Unexpected | ??

18- The One Where It All Goes Down

Her jaw dropped open and she playfully swatted my arm. "That's my son you're talking about! I think he'll do great."

"Fine, I'll give you five bucks if he even touches the ball." I held out my hand.

She took it and gave me a firm handshake. "Deal. Now, get ready. We're leaving soon. Justin's already back at school."

"Already? I swear it feels like I just went to sleep."

She shook her head. "Honey, it's been nearly three hours. Now go," she lightly nudged me before standing up. "I love you."

"Love you too, Mom," I called out after her retreating figure. She gently closed the door shut and I hopped out of bed. I didn't have a lot of time to get ready, thanks to my horridly long nap. 

I rushed to get ready. I took the shortest shower ever, then hurried to do my makeup. I didn't go too crazy, just how much I usually wore. Then, I tried to tame my hair. I left it down, hoping it would protect my ears from the cold.

I slipped into sneakers as my dad yelled for me downstairs. He was impatiently waiting at the bottom of the steps. My mom and him both wore matching school shirts I had no idea they owned. 

"Ready! Let's go!" I yelled, taking two steps at a time. He basically pushed me out of the door and into his car. 

I groaned as his engine roared to life. My dad had such a douchey car, and every time it turned on, the noise would bother the shit out of me. Since he worked from home, he rarely used it. I secretly think he doesn't like it either.

"I'm so proud of J," my dad grinned as he reversed.

"We know," my mom and I echoed.

"You should tell that to your son," my mom said slowly, in her motherly tone. He rarely told Justin he was proud of him, which kinda drove him to play football. He needed that parental validation in his life, even though my mom gave him plenty. 

My dad's gaze flickered to mine through the review mirror. "So, I heard the neighbor's son asked you to homecoming."

Justin and his big mouth.

"Haha, yeah," I said awkwardly. My dad did not do well with boys.

Then, he surprised me. "He's a good kid."

My mom glanced at me through the passenger seat and I knew we were having the same thoughts. Why did my dad like him so much?

To be honest, my dad really wanted Dylan and I to get together. As weird as it was, he loved him like a son, and I think he wanted him to become a son-in-law. I countlessly explained that he was like a brother to me and it would never happen. But he was a dreamer.

I knew Andrew would have my dad's seal of approval. He was the perfect boy. He'd always help out his parents, and he helped Justin a lot too. He got good grades, became the captain of the football team in junior year, and was never rude. Best of all, he didn't have a criminal record.

Sure, my dad didn't know about his sexual patterns, but I wasn't about to tell him that. 

"Have you decided who you're going to give your victory hug to?" My mom asked, a small smile playing on her lips. My dad glanced at me before refocusing on the road. They were all in on this small argument.

I cleared my throat, ready to discuss my logic. "Okay, look. When we win the game, I figured that Justin has the two of you to hug, while Dylan only has me. So, while Justin's running to you, Dylan and I will have a quick hug and then I'll hug the stinker after." 

"And you're telling me they aren't in love," my dad said under his breath. My mom laughed and looked back at me before whispering something back. I couldn't hear what she said, but they both chuckled after, intriguing me.