Hate to Say I Told You So

Chapter Seventeen

The night that Ross asked my mom's permission, she made him stay for dinner. His vulnerability with my mom surprised me. He made one comment about his parents, and then my mom pounced. She insisted that he tell his mom to come over since they seemed in the same situation.

I had gone upstairs so I could change when I heard a knock on my door. Finn.

"Isa. Isn't this the guy who made you cry the night of the dance?" He sat on the edge of my bed and crossed his legs, looking at me, expecting an answer.

I sighed, pondering how to answer him. I knew I couldn't avoid the question, and decided honestly seemed like the smartest.

"Yes."

"Okay, I promise that I'll try my best to be nice to him." He tried to crack his knuckles, grin on his face, and I shot a hair tie at him.

"Thanks Finn. I promise it won't take much faking before you start to like him. You have a lot more in common with him than you think you do, you know."

"How so?" Finn asked

I didn't quite know how to phrase it, "He comes from a unique home life as well. Talk to him, it will help, I promise you." I walked over to him and made him give me a hug.

"You promise he'll help?"

"Hey, he helped me."

"Well, he's also making out with you." Finn teased.

I pulled away and smacked him on the shoulder, "Ross and I do not make out. We're friends, and that's why he helped."

Finn smiled, so I knew he only teased. I hoped he took my advice and went to Ross for advice.

After dinner, Mom made me help her with the dishes. I think she and Finn had plotted this so he could have his chance to grill Ross.

"Oh, sweetie, why did you not let me talk to him sooner?"

I started drying a pan she had placed in the other half of the sink. "I don't know, mom. Maybe because we just started dating, like, three hours ago, give or take?"

She hit me with the towel she had slung over one shoulder, "Well, for what it's worth, I approve. And he's so cute, sweetie!"

"Seriously mom?" I laughed, "You did not need to go there."

She had seemed less stressed with my dad gone. She smiled more and laughed a lot. My mom had all of these plans to improve the house and just life in general. Maybe my dad's absence wouldn't be the end of the world.

...

Finn gave me a knowing smile as I got my coat to walk Ross home.

Once we got outside, Ross heaved a dramatic sigh and put his hands on my shoulders.

"Oh my gosh. I thought your brother would kill me. He asked the most serious questions with a face of stone." He let out a laugh of relief.

I smiled, "That's just Finn. He's very protective of me now that dad's gone. I'm sure you do the same for Heather."

"Yeah, I kind of did that to Collin, but he needed it." A teasing smile spread across his face, "Do you think Finn can see us?"

"No, why?" I asked, skeptic tone in my voice.

"Because he would kill me for doing this." He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulled me towards him and kissed me, just a few light pecks, but I could feel his smile and pounding heart under my hand on his chest. He took a step back and started laughing, "I love that I can do that now!" He cried, throwing his arms out in victory.

"I bet you do, but what would you do if some guy you had just met was kissing your sister in your driveway?" I teased

Ross' face went blank, "I'd make him pay." He lunged for my hand, "Run, before he gets us!" He laughed, pulling me until we were a few houses away. Maybe that's what my dream had foreshadowed. Not my dad chasing us with a bottle, but Finn with a bat, out to get Ross for kissing me. I smiled at the thought.

"What are you all smiley about, Belle?" Ross squeezed my hand. He slowed his pace so that we could have a little more time together.

"Oh nothing."

"You're just happy? Me too." He tugged me closer and put an arm around my shoulders.

Ross let me walk him part of the way home before he made me turn back.

"It'll be a long night." Ross whined

"Oh, gosh." I made a mock vomit motion.

"Hey, just appreciate my honesty." Ross laughed and took me in his arms again.

"That's true." I ran my hands over the smooth leather of his jacket, glad that I could do that anytime I wanted to now.

"Hey," He tucked a finger under my chin to make me look at him. "I'm scared too." He ran a thumb over my cheek. "We'll get over this together, I promise. This adjustment thing and your dad, and figuring out what's up with us. You're a lot stronger than you think you are," With a breath on my nose, he left. Why did he always act so mysterious like that? Then again, him always keeping me guessing and wanting one last kiss seemed kind of hot.

His words echoed in my head. He'd told the truth; I was stronger than I looked. I could conquer anything.