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I move to look out the front kitchen window, spotting Evan on the porch with two upper middle-aged people whom I barely recognize. My god, this is happening.
I turn to Jules, about to say I changed my mind and want to run away, but a sudden burst of courage grips me. I made it this far. I kept my job despite all the craziness. I survived a world-famous actress gunning for my man. I raised a hell of a seven-year-old ON MY OWN. If I can survive all that, I can survive two old people. So, instead, I say and nod, “Let’s do this.”
“There you go. I’m proud of you. You got this.”
I open the door, and realize that no amount of training could’ve prepared me for this moment. All of a sudden I’m seventeen all over again, afraid and unsure what to say. So much for courage.
Do I hug them? Shake their hands?
Neither? Both?
I stand there, looking like an animatronic in a theme park ride, while my parents do the same and Evan looks ready to pull the plug on the whole thing and hop back in his car.
“Come on in,” Jules says, rescuing me from myself. She gently moves me out of the doorway so Evan can lead my parents into the house. My father is carrying a wrapped gift that looks suspiciously like a child-sized bicycle.
My mom looks around the Spartan entryway with its cathedral ceilings and marble tile. “Well, Nathan has certainly done well for himself. We’re both so proud.”
Proud of him… but not me, of course. Why would I expect anything else? “He hasn’t had much time to decorate,” I say. “We’re getting around to it.”
“Let’s go fix you some plates,” says Evan. “I’m sure you’re starving.”
“Right,” I fix on a smile and nod. “Right this way.”
A pair of hands grabs my waist from behind. It no longer startles me and I know without turning that it’s Nathan. My body is attuned to him, even here, surrounded by other people. His touch has become comforting and familiar, a lifeline in any uncomfortable situation.
“Hey,” Nathan coos against the shell of my ear. “Are you having fun?”
“Rory’s having fun, which is all that matters.” I turn my head, craning my neck to peck him on the lips. Chett, who is grabbing a plate of food across the table, watches the exchange with a knowing grin on his face. “What’s that look for?”
“Just, back in high school I never would’ve figured on this.” He motions to the two of us. “Why’d you keep it a secret?”
“We weren’t together, then,” I say.
“There’s an adorable seven-year-old outside who begs to differ.”
“She is adorable, right?” Nathan, moving to stand beside me, wraps an arm around my waist, hand settling on my hip. “Come on, we’re going to do gifts.” Nathan threads his fingers through mine and pulls me toward the back patio, where the gifts are piled on a folding table. Despite all my nerves, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Last year, Rory’s birthday party was an arcade, with only Julia, Evan, and a couple of her friends in attendance. I know it’s not about extravagance, but the fact that Rory will never want for anything again is a feeling I can’t really describe.
We’d asked that no one bring gifts on the party invitation, but every single Dallas Cowboy had shown up, arms laden with gifts. The way the team has been so supportive of us is also astounding. I guess I spent my life conjuring all these scenarios about how people would react if they found out the truth about Rory and me… and none of those things I imagined turned out to be true.
I’ve been surrounded by nothing but love and support from the moment Rory stormed off on track and field day, and I don’t quite know how to feel. I’m afraid to trust that this is really my life now. That everything is going to work out.
Hand in hand, Nathan walks me to a folding chair near the table and then goes to collect Rory from the bouncy house. He carries her on his hip over to the gift table. “Time to open presents!” He announces.
Murphy, who is looking especially dignified with his new haircut and bow tie, suddenly gets hyper-focused on a particular wrapped box, which makes me highly suspicious of the contents of said box.
Rory opens the first present. To my surprise, Kelsey is right beside her, deciding which ones she should open next. She opens a large flat one that almost looks like someone wrapped one of those comically large checks from the lottery.
It turns out to be a huge framed print of the soccer team and the Cowboys. “That one is from me,” Lila says, coming forward. “It’s actually for all the girls… the card explains more.”
The card, it turns out says that Lila is donating all new uniforms and equipment to the girls. The gaggle of little girls cheer and Coach Peters goes to shake Lila’s hand. I’m actually really relieved that Lila thought of that, otherwise, Rory opening all of these extravagant gifts in front of everyone would’ve felt a bit too self-indulgent for my taste.
I guess I shouldn’t feel too bad, Jules and I went all out on the party favors.
Next, Kelsey decides they should open the box that Murphy is full-on grumbling at. Rory opens the box and squeals in delight. From the box, she pulls a sleepy golden puppy with a bow on its neck. “A puppy!” Rory cuddles it to her chest while Kelsey and the other girls crowd around.
In disbelief I shoot Nathan a narrowed stare. He holds up his hands in innocence. “I mean, Murphy is always going on about how lonely he is…”
I roll my eyes and pray that we don’t end up with a vacation home in Cabo before this is all through.
