Page 265 of Out of Left Field

“Nothing’s wrong.” I grinned as Everett emerged from his room, shirtless and yawning.

He placed a kiss on my cheek. “Why is everyone yelling?”

“I’ve scandalized your brother by wearing your shirt. Oh, by the way my dad’s plane lands just after one. I’m meeting him at the condo to get him settled, then he’s coming with me to work. The girls and I are taking him to your game tonight.”

“Perfect. How’s the coffee?”

“Good.” It was too much fun watching Kate and Isaac’s brains explode while we had a perfectly normal conversation.

“What is happening?” Isaac asked, mouth hanging open, hope written on every inch of his face.

Which made me so happy I could float away. Especially when I saw the smile on my boyfriend’s face.

Everett wrapped his arm around my waist, tucking me into his side. “We finally took everyone’s advice.”

Kate started bouncing on her toes.

“You’re together? Like, together?” Isaac asked, his gaze pinging between us.

“We’ve been dating for a few weeks. We’re happy.” He shrugged. “So we’re ready to let you knuckleheads annoy us now.”

Isaac crossed the room in a flash and pulled Everett in for a hug. “I’m so happy for you. So fucking happy.” He held Everett by the shoulders. “Don’t fuck this up.” Then he hugged me. “Welcome to the family, not that you weren’t already part of it.”

My heart soared some more.

Kate hugged us next. “So we’ll be seeing you around the house more?”

I looked to Everett. He shrugged. “We haven’t exactly talked about sleeping arrangements, but yeah.”

With Dad in town it would be nice to stay at the condo to be close to him, but things were so new and exciting with Everett that I wanted to sleep here with him. Everett could sleep with me at the condo, but I’d never slept with a man while my dad was under the same roof.

Ev tucked his finger under my chin. “We’ll figure it out, Tink. Don’t overthink it.”

“I’m making celebratory pancakes!” Isaac announced.

And that’s how we had our first family breakfast.

“You’re sure you don’t mind?” Dad asked for the third time.

“Of course I don’t mind. What is a guest room for if it isn’t for guests?” I had all my cameras packed away, fresh sheets on the bed, and his favorite foods in the fridge.

“You seem happy, peanut.” His thumb brushed my cheek.

My dad was a good man. He tried to make sure I had everything I needed after my mother left. The older I got the more I felt the need to reciprocate. “I am. I like it here.”

“So you’re staying?”

“I think I am.” It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him about Everett, but I promised him I’d try and wait so we could do it together.

Try being the key word. The more questions Dad asked the harder it was to keep it from him.

“Should I start looking for places?”

“You can stay here as long as you like.”

He cocked his head to the side and gave me a once over. “A few days here and there is one thing. Living together again? I’m not sure either of us wants that.”

Except I won’t be here much… “Good point.”