Until I Met You

“Do you want to come to dinner with my family?”
I almost choke on my water and look up to see if Alex is kidding. He's not. I've never seen him look so serious.
“Dinner?” I ask dumbfounded. He wants me to meet his family? That is such a huge step. I haven't ever told my parents that we're dating, let alone invite him to come to supper with them.
My parents don't even know that I've seen him after he wasted coffee on me and that was a month ago.
“Yeah,” He says. “Tomorrow night.”
He's waiting for an answer, totally unaware of the internal conflict that's going on in my head right now. Steps like this scare me just as everything else we've done does because that means that this is leading to something serious.
“I uh...” Trailing off, I watch his face fall slightly.
“Just forget I said anything.” He says sighing and I fear that maybe he's starting to get tired of trying so hard when every time something serious is brought up, I pull away.
“No – I just,” why can't I explain it? “I just am surprised.”
He raises a brow and makes a click sound with his tongue. “I just thought you'd like to meet them. They ask about you often.”
Okay so now I definitely choke on my drink. Alex looks slightly shocked when I start spluttering.
“You told your parents about me?” I ask once I can breathe again.
“Yeah,” he says nonchalantly and my mouth gapes open in a way that is no where near attractive. His eyes study me before he gives me a sort of annoyed look.
“You didn't mention me to your parents, did you?”
I blush deep red and avoid eye contact. Of course I didn't because I know my parents and they would make such a big deal out of it.
“Look,” I say. “Your parents may be happy and accepting but you don't know my parents.”
“I'd like to.” He says and it's infuriating because I can't decide between being extremely annoyed that he's being so straightforward or so happy because he is being so unbelievably adorable.
“No, you wouldn't. Trust me.”
He doesn't push it.
“So is it a yes or no to dinner?” he asks. “I need to let the know.”
Should I?
Hell to the yeah.
“Sure.” I say and an endearing grin comes on to his face and it cause me to grin as well. I have a feeling that maybe, this dinner won't be as bad as I fear.

