One More Night

I was finishing up my makeup, looking over myself, making sure nothing was missing. Nervousness made my stomach churn, and my palms were sweaty. I was never this nervous to see a guy, but wasn’t just anything we were going to.

He was taking me to dinner with his freaking parents. Sure, we had agreed that it meant nothing, but that didn’t deter me. I had an idea of what he was up to, and I was suspicious. But then, it really could mean nothing. With him, it was hard to tell. He wasn’t stupid, despite how much I loved to tease him that he was. But dinner with parents, even if we’d be faking it, was a pretty damn big thing.

Precisely at six, the doorbell rang, and I hurried to the door, grabbing my purse and opening the door, seeing him there. My lady parts just about screamed with joy at the sight of him in a suit, and he took my hand, smiling.

“You ready to go?” he murmured.

I nodded, stepping out, turning and locking the door behind me, spinning around and just about colliding with his firm chest. His torso vibrated with a soft chuckle, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me flush against him.

“You look absolutely ravishing,” he breathed into my ear with that deep gravelly voice of his, and I swore my legs forgot how to work. “I can’t wait to see that dress on my floor.” He pulled away from me, holding an arm out for me to take, and I took it, being led to his car. The door was opened for me as usual, and I half wanted to reprimand him for being a gentleman, but I really was enjoying it too much at that time to stop him. Maybe I could indulge for one night, see what it was like to have a boyfriend. I didn’t want to be too vulnerable, but I was curious enough that I would dip my toes in the water.

“So my mom and dad are going to be there, they’re honestly great and they’ll love you. My mom’s a sweetheart, and as long as you don’t swear in front of her, or deny food, you’ll be fine. My dad’s awesome, you’ll be cool with him as long as you don’t insult any of the teams he likes. Basically any of the jerseys he’s got framed on his wall, but you know nothing about sports, so you should be fine,” he teased, and I couldn’t help but giggle. It was true, anything that had to do with balls, apart from the male ones, I was horrible at.

“My sis Amy and her fiancée, Trent, are gunna be there. Amy’s a sweetheart, and I think she’s just gunna gush over you. She’s done that over every single girl I’ve been with. Trent’s a really chill dude, so he’s cool. I think you’re gunna have a good time.” He smiled at me, making my heart flutter at that beautiful smile.

What the hell was I doing? I was practically jumping into the pool headfirst, let alone dipping my toes in the water. I took a deep breath. I could do this, I just needed to act without letting my feelings get involved. “Hey, as long as I get laid tonight, I’ll be good.”

Matt raised an eyebrow, and I almost saw a look of disappointment flash across his face. I didn’t know what he had to be disappointed about, unless he really hadn’t dropped it. After all, what more did a guy really want apart from sex?

Matt turned on the radio, some punk rock playing softly. The ride essentially silent until we reached the house, which was a cozy little two story cottage. It was brick, and it looked homey and comfortable. Matt parked the car in the driveway, getting out and going around, opening the door for me. I got out, taking his arm, but he pulled it away and replaced it securely around my waist. I couldn’t help but smile at how he held me.

He kissed right behind my ear, smiling at me, making me blush. “C’mon,” he murmured, locking the car and heading to the door, knocking.

A girl maybe an inch or two taller than I opened the door and grinned. I figured she was Amy, seeing as she and Matt had matching dimples. He go of me for a moment to embrace his sister in a tight hug, chuckling. “Long time no see, little sis.”

Amy chuckled, letting us in. “And who’s this lucky girl?”

I blushed slightly, and Matt said, “Oh, this is my girlfriend, Lyn.”

Him calling me his girlfriend sent an odd combination of feelings through me, fear and the feeling of wanting to run. Girlfriend was scary, even if we were faking it. At the same time, it sent a strange enjoyable chill down my spine.

