In The End

Some nights

"Morning beautiful."

Cody arrived at my office with a coffee and a pastry, as he did every morning since we went over to Pasadena.

"Thank you." I smiled getting up from my desk and headed over to him, greeting him with a welcoming kiss as I accepted the cup and paper bag.

"What you working on?" He followed me back to my desk, and perched on the edge as I took my seat.

"Just cross referencing some dates for Jackson. The album is done now and as Axel is off filming so we've had to reschedule some stuff." I mused over the spreadsheet on my screen. "I'm having some trouble rescheduling a few of the European tour dates. I don't really want to pull them but we might have to admit defeat and look at alternative venues or cities if i can't figure it out."

"Sounds like you've turned into their manager." He chuckled.

I felt my cheeks warm as he brushed a stray strand of hair off my face. "I'm just trying to be helpful. Jacksons got some personal issues going on at the moment so if I can remove some additional stress for him I should help out... What?" I looked up to finding him smiling down at me.

"Nothing, just kinda sexy watching my girl at work."

I batted his leg and his hands immediately swooped down cupping either side of my face bring it up to meet his lips. "I have something I wanted to ask you." He announced, pulling away from me but keeping hold of my face. "My parents are coming into town this weekend, I wondered if you would join us for dinner Saturday night?"

"You want me to meet your parents?" My eyes widened as I pulled my head from his hold.

"Yeah" he shrugged, letting out a gentle chuckle. "Look, I know we've only been hanging out for like a month now but we've never really spoken about what this is and..."

My eyebrows raised as he gestured back and forth between us. "What are you saying here Cody... Like, I..."

"Relax" he chuckled again. "I'm not trying to pin you down here and say we're now boyfriend and girlfriend."

I bit my bottom lip as he air quoted the words boyfriend and girlfriend. I had a sudden sense of panic engulf me and my stomach tightened.

"But we hang out a lot, we make out a lot, I think it's safe to say that we are dating, don't you?" He continued, pulling me from my thoughts.

"I guess so." I shrugged feeling the beating in my chest quicken and my palms begin to clam.

"Look, I like you a lot Liv. I don't want to pressure you but I do want to be honest and well, I like you and I could see what we have moving into that next stage and becoming a bit more, you know, official."

"Ok..." I muse over his words for a moment. "I've never met anyone's parents before." I finally spoke causing him to let out a relaxing laugh.

"You've had boyfriends before how have you never met their parents?"

"That was high school boyfriends... and to be honest that was only once, but that doesn't count." I squirmed uncomfortably as he eyed me. "I'm not a virgin, if that's what your now thinking." I instantly clarified, shifting uncomfortably in my chair at his suddenly raised eyebrows.

"I wasn't.... I mean good, but I wasn't... how ma..."

"Good God, Cody can we just keep this about your parents for now please." I snapped again as he tugged at his crisp white collar.

"Honestly though, it's not a big deal if you were, like I think that's admirable for a woman to hold onto her virginity into adulthood." He rambled on and I could feel my blood pressure rising.