***

The thing with meeting a guys parents is that I have little to no experience with it. Jason's parents were the only ones I ever met and they were absolutely amazing. I was so confused as to how they were so wonderful yet Jason grew up to be a cocky, arrogant little asshole.
But that has lead me to where I am – standing in my closet for over an hour, trying to pick out an outfit that will help me make a good impression. It's surprisingly difficult.
“You know, I always knew that you needed my guidance when it came to clothes.”
I'm certain that my heart stops and I have to decide if I am crazy or if I actually just heard the voice of the one person that I've missed the most.
I spin around and I am totally shocked but squeal when I see Audrey standing there, arms folded over her chest and a smirk on her face
“Audrey! What are you doing here?”
She hesitates. “I came to visit you.” The words come out carefully and that's when I know something is wrong.
“What aren't you telling me?” I question but she doesn't give in.
“Nothing. C'mon, I'll help you get ready for whatever you're doing tonight.”
I don't push the topic any further and instead, I allow Audrey to pick out an outfit for me, do my hair and makeup and when she is finally done making me look pretty, she grins.
“Date tonight?”
If only.
“Not quite.” I say, dropping down on to the couch and putting my face in my hands. “I'm meeting his parents tonight, Audrey.”
She lets out an unbelieving laugh, sitting down next to me. “Stop joking. What are you actually doing tonight?”
I look up at her and raise a brow. “I'm dead serious.”
Audrey looks totally shocked and quickly sobers up. “Are you ready to?”
I shrug. “I guess so... I mean, the thought of meeting his parents is terrifying and makes me want to run and hide because it's a big step but I also am excited because it means the he wants me to be around for awhile.” Letting out a huff, I lean by head against the couch. “You know what I mean?”
She nods. “Yeah, I was so nervous to meet Kyle's parents but they were great. I'm sure Alex's parents will also be. Will his sister be there?”
“How do you know he has a sister?” I ask and she shrugs.
“I may have googled him.”
“Audrey!” I laugh and throw a pillow at her which she easily dodges.
The sound of knocking on my door makes me freeze and before I can get up, Audrey puts a hand on my arm.
“Let me answer it.”
I look up at her, expecting her to be smirking but she looks serious and worried which leads me to wonder what the hell is going on.
“I can get it.” I say standing up, but she gives me a gentle shove so I am back sitting on the couch.
“Just stay put, okay?”
Once she's convinced I am staying seated on the couch, she makes her way towards the door, but the wall that divides the living room and door blocks my view of her.
I hear the door open, and then she calls out to me.
“Eleanor! There is a cute boy at the door for you.”
I let out a groan and stand up, ready to glare at Audrey but stop short when I see Alex. He never fails to make my heart race and body heat up. It's like I feel so alive, every time I see him.
“Hey,” I say breathlessly and I don't miss when his eyes run the length of my body.
“Hey, you look great.”
We kind of stare at each other for a minute before Audrey clears her throat. “Okay, well if you guys don't stop undressing each other with your eyes, my lunch is gonna come up and nobody wants to see that mess.”
I blush deep red and shoot Audrey a glare but she smirks and grips my wrist and pushes me towards Alex.
“Okay children, have a good night. Don't keep her out too late Alex.” Audrey says. “Oh, and be safe.” She winks before shutting the door before I have a chance to get mad.
Alex laughs and slings his arms over my shoulder, pulling me down the hall towards the elevator.
Once inside, he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me close.
“You look stunning.” He says and rolls my eyes, but I can't help my cheeks burning so I decide to turn the attention off me, and compliment him.
“You look handsome.”
He grins and places a quick kiss on my lips before pulling away because the elevator has stopped.
The drive to the restaurant isn't long enough to calm myself down and prevent me from panicking. I have never been so nervous for a dinner as I am right now.
When Alex opens my door, I slide out and start to walk but he stops me, lightly pushes me against the car and leans against me.
His blue eyes study mine. “Hey, it's gonna be fine. Don't stress.”
Too late.
I let out a shaky laugh. “Okay.”
Before I have a chance to pull away, he tilts my chin up and kisses me breathless. It's nowhere near long enough but I realize we're out in public so I let him pull me in to the restaurant. I swear, my legs feel like jello and if it weren't for Alex's hand holding mine, rubbing small circles on the back of my hand, I would've run away.
Before I know it, we are stopped at a table where Alex's mom, dad and sister Anna are waiting. His mom and Anna give me warm smiles but his dad kind of sits there with a blank expression on his face.
“This is Eleanor.” Alex introduces me and I do my best to smile but my nerves are shot. I'm surprised I am still standing.
I take a seat in between Alex and Anna and am immediately questioned by his dad.
“So where do you work, Eleanor?” He asks with a heavy accent and I see Alex shoot him a glare which he completely ignores.
“I'm in school now.” I say quietly and tilts his head slightly.
“What are you studying?” He questions and I shake off the nerves and sit up a little straighter. I refuse to let his dad pin me as some gold digger.
“I'm studying to be an ultrasound technician.”
