Page 15 of Sunrises & Salvation
HUNTER
A dam parks the car, blocking my dad’s car in, but I don’t have the heart to tell him that. If my dad needs to go anywhere tomorrow, he can just take Mom’s car.
My cheeks hurt from how much I was smiling on the drive. The surprise of Adam actually wanting to acknowledge me was a heady feeling on its own, but then, when he agreed to play the story game with me, I was momentarily stunned.
It was a sacred game between me and my mom, one she played with her mom, and probably her mom before.
It’s been a constant form of storytelling in car rides.
The trips to the mountains we took every year growing up, watching as the trees flashed by with my mom yelling out random words and my dad cracking up with the random stories we would come up with.
Weaving tales of mythical creatures and humans, and whatever we wanted for that day.
My mom is standing on the front porch, her arms crossed in front of her chest while she watches us unload the truck.
Her flannel pajamas are a welcome sight after being gone for so long.
I fully expected her to walk out here and offer to help, but her eyes are laser-focused on us, and I understand what she’s doing.
She’s giving me space. I don’t know how I feel about it.
My parents have always been the most important people in my life, and if, for some reason, Danielle and Adam don’t get along with them, it will be horrible.
I would never put someone above the two people who held me when I cried over being lonely, even if in the long run it makes me lonelier for longer.
Danielle yawns, and I can hear her jaw crack. “Owww,” she groans, cupping the bone and staring at me while I unload her bags.
“You’ll be fine,” Adam remarks, taking the last bag out of the back and placing it on the ground.
“Grab your bags and let’s go. Collins’ mom is waiting on us.
” He cocks his head toward my mom, who has now been joined by my dad.
My heart warms seeing them standing there together, my dad’s arm wrapped around my mom’s shoulders, tucking her into his side.
I hope that one day I can find a love like theirs.
One that stands the test of time and contention, and at the end of the day, always comes out stronger than the issues we face.
I lead the way, feeling like the mother duck as Danielle and Adam fall in line behind me.
“Hey, Mom, Dad,” I acknowledge.
“Let me help you, son.” He reaches out and grabs one of Danielle’s suitcases from my grip with one hand and my duffel with the other.
“Come on, I’m sure you’re all so tired from the drive. You know how I feel about you driving late at night,” my mom admonishes, holding the door open for all of us to pass through.
“Ma’am, that’s my fault,” Adam admits, and I have to slam my mouth shut because he’s going to take the blame for this.
“Nonsense, it’s no one’s fault. I’m just paranoid. Hunter used to always call me a helicopter parent.”
“Was I wrong?” I mutter under my breath, dropping the last bag I have at the edge of the couch.
We can figure out the sleeping arrangement in a minute.
All I want right now is a chocolate chip cookie.
My mouth fills with saliva at the thought of a crisp cookie stuffed to the brim with gooey chocolate chips.
Taking my shoes off, I tuck them under the edge of the couch out of the way.
My mom makes a scoffing noise, turning around and mock glaring at me.
“With that attitude, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for your surprise.”
“Mommmm,” I groan. She knows I hate surprises. And worse, I hate surprises on my birthday.
“Nope. Don’t care. Be up and ready at a decent time.
We’re having breakfast and then you three can do whatever you want, but we’re heading into town for dinner.
” She wraps me in a hug, and I clutch her back tightly.
The tight, bound feeling in my chest loosening with the connection.
My dad slaps me on the back as he walks by.
“Darling, let him go. He’ll still be here tomorrow when you wake up.” Begrudgingly, my mom lets me go.
When I hear their door shut, I turn to look at my two guests, not sure where to start or what to say. My palms are sweaty and I wring them out in front of me, trying to get the courage to speak.
“So, I have one bed in my bedroom.” Smooth, great start.
This whole weekend is going to be amazing if I keep this up.
“And the couch folds out to a queen-size bed. You two can share that if you want.” I let the sentence die, staring at them and trying to see what they think of that idea. It’s the best one I can come up with.
“Can I sleep in your room?” Danielle asks, and I freeze. Because that means having someone in my space and the nervousness that comes with it. Will she judge me based on my room? Surely not, she doesn’t seem like the type. But that also means I’ll be stuck sharing a bed with Adam.
I risk a glance at him, and his eyebrows are furrowed while he stares at Danielle.
It’s going to be awkward for him. Because I’m gay and he’s not. He’s not going to want to share a bed with a guy he doesn’t even know. And what if he’s worried about me making a move on him while he sleeps?
Taking a deep breath, I calm myself down. I’m not going to do that, and I can’t control what other people think. No matter how harmful it might be.
Adam stares at me now, his head cocked to the side. Like he’s waiting for me to affirm or deny Danielle. I hate being put on the spot and making rash decisions like this.
“I don’t mind sharing a bed with Collins, at least then I won’t be subjected to your snoring all night.”
Oh god. Oh god. What is happening right now.
“Deal,” Danielle says and directs her attention to me. “Show me where your room is?” I’m helpless to do anything but agree. I awkwardly bow and hold my hand behind me in an effort to get her to follow me.
Walking down the hallway, the carpeted floor rubs against my sock-covered feet.
Pictures of my parents and me line the walls.
Vacations, graduations, family gatherings, all of them are documented and framed on this wall.
I try to walk faster past the embarrassing pictures that are hanging up, knowing that no matter how many times I beg my mom to take them down, she won’t.
“You were such a cute kid!” Danielle gushes from behind me. “I just want to pinch your rosy cheeks.” The picture in question is from my early preschool days, with a missing front tooth and huge cheeks because my mom used to like to feed me way more than a kid my age needed to eat.
My face heats in embarrassment. “I was okay. Just a little chubby kid.” The same chubby kid who grew out of it, but by the time I did, it was too late.
I was labeled the weird kid, the kid everyone avoided at all costs.
And then, when I thought I had finally made a friend, they outed me as gay to the whole school.
That definitely did not make the situation any better for me.
“You were so cute. I mean, you’re hot now, but I guess we’re not each other’s type.” Yeah, duh. I want to tell her. Her type is grumpy men with blue eyes that look sinful and have been the star of one too many of my daydreams. We definitely share a type, though.
“Thanks.”
I push open the door to my bedroom, glad that I’ve never been a messy person. The floor is free of mess, and my bookshelf is artfully arranged with artwork I’ve found online over the years. The room is spotless, and my sheets are freshly washed and folded back.
My mom washed and put the sheets on, so she was more excited for me to have company than I originally anticipated. Now, I just need to make it through this weekend unscathed.
“So, this is my room. If you need anything, let me know. And if you need anything umm… Feminine, you can let my mom know.” Well, that was way more awkward than I needed to make it.
“I’ll be fine, Hunt. Just be careful with Adam, okay?
He kinda…” She trails off, crinkling her nose and looking hard in concentration as she starts to unpack her bags.
“He’s not good with people in general. But he’s worse when he is out of his element.
Go easy on him.” She lifts her eyes, pleading with me to understand.
But understand what exactly, I’m not sure.
“Yeah, okay. I can do that.” She stands and wraps her arms around me.
“This is going to be the best weekend ever.”