Homebound

Chapter Nine

"Hex, please go get dressed" I beg as I pull the roast chicken out of the oven. Mum and dad are expected to arrive within the next five minutes for dinner and to meet Hex for the first time. To say I am nervous is an understatement.

The problems between Hex and I from this morning have been left behind us as bigger problems arrive, like Hex's complete oblivion of how big a deal this dinner is to me. I have no doubt he will be able to charm mum but dad on the other hand barely has an interest in getting to know me, let alone Hex.

"Baby, relax" Hex grunts as he sets the table with the food that's already been prepared. His footsteps disappear down the hallway just as a knock is heard at the door. I set the chicken down and rush to the front door, taking a second to breathe and shake my hands out before opening the door.

"Mum, hi" I say as her arms wrap around me. Dad stands behind her as he looks around; taking in the area as he see's where I live for the first time.

"Hi honey, I brought salad" she holds out a bowl of salad with cling wrap over the top. I thank her and take it from her hands.

"Poppy" dad greets me with a pat on the shoulder as he walks in behind mum "nice place" he compliments, taking me by surprise. Maybe tonight will go better then I thought.

"So, where is he?" mum looks around excitedly as we walk into the kitchen and I continue cutting the chicken.

"Ah, he should be-"

"Mr. and Mrs. Hart, nice to meet you" Hex comes around the corner, cutting me off. I pause briefly with the cutting as I take him in. He's dressed in simple pants and a shirt but he has my mouth dropping. I even have to wipe and check for drool.

"Oh Hex! Nice to finally meet you" mum presses a kiss to his cheek in greeting "Emma and Smith is fine" she speaks for dad and herself.

I watch dad eyeing Hex as mum becomes googly eyed around him. Understandable.

Finally mum stands back and allows Hex and dad to meet each other.

Dad sticks his hand out to shake, Hex takes it.

"Smith" Hex says. The hand shake is unnecessarily long as they eyeball each other. Hex knows everything about the relationship I have with dad and it wasn't my greatest idea to tell him because now he's already developed an opinion of him and it's not a good one.

"Seems prison did you well" I wince at the dig dad gives as he pats Hex on the shoulder and turns his back to go sit at the table. Mum follows behind him.

Hex looks at me almost to say 'what the fuck' with his eyes.

"I'm sorry" I whisper across the room to him. "Take this?" I hand him the plate of chicken that I had taken off the bone.

Hex and I take a seat at the table while mum and dad sit across from us. There's tension that lingers in the air, making me squirm in my seat. Hex notices and places a hand of comfort on my thigh.

"So Hex, how are you finding everything?" mum asks, her sole attention rests on Hex and I have no doubt he's already won her over with the few words he's spoken. I scoop a forkful of chicken into my mouth as I look at dad. He's watching the interaction between mum and Hex closely.

"Yeah, things have changed a lot but it shouldn't be too hard to adjust" he replies.

"How many years was it?" Dad jumps in "in prison?" he clarifies, putting me on edge as he pushes Hex while also trying to seem innocent and interested.

"Fourteen years" Hex says, not intimidated whatsoever as he continues eating. I can tell the lack of reaction annoys dad as his eyebrows draw together.

I run my thumb over Hex's hand that holds my thigh; it sends tingles through my body.