Page 47 of Beautiful Trauma

“I called them last night because I didn’t want to catch them off guard and risk their surprise coming across as disappointment to you.”

“You told them I’m only twenty-one?”

“Yes.”

“They weren’t upset?” I asked.

“I think they were a little surprised, but they weren’t upset. We’re consenting adults, after all,” Ezra added wryly. “My parents were more concerned about our relationship harming both our reputations at the school.”

“Myreputation? What do I have to lose?” I asked.

“You could lose the respect of faculty members and gain a lot of scorn from other students. If this blows up, you will be impacted too. Until my mother pointed it out to me, I’d selfishly only worried aboutmystanding with my peers andmycareer.”

I rotated my wrist and slid my fingers between Ezra’s. “You’re the least selfish person I know, Ezra. Hypothetically speaking, it would be a lot easier for me to transfer to a new school where they didn’t know my reputation, but carrying on a torrid affair with a student would follow you wherever you went.”

“Torrid affair?” he asked. “What’s up with you tonight?”

Grateful for the change in topic, I confessed, “I started reading one of Jessie’s romance novels. There was a ‘torrid affair’ between an heir to a large ranch and a poor girl from a rival farm. Their dads used to be partners until something went wrong. I haven’t gotten to that point yet. Kip’s mom just lit into Clarissa and called her a gold-digging hussy.”

“Somehow, you imagined my mom in the role of Kip’s mother?” Ezra asked, trying like hell not to laugh his ass off. “Does that make me Kip then? Is that short for Kipper?” Ezra lost it then, laughing until he was out of breath and tears ran down his face. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m used to these little surprises from you, but this one caught me off guard.”

“I’m not usually this dramatic. I blame my nerves.” I swallowed hard because those nerves were rising up to choke me. “Did you tell them about the other thing?”

“That you have an insatiable sexual appetite?” Ezra’s fingers tightened around mine. I appreciated his attempt to keep the conversation light.

I chuckled as he meant for me to. “The other part.”

“I didn’t tell them you’re HIV positive, Henry. That’s your story to tell, not mine.”

“You don’t think they have a right to know you’re sleeping with someone who’s positive?”

“I don’t. It’s our business. We practice safe sex, I’m taking PrEP, and you’re taking your meds and doing everything in your power to keep yourself healthy and strong.”

“Ezra, you know there are risks besides sexual encounters,” I countered. “What if I cut myself with a steak knife at their house?”

Ezra glanced over with a raised brow. “Is that something you often do?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I was just using it as an example.”

“I’m not dismissing your concerns, but maybe we worry about potential injuries resulting in bloodshed if they occur. For now, why don’t we start focusing on positive examples.”

“Such as?” I asked.

Ezra snickered at my stubborn tone. “What if my parents look past the age difference and school situation and see we have something extraordinary? What if they stop worrying I’m going to die alone and quit playing matchmaker?”

“Does that happen often?”

“Yes, and they’re terrible at it. The guys they introduce me to are all nice, but we don’t connect. I have made some good friends from their lousy attempts, so they weren’t complete failures.”

“Oh man,” I said, suddenly worried that Ma and Pa Meyer would step up their game to save Ezra from my evil clutches.Ma and Pa Meyer? Get your shit together, Henry.

“Oh no,” Ezra said firmly. “We’re not traveling down that road again.” Ezra stopped at a red light then turned and leaned toward me. “Stop anticipating disaster and prepare yourself for a warm welcome from two people who will be excited to see that you make their only child happy.”

“I do?” I hated the insecurity I heard in my voice.

Ezra pressed a quick kiss against my lips. “Extremely.” The light turned green, and he returned his focus to driving.

I stopped staring at Ezra and looked out the passenger side window. “So, you’re saying to knock it off and stop worrying I’ll stick out like a sore thumb like Mona Lisa Vito did in Alabama.”