It's Always Been You

In the Lion's Den

I felt my anxiety levels spike as my parents' familiar home finally came into view down the tree-lined street.

"Well, we've arrived at last," I sighed deeply, trying to mentally prepare myself as Wes pulled into the driveway and put the car in park.

He turned to look at me, his expression one of calm determination-like he was psyching himself up for battle. "You ready for this?"

"Nope," I mumbled dully, unable to muster much enthusiasm. "But we might as well just rip off the band-aid and get this over with."

Wes gave me an encouraging nod before climbing out of the car. I took a fortifying breath and followed suit, my stomach churning with dread.

But before I could even make it halfway up the driveway, Wes reached out and took my hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

He smiled down at me, his eyes shining with quiet confidence. "You've got this, Fia. I'm right here with you-it'll be okay, I promise."

I nodded, trying to absorb some of his unwavering belief in me as we approached the front door. Steeling myself, I rang the doorbell and waited with bated breath, my heart pounding an erratic rhythm against my ribcage.

"Fia," my mother's clipped voice came from behind the door before it swung open to reveal her scrutinizing gaze. She exhaled slowly through her nose as she looked me up and down appraisingly, a tight smile playing across her lips. "Well, you certainly look... healthy, I suppose."

"Hi, Mom," I replied, keeping my own smile determinedly plastered on despite the backhanded greeting.

Her eyes then narrowed suspiciously as they landed on Wes standing beside me. "And who is this, might I ask?"

"Weston Hamilton, ma'am," Wes responded smoothly, extending his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You have a lovely home."

My mother's eyebrows raised a fraction as she firmly shook his proffered hand, seeming mildly impressed by his polished manners and gentlemanly charm. "I see. Well, Fia neglected to inform me she would be bringing... company."

"Actually, Mom, that's because I wanted to explain in person," I cut in before she could continue her thinly-veiled interrogation. I looked at her expectantly. "Can we come inside so I can do that?"

She pursed her lips but stepped back to allow us entry, her gaze flickering between Wes and me with undisguised curiosity and confusion. This was going to be unbearable.

Once we were settled in the tastefully decorated living room, I decided to just rip the band-aid off completely. "Mom, this is my boyfriend, Wes. My... new boyfriend." I glanced over at him uncertainly.

Wes offered me a reassuring smile and slight nod, the warm look in his eyes bolstering my confidence. I turned back to face my mother's judgmental stare.

"Boyfriend?" She echoed, one perfectly arched eyebrow raised skeptically. "But I thought you and Nate were still an item. What happened there?"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes or let out an exasperated sigh. Trust my mother to immediately jump to the most dramatic conclusions. "Nope, Nate and I broke up actually. A while ago-right at the beginning of the semester."

My mother's jaw clenched almost imperceptibly as her eyes narrowed to slits, her frustration and disapproval radiating off her in waves. I could practically see the reprimands forming on her tongue, but she seemed to be holding off for the moment with Wes present.

"I see," was all she said, her tone clipped. She inhaled deeply through her nose, visibly reining in whatever snide remarks she wanted to make. "Well, I suppose we can-discuss that later then. Your father and sister will be arriving shortly for dinner, so you two can go get settled in the meantime."