He nods his head and I think that it's the end of his interrogation but I'm wrong.
“Where did you grow up?”
“A town called Rockshore Estates, an hour outside of Toronto.”
“What do your parents do?”
“My dad is a CEO of a law firm and my owns a chain of salons in Toronto.” I say.
“So they make good money?” He questions and I'm not prepared for the fist that slams down on the table next to me.
“Dad!” Alex exclaims and his dad seems unfazed by Alex's sudden anger.
“What?”
Anna speaks up. “You're making Eleanor uncomfortable.”
He makes a click noise with his tongue and I figure out who Alex picked that up from.
“I'm sorry Eleanor. I just want to make sure Alex is with somebody good.”
I give him a small smile. “I understand. But you don't need to worry, I am not with Alex for his money.”
His eyes lock with Alex's and they seem to have a telepathic conversation (much like what Audrey and I have) before his dad clears his throat.
“It's very nice to meet you Eleanor.” He smiles and offers his hand to me. I shake it and then after the tension settles down, we all order.
The conversations from then on are light. Anna asks if I have any siblings and I nod, diving in to a story about my little sister Thea. Ina, Alex's mom, begins to tell me embarrassing stories about Alex, which he tried to deny but the blush that keeps spreading across his face proves that they're all true. The nervousness and tension that I felt earlier has faded and I enjoy dinner with his family and can't help but hope that I'll see them soon. I really like Anna because she's so funny and can easily keep Alex in line. I can tell they have an amazing relationship and it reminds me of my sister and how much I miss her. At the end of dinner, Anna and I exchange numbers and Ina also asks for my number so us girls can plan a shopping day soon. The thought of them accepting me and wanting to spend time with me makes me so happy because my worst fear about having dinner with his family tonight was that they'd hate me.
Alex can tell how much my mood has lifted as he drives me back to my apartment. I can't keep the smile off my face the whole way home and when he kisses me goodnight and I make my way to my apartment, I am still smiling.
I open the door to my apartment and try to be quiet in case Audrey is sleeping. All the lights are off except for my bedroom and I quietly walk towards my room but I stop when I hear hushed voices. There is more than one voice and I start to panic. Who else is here?
“I haven't told her yet.”
I pick this out to be Audrey's voice.
“You know you're going to have to tell her soon. We can't leave her in the dark.”
Colton.
I want to run in to the room and demand them to tell me why they suddenly came for a visit but I feel like I will learn more if they don't know I'm here. So I lean against the wall and listen.
“I don't want to scare her, Colton. You saw what he did to her.”
What he did to her.
He.
There is no doubt in my mind that they're talking about Jason and I am not going to sit around and wait for them to tell me what the hell is going on so I storm in to my room and both their heads jerk up.
“What is going on?” I ask, nearly yelling.
“Eleanor...” Colton says, standing up and walking towards me as if he were dealing with somebody on the verge of having a meltdown.
Though, when I think about it though, I probably am.
“No,” I say sharply. “I want to know what's going on.”
Audrey stands up and walks towards me with a frown on her face. “It's Jason, Ellie.”
My heart starts to race. What about Jason?
“What about him?” I ask, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
Colton isn't one to beat around the bush so I turn towards him. “What about him, Colton?”
“He came back to town.” He blurts out. “He came to your parents place looking for you and when nobody would tell him where you were, he went to Audrey's place. He was drunk and when she wouldn't tell where you were, he got angry and started going around town asking people where you were. Somebody told him you were in Montreal and Audrey and I were worried so we came to check on you.” Colton hesitates. “We all know how your guys relationship ended, Ellie and I know you remember too.”
I do. I just don't like thinking about it.
“Eleanor, maybe you should come back to Rockshore for a couple weeks in case...” Colton trails off and I take a few steps back.
“In case what?” I snap. “Jason has taken too much from me already and I will not let him take Montreal from me too. This is my home now and I won't run from him.”
They both try to stop me as I turn and run (ironic given my last words to them), grabbing my keys and running as fast as I can out my apartment and to my car, knowing exactly where I am going.
***

“Eleanor.”
He seems shocked to open the door and see my face but when he notices that I am on the verge of tears, he quickly pulls me inside.
“What happened?” Alex asks and I open my mouth to tell him everything but instead I start crying. I am angry at myself because not only do I not want him to see me cry, but I almost told him everything and then he'll see just how broken I actually am.
He pulls me to the couch and lets me curl up next to him and cry. I sob into his chest, soaking his red shirt with tears. When the tears stop, he doesn't ask me about my emotional and possibly psychotic breakdown. Instead, he leads me to his room, gives me one of his t-shirts and then pulls me to his bed.
His arms are wrapped around me with my head is lying on his chest and for the second time this week, I fall asleep in his arms and the only thing I can think is:

Notes

sorry for any errors
im bad at editing
- alex