Can't Get Enough | Danny Amendola

Chapter 41

"Are you sure you want to drive?" Danny questioned as he followed Clay and me to the car that we rented at the airport.

I rolled my eyes as I unlocked the car with the fob and the back hatch began to open. I dropped my backpack and duffel bag in the trunk as Danny plopped his bags down next to mine.

"Yes, Danny," I said. "I'm not going to make you drive two hours to my hometown. Besides, I've done this drive a million times. I want you to enjoy it. It's absolutely beautiful. Especially this time of the year."

His big brown eyes looked back at me as a smirk made its way to his face. "If you're sure. Now let's get in the car! It's cold out here!"

"Danny, it ain't that cold," I told him, amused as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "This is classic Wisconsin weather!"

He dipped down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. "Ugh. Babe. Keep me warm... I know. But I wanna get to meeting your family. You've got me excited because you're so excited," he confessed. His brown eyes were looking into mine.

I nodded as I moved my hands up and placed them on his shoulders and teasingly squeezed them. "Oh really? I don't think you'll be saying that once you've met my grandpa," I told him with a smile.

My grandpa was going to be brutally honest. He would probably be waiting with a shotgun over my dad.

Danny rolled his eyes. "It's nothing to be scared of," Danny whispered. "I'll work my charm." There was a quick smirk and then a frown made its way to his face. "Babe, why won't you put your hands below my collar bones anymore?"

I let out a sigh as I pulled away and looked down at Clay who was looking back up at us while he waited patiently. When I looked back up I shook my head. "I know you're fully healed, but I'm still nervous."

"It's okay," Danny said. "I just don't want to be treated like a delicate flower." Those brown eyes were soft and... full of hurt?

"You're not! I'm just nervous! I don't want you to be hurt! I promise I'll feel better when you play next Sunday," I told him.

"Okay." He responded with a small nod. "Now we better be going. We've gotta get to your parents' by dinner time!"

"Yes, Danny," I replied. "I know..." I rolled my eyes. It was like he wanted to be there more than me.

***

"Jesus Jamie!" Danny said, eyes wide as I moved back into the right hand lane and slowed down from the 90 miles per hour I was going.

I rolled my eyes. "Chill, I was passing the Semi!" I shot back as I kept my eyes on the road. "It's not that big of a deal."

Danny rolled his eyes at me and shook his head. "Aren't we getting off soon, too? We're almost in Manitowoc," he said as he watched the signs passing by.

I shook my head. "No, we have to wait until we are on the other side of Green Bay to get off. We're between Appleton and Green Bay, not Green Bay and Manitowoc. Clay will jump up and get all excited when we're close, trust me."

Danny looked at me. "How would you know? He's only come home with you once before," Danny shot back as he looked back toward our sleeping pup in the back seat. Was he really underestimating the knowledge of Clay?

I rolled my eyes. "Even the first time, it was like he knew! And then we took the exit multiple times, too," I told him. "Oh. And I forgot to tell you, he gets really excited when we go over the Fox River and he sees Lambeau Field. There is a reason why he's named Clay." I winked over at Danny.

Danny scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "You two and your damn Packers," Danny playfully complained.

I smiled and leaned over to put a hand on his thigh. "Babe, it's not a big deal! We were born and raised! You have to deal with the fact that we have good taste in football teams."

When I glanced over there was a pout present on his face. "Jamie..." He whined. His eyes were even a bit wet, playing on his kiddishness.

"Danny, I'm still your biggest fan, but you have to deal that the Pack is my home team! And you're in different conferences!" I replied with a small smile. "Now shush. We're coming in hot on my favorite city in Wisconsin!"

Once we were through Green Bay, it was like my anxiety went through the roof. I was completely fine, but the minute we got out of Green Bay, a switch flipped. We were now about a half hour away from the farm. That meant that Danny would be meeting my parents... and, well, vice versa...

I'd only ever had one boyfriend that I brought home and that was back in high school. My parents liked him, but I wouldn't say they loved him. I was absolutely terrified when I brought Jason home.

Now, I was bringing Danny home. And it's not like it's only to meet my parents— it's for three and a half days. There is no bailing now. I didn't know if they'd like him. Especially with how I was in the dumps the Christmas before.

No matter how many times I tried to explain to my dad things were complicated, he always seemed to slightly disapprove of Danny— and that didn't sit well with me.

As I put my blinker on to pull off the freeway, Clay popped up in the back seat and moved so his head was poking out between Danny and I. He nudged Danny's arm and let out a small bark.

"See," I told Danny with a small smile.

Danny let out a small chuckle and shook his head. "He's a smart Pup. Of course he knows where he is," Danny commented.

I nodded. When I got to the stop sign, I hesitated. I sat there for a second, with my right blinker on, as I clutched the steering wheel so hard my knuckles were turning white.

"Are you okay?" Danny's soft voice asked as he looked over to me. Those big brown eyes were full of concern. "Jamie?"

I let out a long breath before I shook my head. "I'm just nervous. I haven't taken a guy to meet my parents in a long time. Let alone a man that I love," I admitted as I looked toward him.

A smile made its way to Danny's face and he leaned over to peel my hand from the steering wheel and bring it up to his mouth. A soft kiss was placed on it, then he gently squeezed it. "You'll be fine. I'll be fine. I've looked forward to this for months now. I'm sure that even if they don't like me, they'll be over the moon about you being home for Christmas," Danny said. His tone was one of reassurance.

A smile made its way to my face and I nodded in understanding. "I love you," I whispered.

"I love you, too," he replied. "Now let's get to your house. I can't wait to meet everyone and have the good ol' Wisconsin home cooking you're always talking about."

"Thank you, Danny," I whispered as I began moving forward again.

Here we go. T-minus ten minutes until we got on the property.