“I wish we could have taken my bike. I really fucking need to be on my bike,” Bryce said from the passenger seat as they pulled up to the house.
That was definitely directed at him, because he knew Nick didn’t want to ride the damn thing. “I could have driven my car and you could have taken your bike.”
“Yeah, because that would have looked great. We’re trying to make a good impression on my family. Taking separate vehicles when we live next door to each other would help our case tremendously. We couldn’t agree on the ride to take, Ma, so we rode separately.”
Nick didn’t turn the car off. He silently counted backward from five to calm his frustration. “I didn’t realize this night was about making a good impression. I thought it was just about us spending time with your family and showing them we care about each other.”
“By showing them we couldn’t agree on what vehicle to take?”
“So is the whole night going to be about the picture we’re painting for your family? Let me know ahead of time if I’m supposed to pretend to like certain things you do, or agree with everything you say. I like to be aware of things up front.”
“Don’t pretend you wouldn’t be the same way if we were going to your house. My parents know, Nick. Your Mom doesn’t.”
Nick dropped his head back against the seat. He got it. They were both on edge. They’d made things public at Bryce’s work, were going to see Bryce’s family tonight, Nick’s on Monday. They had a lot on their plate, but the fighting was driving him crazy.
“I just got out of a marriage where I fought a lot with my wife in the end, Bryce. I don’t want to fight with you. If you have something to say, say it. If I did something wrong, tell me. If we’re moving too fast, tell me. Maybe I should just go. It’s probably too soon for this.”
Nick held in his groan when two women appeared at the passenger window, waiting for Bryce. “Your sisters-in-law are waiting for you. What do you want me to do?”
“Get out of the car, Nick. You can’t leave now.” Bryce pushed open the door and pasted on what Nick could plainly see was a fake smile. “Miss me that much, huh?” he asked Hope and Abbey, who both hugged him, but then looked into the car as though they were waiting for Nick.
He turned off the engine, took a deep breath, and gave them a fake smile to rival Bryce’s. When he got out of the car, both women came around, hugging him one at a time. “It’s great to see you again, Nick,” Abbey said.
Hope spoke in his ear. “They’re all great people. They’ll come around. Jamie and I support you both.”
He appreciated that, he really did. But if he was being honest, it made Nick want to climb back into the car and drive away. All they wanted to do was be in a relationship with each other. Why did they have to wait for people to come around, or need other people to support them? The only thing that should matter was the fact that they cared about each other. End of story.
The thing was, he knew it would be even worse with his own family. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Okay, ladies, I know he’s sexy, but give him some space. You’re worse than Christi is with him. If one of you starts calling him hot neighbor Nick, I’m going to lose my shit.”
The women laughed. Nick tried not to groan. Bryce didn’t look at him.
Hope and Abbey led the way inside, followed by Bryce and then Nick.
Jamie met them in the foyer, because obviously they needed, what? A back-up squad? That’s what it felt like.
“Hey, Bryce.” Jamie hugged his brother, slapping him on the back as he looked at Nick. “Damn. He is good-looking. I didn’t notice before. I think he could turn me gay, too.”
Nick actually saw Bryce tense up. Jamie had nothing but support in his eyes. Nick could tell he was similar to Bryce in that he tried to make people laugh to take the tension away. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect this time.
“Jamie!” Hope tugged on him. “Not, now,” she said out of the side of her mouth, as though they couldn’t all hear. Obviously, she sensed the tension between him and Bryce.
“Shit. I’m sorry. Apparently I suck at breaking the ice. That’s supposed to be Bryce’s job.”
Before anyone could reply to Jamie, Bryce’s parents and Mitch appeared in the doorway, the three of them standing there awkwardly.
Bryce did just as Jamie had said: he took over the job he usually had. “We might have a problem, guys. Looks like Jamie might switch to the other team, as well. Sorry about that, Hope. All I know is, I’m not sharing Nick.”
