Timeless • A Kyle Kuzma Fanfiction

xxi

kyle

For some odd reason I figured telling As I loved her would reassure her that tonight was just formality; it wouldn't change anything about our relationship no matter how it went.

I was wrong.

Of course.

The entire ride to my apartment she'd been quiet, the constant bouncing of her leg being the only indication she wasn't asleep. I could see the furrow in her eyebrows and the squint of her eyes and I knew she was overthinking  everything. I was use to her anxious behaviors by now considering how many times she's tried to stop our relationship because of them. I didn't mind because I knew she was sensitive to the whole dating thing and I knew it would take her time.

But I would've never known or thought she'd be this anxious to meet my mom.

I pull into my usual spot and slip my hand into hers.

"Hey, everything will be okay. It's not the first time you've met the parents." I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

It didn't work.

Of course.

"Blake's mom hated me. His dad was the one who liked me."

Oh.

"Come on." I opened my door and Astin follows suit, grabbing Blake from the backseat. We walk hand-in-hand until we get to my floor and she pulls back.

"Kyle, I don't think I want to do this." Her wide eyes and quivering lip showed how afraid she genuinely was.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I wrap my arms around her and Blake.

"Hey, look at me, I love you. I love you so much, too much, to let anything that happens behind that door change us. We've been doing so good, baby. Right Blake?"

"Right!" She squeals, causing a pinched smile to come onto Astin's face.

"Okay." She mumbles, worry still etched into her forehead.

"Okay?" I was too excited, but I didn't care. Her single nod was enough confirmation for me. I quickly unlocked and practically threw my door open before she changed her mind.

We stepped into my empty foyer as a blessed smell wafted around us.

Mmm, spaghetti.

I lead As and Lake Lea into the kitchen where my mom and sister were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I glance at As to see had simmered down at the sight of them. Not by much, but she was calm which was enough for me.

"Food smell good! Yum!" Blake giggles loudly, causing everyone's attention to turn to her.

"Oh my goodness! Hello! Hi! You must be Astin? I've been wanting to meet you!" My mom screeches as she damn near jogs from around the kitchen counter. I wince as she wraps her arms around them both at once and squeezes.

"Ma, let go." I groan, prying her arms away from my family.

"Ah! I'm sorry! I've heard so much about you!" She turns to Blake and squeals. "And you must be Blake! You're so much cuter in person!"

Blake mumbles a small "thank you", and snuggles into Astin's side. Blake was being shy for the first time since I've met her and it was at the over-excitement of her future grandma. Great.

"Ma, seriously, you're scaring her." I chuckle nervously, trying to be respectful. She was still my mama. "Where's Bri & Dre?"

"I told them to go get some shrimp and cheese because you have nothing in here. You not eating?"

I feel my cheeks heat up and scratch the back of my neck. "I don't really spend a lot of time here." In my peripheral I can see Astin look down with a small smile.

"You don't have away games all the time." She replies flatly.

"I eat sometimes...most of the time, at Astin's."

Astin elbows me in the side and I wince again.

"Damn girl, sharp ass elbows."

"Language." As and my mom say simultaneously, each of them giving me another hit.

"Man, bye. Give me my daughter; we're going to pack." I raise Blake from Astin's arms and hold her to my chest.

"Pack?" They both ask and I roll my eyes.

"I'm going to stay with As while y'all here. You can have my room."

"What?"

"What?"

"What?"

"What?"

"Yeah." I shrug. "Unless I'm not welcomed to." I send a pointed look at As and raise an eyebrow.

"You don't invite yourself to stay with people, Kyle." My mom scoffs, turning to Astin with an apologetic look on her face. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

I'd never actually spent the night at Astin's house but I figured she'd be fine with it. I showed up at random times, brought groceries, cleaned if need be, and had a profile on her Netflix. All that was missing was my name on her lease and a key.

"N-No, he's fine. Ms. Kuzma. Ma'am." As stammers out a half witted reply and I blink at her.

"I have never once in my whole time of knowing of, and knowing her period heard her stutter. Well I'll be damned."

"Shut up, Kyle. You can call me Karri, honey. Don't be nervous! Kyle's told me so much about you; it feels as if we're already close. Thank you for making him so happy." She pulls As into a softer side hug and I can't help but smile as I see As let out a breath.

"Thank you, uh, Karri. I appreciate that."

"Oh! I brought presents!"

"What? You didn't have to do-" As tries to stop her, but it's too late. She's already off to get whatever she had brought.

As soon as my mom had stepped out the room, Astin turned to me with my bitter look on her face.

"Tell her we don't need the presents. And what do you mean you're staying with us? You didn't even ask!"

"She likes to give out presents, just keep them. And yeah, I guess I was a little out of pocket inviting myself but is it so bad? I've almost spent the night multiple times."

She rolls her eyes and huffs. "Exactly, almost, being the key word in that sentence. We both decided that it was better if you didn't and now you solely get to decide when you should? Even when it's my home?"

I stare down at her for a moment before wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Hey, I'm sorry, baby. If you don't want me to I can crash with one of the guys or get a hotel. I don't want you to be uncomfortable I just thought it would be okay." I made sure to bite my lip for extra effect.

"Kyle," She groans. "Ugh, whatever, I don't care. But only because your family is here. After they leave, you aren't staying over. And you know why."

A cheesy grin covers my face, I did know why and it made it all the better. "Yes I know. You don't want to accidentally end up on my tip and you don't want me in you, I understand."

"Kyle!"