I took a deep breath, surveying the inside of the house, and I instantly found a longing to have grown up in a place like this. It wasn’t like, a show house where there was nothing out of place and everything was pristinely polished, but it wasn’t a shithole like I grew up in. It was inviting and almost, motherly, if a house could be motherly. There were decorations, something I’d mostly grown up without. A big dining table. There was a decorative mirror at the end of the landing, and I caught a glance of myself beside Matt. There’s something about looking at yourself in a different mirror, one that you’re not used to. Perhaps it’s the unfamiliar background, but it somehow it’s like looking at a different person.

I was snapped out of my wonderings when a short woman with Matt’s nose scurried out and rushed over. “Oh, Matty! It’s so good to see you, my little boy.” She hugged him tightly, and Matt glanced at me, smirking. “Love you too, mom.”

His mom, of course, gushed over me. His dad, who had pretty much all of Matt’s features but his nose, shook my hand, and seemed overall very nice. Trent came over and essentially said hi.
It wasn’t long before we were all seated, Matt beside me of course. He kept a hand on my upper thigh, which although he barely moved it, I felt was very teasing. Grace was said, and we dug into a roast, mashed potatoes, and various other dishes that I had to admit were excellent. Was this what family felt like?

“So Lyn, it is so nice to finally meet you. When Matt calls he won’t shut up about you, I feel like I already know you,” Kim told me happily.

I shot Matt a “how fucking dare you” look, but he didn’t meet my eyes, much more interested in his mashed potatoes, but rubbed my thigh a little bit. I did notice, however, his ears were quite a few shades redder than they’d been before.

“So how did you two meet, Matt’s never told me?” Kim murmured.

Oh lord. Lies under pressure were never a strength of mine. “Bachelorette…” I heard myself begin to say slowly, but Matt cut me off quickly.

“We met at one of Jimmy’s parties. He’s always got amazing girls at his parties, but I had no idea I’d find this gem.” Matt said smoothly.

I felt my cheeks heat up at his compliment. I gave him a subtle nod, approving of the quick save. Greg, however, didn’t seem to buy it as the girls and Trent seemed to. He had an eyebrow raised, and by the identical expression I sometimes saw on Matt’s face, I could tell he thought something was up. We weren’t being completely honest. I felt my stomach lurch. What if he didn’t approve?

What did I just think? Who cared if he approved or not? We weren’t even together. I was keeping my side of the bargain, keeping my emotions out of it, not that Matt was making it easy.

Various small talk ensured, Greg, Matt and Trent all discussing sports, which was honestly pretty adorable to watch Matt, while Amy and Kim essentially grilled me on the status of Matt and me. If we were actually together, I don’t think I would have minded so much, but I was getting into character pretty fast, somehow not having to make up very much. Matt was a sweetheart almost all the time, and I hadn’t realized he’d done so many romantic gestures to me. Only now as I was recounting him was I starting to realize how amazing he was. I really hoped I would snap out of this afterwards, this was ridiculous. I wasn’t going to let my heart get broken.

“Matt really is wonderful, I can see how happy he is with you. He’ll take good care of you.” Amy said encouragingly.

That was what I was scared of. It seemed such a foreign concept, it was frightening. It was the unknown.

Soon dessert was on, and Kim had really outdone herself. French silk pie, cookies, a whip cream fruit salad, and I somehow decided to forget keeping a good figure for a day, and got some of everything. I got some whip cream on the side of my mouth, and Matt leaned over and kissed it away quickly. I blushed, giggling slightly. That I had liked.

I swear, Matt was a male siren. Everything in me told me the risk was too great, I would only get hurt. But he was drawing me in. I took a deep breath. After some time alone, I’d be back to normal. I'd talk myself out of this silliness.

After we ate, we migrated to the living room, everyone sipping either wine or a beer, and apparently it’d had been Amy’s birthday recently, so everyone threw a gift at her (literally threw) and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Soon it was over, and I really had to admit, I had enjoyed it. More than I wanted to. Matt led me out, chuckling and waving at the others.

“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”