teenage girl with her head in the clouds. Brad has changed my whole perspective on love and what it’s supposed to be.
“Grace.”
Brad’s eyes look around dad toward Lacy coming our way. His forehead wrinkled in confusion, and I giggle. I’d forgotten to warn him about my alter ego.
“You’re home. I’ve missed you,” Lacy says, throwing her arms around my neck.
“It feels good to be home. Brad, this is my big sister Lacy. Lacy, this is Brad, my... my...”
I didn’t think about how I would introduce him once we got here. It feels awkward saying, my boyfriend, when he is so much of a man. I can feel myself blushing, and it’s totally embarrassing.
“Hi Lacy, I’m her forever,” Brad announces to all who are listening.
I blush even harder. I can see he doesn’t have a problem telling my family what I mean to him.
“Ooh Grace, I like him already. A guy who knows exactly what he wants,” Lacy says.
Brad chuckles beside me.
I was expecting Lacy to be more... more cautious and maybe a bit more inquisitive. She’s acting out of character. I’ll have to ask her what that’s about later.
“Where is Grams? I’m surprised she wasn’t the first to greet us at the door.”
“Mom and dad are taking a nap. They didn’t arrive until the wee hours of the morning,” dad chimes in.
“They drove overnight, alone? Wait, Grandpa is here too? I didn’t know they were coming until we drove up.”
Dad holds his hand up in defeat. “They’re my parents, but I can’t tell them what to do. You know dad. He insisted on driving, saying he doesn’t trust airplanes.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I would think all of this is a conspiracy,” I say.
Lacy covers her mouth in a grin. “No conspiracy here. They wanted to surprise you, at least that’s what Gram said. If you ask me, I think she really wanted to meet your friend here.”
“That sounds more like her than the latter,” I say. “Do you mind if we freshen up, dad? The drive seemed much longer than it actually was.”
“Sure, Sammy. Mom and dad are in the spare room.” Dad looks between Brad and me as if he’s frightened to say the next words.
I jump in quickly. I don’t want to spend my nights here away from Brad. I hope dad understands. “If you don’t mind, dad, Brad can share my room.”
Lacy looks on without saying one word. Dad nods once. “That’s fine. Just try not to wake your grandparents during the night.”
This is so embarrassing.
I know exactly what he means by that statement. My cheeks feel like fire is coursing through them. I chance a glimpse at Brad. He’s probably having a field day over this entire conversation.
“We wouldn’t think of it, sir.” Brad doesn’t skip a beat. He’s enjoying every minute of this.
I don’t know what to make of my family’s behavior.
