Adrian
Jay hasn't been backto Sophia's in three days much to his dismay. The small bit of freedom he felt last week has been snatched from him. I should feel bad about being selfish with her since he leaves for school this weekend, but I don't. The upside is at least he knows that she is safe with me.
The nights I've been at her apartment could definitely be more exciting. I don't want to take advantage of her situation, though. Instead of trying to crawl into bed with her, I've been a perfect gentleman and sleeping on the couch. How in the world does Jay sleep on this thing? While it's the perfect size for Sophia’s small stature, it does nothing for anyone who is tall. My feet either hang off the edge or I’m sitting up while trying to sleep. It’s almost as frustrating as not being curled up with the woman who stays on my mind more than she should.
There are still a few more hours before we have to head to work, and I grab the two blankets I’m using and lay them out on the floor. I'm betting it would be slightly more comfortable even though it is hard as a rock beneath the cheap carpet. Finally, I lie down with way more space to move, maybe I can get some actual sleep.
My eyes are closed, and I'm in that weird space where you’re just about to fall asleep but not quite there yet when I hear Sophia. "Adrian?"
"Yeah," my voice is husky and it sounds like I’ve been smoking for years, even though I haven’t.
"Where are you?" I can imagine her looking everywhere around the room, trying to pinpoint my location.
Apparently, I will not be getting any sleep this morning. It’s going to make for a very long day. "Down here."
"Why are you on the floor?" She’s staring down at me, hair sticking up in all directions. Looks like she stopped being so self-conscious about her looks first thing in the morning. I’m not complaining one bit. She’s adorable when she first wakes up.
I raise my hand and point toward the couch. "I don't fit on that thing, and I was tired of having to turn into a contortionist to try to make it happen. The floor seemed like a better option."
She sits on the floor next to me, legs crisscrossed. "You could've slept in my bed, silly. There is plenty of room." It’s so innocent when it comes out of her mouth, while my intentions would have been anything but that.
"Then your virtue would have been at stake." I roll from my side to my back so I can get a full view of her.
Sophia laughs and places her hand on my abs. "People actually still use that word? It's so old-fashioned." She begins walking her fingers toward my chest, and I'm really beginning to regret this blanket covering me. "Besides, my virtue is the least of my concerns."
Shit, I hope she doesn't look down. She'll see a tent in the blanket, and just how much those words turn me on. Mind out of the gutter, Adrian. Her comment wasn't a double entendre. Was it?
"Oh," my voice cracks and my cheeks flame with embarrassment. Ugh, will this woman ever stop making me feel like a teenage boy? Clearing my throat, I try again, "What are your most pressing concerns?"
She glances down and her eyes widen. Fuck, this is so embarrassing. "Um." Her pale cheeks turn bright pink, and at least I know I'm not alone in the torment. She’s affected as much as I am. "Jay is throwing a fit about being stuck at our parents’ house. He says Mom gives him no privacy and it’s my fault because you’re staying with me. Plus, they are throwing him a going away party this weekend."
Nice subject change on her part. "Why is this party a concern?"
Snorting, she shakes her head. "Oh honey," she pats my chest. "It's not one for me. It is for you, though. You've been invited and are expected to show up. My parents want to meet you. I already told them you would be there."
Anxiety isn’t something I've ever dealt with, but now it's showing its ugly head. There's nothing like mentioning parents to diffuse any naughty thoughts that were playing inside my head. "Do I have to meet your parents?"
"Yup." She stands up and walks toward the kitchen. "Unless you want to be considered as Dawson two point zero, it would be in your best interest to come along and deal with whatever questions they throw at you."
It can't be that bad. Not if they've raised Sophia and Jay to be the smartass people they are. If they are even a fraction of their parents, I think we might get along great. "Wait, why would they compare me to Dawson?"
"Because," her voice floats to me from the kitchen, "he never wanted to be around them. And, when he was… he did his best to be a huge douchebag and constantly implied he was better than them. They were never fans of his, and I wish they’d spoken up about it. Not that it would have mattered." She mutters the last statement, but it’s loud enough I can hear it.
"We can't have that now, can we?" I throw the blanket off of me before remembering my morning situation, and wrap it around my waist as I stand up. "From what I've heard of him, I'm the total opposite of Dawson." I find her in the kitchen and wrap my arms around her, placing a chaste kiss on her shoulder. "Your parents are going to love me."
* * *
Nope, I do not want to do this. Meeting the parents is a big step considering we’ve just started dating. It’s worth it, though. At least that’s what I keep repeating inside my head.
Luckily, Raven was my only appointment this evening and was okay with rescheduling. She had a lastminute work event, and told me to "go knock the socks off of my lady friend’s parents.” I'm not entirely sure that is going to happen, but I'll give it my best shot.
Being off early on Friday night is weird, and I can’t remember the last time that’s happened. Miranda was always mad at me because of my weekend schedule. The fact that I never once took off on a weekend for her, but I’ll do it for Sophia without batting an eye speaks volumes. My connection with her is something I’ve never felt before, and it gets stronger with each passing day.
My apartment feels foreign to me since I've been crashing at Sophia's place. The air is stale when I walk in even though the air conditioner has been running the entire time I’ve been away. Where her apartment is mismatched and cozy, mine is modern and has a sense of sterility. I used to love my apartment, but without the person I want most, I don't even want to be here.
The first thing I need to figure out is what to wear. I don’t want them thinking I’m trouble for Sophia. Most people see others with tattoos and think they are nothing but trouble. Sophia has tattoos, though. They still talk to her, and treat her with respect. At least I assume they do since she has nothing but good things to say about them.
My room would give teenage girls a run for their money. There are clothes piled on my bed and thrown on the floor in my search for the perfect outfit. I have to pick Sophia up in an hour, and I’m still not dressed. The long sleeve button up shirts are out. It’s way too damn hot for that, even if it may give off a good impression. Short sleeve button ups make me look weird. Miranda bought them for me, and I really need to donate them since they aren’t my style.