Page 31 of The Holiday Exchange
Once our breaths even out, he throws out the condom and I use the box of tissues from my nightstand to clean us up. Hesmiles groggily as he pulls my back to his chest, and it only takes a couple of minutes before he’s snoring softly.
As gratifying as it feels being in his arms, I can’t get to sleep, so I carefully roll out of bed and pad downstairs for water.
I’m at the faucet when I hear familiar shuffling and turn to see my dad. “Having trouble sleeping?” I ask him.
He adjusts his robe. “I can ask you the same question.”
“Yeah, suppose so.” I take a sip from my glass. “Just have a lot on my mind.”
He heads toward the refrigerator. “Did you have a good night?”
“A perfect night,” I practically purr, unable to help myself.
Dad glances at me over the open door. “Glad to hear it. Dawson is a good guy, and he seems to treat you right. That’s all we ever wanted for you.”
I sink down in a chair. “Yeah, I know.”
Logically, I do. But I still made up a scenario and have been deceiving them all week because I was too embarrassed to tell them the truth.
Dad roots around in the freezer and isn’t quiet about it, which is likely the reason Mom shows up next.
“What are you two up to?” she asks just as Dad pulls out a gallon of vanilla ice cream. “Oh, I see. Want me to make something to eat?”
“No, Mom,” I say just as Dad murmurs, “All good.”
“Then grab me a spoon,” she says, pulling out a seat across from me.
Dad smirks as he reaches for two bowls.
“Sure you don’t want any?” Dad asks me as he scoops ice cream for Mom.
I shake my head and look away, guilt making my stomach queasy.
“Is something wrong?” Mom asks, tapping my hand. “Is it Dawson?”
“No, that’s actually going great.”
“Glad to hear it.” She digs into her late-night snack. “So glad you invited him.”
“Me too. Well, sort of…” I sit up straighter. “I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?” Dad sets his spoon down, he and Mom sharing a somber look.
“It’s nothing serious,” I reassure them. “It has to do with my dating life. I wasn’t originally going to bring Dawson.”
Mom’s forehead wrinkles. “Why not?”
God, this is so awkward. I scrub a hand down my face. “Don’t get me wrong, I was excited to finally have someone to bring home. My track record hasn’t been the best. It’s one of the reasons I didn’t tell you I was seeing someone until right before this trip.”
“You just hadn’t found anyone worthy of you,” Mom says in that same tone she’s used over the years after one breakup or another. She was pretty upset about what had transpired with Mark, eventually chalking it up to young love after he returned to town and married Michael.
“It’s my fault too. I keep choosing the same kind of men. Guys who only want something casual or are emotionally unavailable.”
“The important thing is that you recognize it,” Dad replies. “You’ll be learning and growing your entire life.”
Mom’s gaze shoots toward the stairs as if something is dawning on her. “Honey, are you sure this isn’t about Dawson?”
“Actually, it is,” I admit, and she frowns. “The truth is…I was originally dating his twin brother, Nathan, but he dumped me right before the holiday.”