Page 46 of This I Promise You
“Yep. Lucky me for being the middle child.”
“Are you close to any of them?”
I guess we’re just going in for the kill then. He asked, so I might as well be honest. “I used to be, yeah. Though the two younger ones are too far apart from me to really have any kind of relationship with them. Do you have any siblings?”
Easton smiles. It’s a good smile. He has a little powder on his nose and now I feel like I’m in a gayHallmarkrom-com. Do I tell him? Do I lick it off? I have no idea what the edict is in these situations and now all I can think about is licking his—
Easton pulls my mind out of the gutter. “I have an older sister, Samantha. Sam. We’re, like, four years apart, but we’re pretty close. Other than her it’s just Dad. Our mom, she…she left when I was fourteen.”
Shit. “Oh. I’m sorry, Easton.”
Silence follows, but now I’m curious. Since we’re on the topic, I might as well get it over now so I don't have to awkwardly bring it up again. “Mind if I ask why?”
“She, um. She— Well, my dad gave her an ultimatum after I came out.”
And holy hell the look on his face makes me want to dig myself a hole and bury myself alive. “Shit. Now I’m doubly sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“It’s okay.” He waves it off and wipes the end of his nose. The powder is gone now and thank fuck because now I don’t have to embarrass him. “It was a long time ago. It’s funny that you bring her up though. I was thinking about her earlier.”
“Dude, seriously. I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about it.”
“What about you?” He unknowingly goes for my jugular. “Are you close with your parents?”
I really don’t want to talk about this right now. I should never have brought up my family. My heart starts beating quickly andfuck thisI’m not going to let my dickhead of a sperm donor ruin this date for me. No, nope, nada. No panic attacks today!
“Unfortunately, no,” I say quickly. “And if it’s all the same to you I’d rather not talk about it. It’s cool, it’s just not important. Don’t wanna ruin our date with my family drama.”
“Yeah, okay. Sorry.” Easton grins sheepishly.
“No need, it’s cool. You done with this?”
He nods and I get up to throw the remains of the funnel cake away. Then without another thought, Easton heads off toward a booth full of paintings that I assume are by a local artist. They’re pretty. They remind me of Jackson Pollack and Leonardo da Vinci, like, if they had a baby or something. I like it, but he doesn’t seem interested since he’s already on his way to the next booth.
I want to hold his hand and walk with him. I really want it, it’s just so awkward for me. So I stay behind and follow him around. Easton looks back at me and smiles kindly. He slows down, and as if he knows the very thoughts in my head, he offers his hand. I meet his smile and step into him as our fingers interlock. I stiffen a little because PDA, but I’m out here trying to do better. I have to relax, so I kiss his temple. He leans into my shoulder and hums.
“So then…why did you move to NC?” he asks. “Huxley mentioned something about you not being from here.”
“Of course she did.” I chuckle. “Guess I just needed a change of scenery. Kansas City is alright, but I was over it a long time ago. UNCC seemed like a good school, so I transferred.”
“One of the best in the state.” Easton’s cheesy grin switches to an amused smile. “Or at least one of the biggest. One of those.”
“I made the right choice then.” I unlock our hands and throw my arm around his neck.
“I think so.” He grins, diverting his eyes and sucking his lips in nervously.
We keep walking, though neither of us are interested in the booths anymore.
“And you’re from North Carolina, right?” I ask.
“Yeah. Ahoskie. It’s a small town near the coast. Nothing special.” He shrugs under my arm.
“You were born there?” I stop walking and turn into him.
“Yeah,” he nearly whispers.
“Then it’s special.” I smile and wiggle my eyebrows at him.
His eyes narrow. “Is this you flirting with me?”
