Yeah, that’s exactly what I want to do. Walk into the lion’s den alone.
I had made a quick call to Drew and Jenny and asked if I could pick them up on the way for moral support. I’ve spoken to Carter’s parents a few times on the phone since we moved in together, but this will be the first time they actually see me and meet Gavin. I am beyond nervous about making a good impression. They are the complete opposite from what I'm used to. They never swear, they only drink on special occasions, and I'm pretty sure they've never puked in anyone’s lap after a night out bar hopping. I figured since Mr. and Mrs. Ellis already know Drew and haven’t forbid Carter from hanging out with him yet, I should be okay.
“I still can’t believe you don’t remember screaming at that old lady in the parking lot. It was priceless!” Drew whispers from behind me as we walk into the party room and see Carter and his parents talking to a waiter.
“I’m so glad I downloaded the theme from “Golden Girls” to her phone right after that occurred,” Jenny says to Drew.
“It really was a stroke of brilliance,” he replies.
I roll my eyes and try not to think about the events from last night that Drew and Jenny regaled me with on the ride over. Some things are best left forgotten—or lost in a drunken haze that no one should ever speak of again.
As we walk through the doorway of the room, Carter turns and we make eye contact. I suddenly don’t want to kill the two people behind me. Everything is momentarily forgotten when I look at him.
I can do this. Parents love me.
He excuses himself from the discussion and hurries over to us, scooping Gavin up in his arms and peppering his face with kisses. He reaches out and grabbed my hand to pull me in close and place a soft kiss on my lips.
“Mmmmm. You don’t taste like vomit and desperation anymore,” he whispers with a smirk as he pulls his face away from mine.
“Remind me to never drunk dial you again for a booty call,” I reply with mock irritation.
“Don’t worry,” he says as he turns and pulls me over to his parents. “If that’s your idea of a booty call, I’m never taking another call from you again at two in the morning from the kitchen while you’re down the hall in the bedroom. My penis can’t handle another rejection like that. Or should I say projection?”
Drew and Jenny start giggling behind us.
“Alright, get it all out of your system now you guys. We are never, ever speaking of what happened last night again. We all need to pretend like it never happened,” I state firmly as Carter wraps his arm around my waist and hefts Gavin up higher.
“Yeah, about that,” Drew says sheepishly, “you might want to check Facebook when you get a free moment.”
My mouth dropped open, and I could do nothing but stare at his back as he pushes us out of the way and drags Jenny up to greet Madelyn and Charles and give them a hug. I barely paid attention as Drew introduces Jenny to them. Before I know it, all eyes are on me and Gavin.
“Say hello to your grandparents, Gavin,” Carter prompts him.
“Hi, I’m Gavin. When I’m ten I can drink beer and mow the lawn,” he states with a smile.
Nothing like a little tension breaker.
“Well, isn’t that sweet,” Madelyn says in a voice that clearly states it's anything but.
“It’s good to finally meet you Clarissa,” Charles says distractedly as he stares at Jenny’s ass when she bends over to pick up her lip gloss that she had dropped.
“Dad, it’s Claire,” Carter reminds him in a low voice, giving me an apologetic look.