Page 95 of From Drummer to Gamer

“So what are we, like dating now?”

“Yes.”

My heart fluttered. “I’ve never dated anyone before.”

“Good.”

“Well, I did go on a few dates, but it wasn’t anything serious. They were all so lame and did not like Matt Evans. That was a big red flag for me.”

His lips twitched. “The biggest. Glad you stayed far, far away, firecracker, because I will be the last man you date.”

“I think I like that.” I smiled sweetly.

This was the last thing I’d expected to happen today, but it was a wonderful feeling. I was dizzy with happiness.

“But first, I need to ask your parents’ permission.”

What?

All my joy dissipated into thin air.

Did I just hear him right?

“You mean my mom and dad?”

“Yes, that’s whatyourparents mean.”

“You don’t need their permission to date me. I’m eighteen. I can decide who I want to date.”

He sighed. “There’s that too, you’re still young.”

“If it’s my age that you’re worried about, I’m going to be nineteen in two weeks, but even then, I’m only eight years younger than you, Matty. That’s not really a bad thing. I will wait for you if I have to.”

“And I will wait too.” He pressed another kiss on the back of my hand and gave me a shiver of a smile. “But it’s not that. Your parents trusted me to take care of you, and I don’t want them to think I deceived them to get inside your pants. I will do the respectable thing and ask for their permission to date their daughter.”

A loud groan left my lips. I loved his sincerity and realness, but right now, it really wasn’t helping.

“Please no, that’s a very bad idea. What if they say no?”

“I’m a very persistent person, and I’ll keep trying till they say yes.”

“Matty, please, my parents aren’t like regular parents. My mom is very strict.”

“Victoria actually likes me very much, and I don’t want to tarnish the respect she has for me. This is something I have to do, and I don’t want to hear more arguments about this, Sierra.”

Another groan slipped from my lips, but then I stilled, thinking about all the revelations that Matty uncovered tonight. “Wait,” I blurted, shooting straight. “You’re not going to tell them about the whole gaming thing, are you?”

A rise of panic swirled inside my head, but thankfully, he shook his head.

“It’s not my truth to tell. But I’m sure they’ll understand when the time is right. They might have different views, but they love you very much, Sierra.”

Don’t I know that?“Thanks,” I mumbled.

We spent the rest of the car ride in beautiful silence while he held my hand, and he didn’t stop holding it till we reached my bedroom door, and I didn’t stop smiling once.

“That’s my cue to leave,” Matty mumbled, crowding me against the wall as he buried his face in my neck.

A soft gasp escaped my parted lips.