Destined to be?

Chapter 50

Sarah

They were laughing so that was a good thing.
Mom followed me outside setting the dip down on the table as I slowed my pace a little.
Watching her wrap her hands around dads waist, joining in the conversation. Catching your eyes meeting mine over my dads shoulder. Not sure whether the flutter in my heart was from the dream-like rush of this whole scenario or from that sideways grin.
A little of both.
Seeing you in a tux coming through my front door as dad greets you with mom going to give you a hug.
At that time I didn't want you in my house or anywhere near me for that matter. That was only the beginning when I started to realize that there was something between us.
Something that I am still trying to figure out.
Eyeing my dad trying to gouge how he was right now which seemed completely easy going. Of course that could change when he finds out that Eli is more than just some random person attending the party.
Why did you have to show up so early?
"ah. Eli, this is my wife Claire. We were just talking about the best way to season and prep the meat before cooking and Eli here had some pretty good ideas."
"Nice to meet you Eli. Little bit of advice though, once my husband starts talking about cooking he doesn't stop."
"That's not a problem. I like to cook and i im always open to different recipes and ways of preparing food myself."
"oh well. Then the two of you will get along just fine."
Thanks to mom for trying to make a good connection between the two of them before dad finds out the news.
"So Eli, you dont look like you're in highschool." There it was squinching up my shoulders at his acknowledgement. "You have a brother or sister that's celebrating going off to college?"
"No sir. I'm actually here with."
"Me." I say as I wrap around yours and interlock our fingers together, tucking myself close to your side as I look at my dad with slightly widened eyes. As if, hoping that my look alone will keep him from combusting.
Opening his mouth, about to say something when mom leans over and whispers something into his ear and I can see him looking between the two of us.
"Dad?" His mouth still opened, trying to form words that just weren't coming out as if he was a glitching robot.
Tongs still in mid air not even going to turn the hot dogs on the grill which was surprising because he's been making sure to keep them turning this whole conversation making me really think that i broke my dad.
"Dad." I try again with a bit more worry in my voice, seeing mom nudge him in the side with her elbow. "The hotdogs are burning."
Those words were what finally vanished the frozen spell that had overtaken him as he turned to flip the slightly charred pieces of meat still.
"Hey kiddo." His voice tight. "Would you mind going inside and grabbing me the tray for these?"
"Daaaaddddd." An accusatory conviction in my tone knowing that he wanted to have a talk with you, without me around. Which could go either way.
At least it seemed like mom was on my side and she didn't look like she was going to budge.
"Go on." He says shooing me away, letting me know that this is going to happen whether i like it or not.
Giving your hand one last squeeze before I let go and move quickly inside so I could watch from the open door.
Wishing that right now I could read lips even though from this angle yours were the only ones visible.
What was he asking you, how were you responding?
I know that we both clearly have our stories straight on how we met but I still didn't like not knowing what was being said. wishing that I could turn into a buzzing fly for like a minute so I could go land on the table and listen in.
"That's an intense stare. What's going on?"
Jumping and spinning, hating my best friends timing even more now.
"Oh. I see." Coming over to stand by my side as we each point out gaze on this spectacle of an event as I grip the edges of the hard plastic tray even tighter by the second. "I thought you told him not to show up until later."
"Apparently he decided it would be better to show up before everyone else."
I say smacking my face as I see Luke walk into the yard.
"Y'all came together?"
"He gave me a ride and I needed to use the restroom."
Explains why she was in the house and he wasn't. Using her key one last time before they pack into a car together along with the rest of their stuff and hit the road.
Shaking my head, unable to stand this any longer, I head back out with amara on my heels.
Smile still on your face as I hand dad the tray and take my position back by your side.
His stance seemed more casual, and he was actually smiling.
My dad was smiling even as he watched me take your hand.
"Soooooo?" Genuinely and extremely curious about the next sentence that's going to be said and who is going to be saying it.
He looked at me right then, eyes running over my face then down to where my arms were wrapped again around yours. Nodding his head gently as if he was accepting this but that was all the answer that I needed. Giving him the biggest hug, arms going over his, keeping them trapped by his side as he tells me wow and to be careful around the fire even though there's not much action in his tone as he tries to hug me back with the little amount of room that he has.
"You knew about this?"
"I made sure she was safe, tagged along to everyone of theirs dates Mr. Wilson."
"You knew about this too?"
Hearing my moms voice pipe up. "She just told me in the kitchen." Seeing her raise her shoulders in complete defense.
"What about you?"
"I have absolutely no idea what's going on over here."
Luke answers, a slight hint of confusion that makes his voice raise just slightly.
"What's going on is that Sarah here has a boyfriend."
Rolling my eyes at amaras straight up explanation. Leave it to her to say it how it was. That was something that I am going to miss when she's gone.
Hearing a slap of hands as Luke introduces himself while also stating that he was WITH Amara as i pull away from my dad. Giving him the biggest grin before letting go fully and going back over to you.
"Hey there Mr. Wilson, anything I can do to help?"
"No but thank you Luke."
The four of us moved closer to the crowd that was starting to appear in my backyard. Some I recognized and others that I didn't, most of them seemed to be buddies of Luke since he kept on waving to most of them. Most likely his previous teammates and his fans that he got from playing.
By far this is the most people that have ever been back here and the party hasn't even started yet.
So many conversations buzzing through the air from the swarm of people making me feel like I was in a beehive instead of my backyard. So much going on I couldn't quite concentrate on anything. Not even what my best friend was saying right next to me. A solid hummm in my eardrum.
A comforting tingling sensation going around my neck as I slide the charm back and forth. Trying to focus on my breathing.
Breathe.
Just breathe.
I tell myself.
Everything is going just fine. Better than fine actually. Both my parents seem to be ok with you being here even though it was kind of sudden and they appear to like you which is a good thing. Or at least they're giving you a chance. Which is all that I can really ask for.
Which is already a lot since they don't know the full story. Of course they never can, but they also don't need to.
If they.....
Inner thoughts become muddled as I feel a hand wrap around mine sending a heat so fierce that it feels like a wildfire burning through my brain destroying any overthinking thoughts that I was having. Tilting my head up seeing you grinning down at me as I step closer into your chest welcoming your presence.
Melting into your body as the strange buzz around us turns into actual coherent words.
Just in time for me to hear Luke call out to Brayden.