Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 134

They look like a celebrity couple; Astrid is dressed in a glamorous white gown with an elegant updo, while Barry is tall and impeccably dressed in a smart suit. I wonder if they ever wear anything else.

"My family," his mother beams as she enters the room, heading to Kent first to kiss his cheek. He awkwardly accepts it and gives her a light hug. "And Juls, I'm so glad you could come," she whispers, giving me a hug too, and I try to return it amicably.

"Nice to see you," I reply kindly, and she nods before moving to Cali, who awkwardly gives her mom a quick hug. She whispers something to her mom, who just nods and gives her another hug.

Barry is less warm, more of a handshaker but only with strangers. He just nods at the three of us with a smile.

"Lunch smells good," he says as an opening line, and I feel hot anger run up my spine. Stay calm, Juls. "Let's sit."

I engage in mind-numbing conversation with them through the appetizer, soup, and main course. His dad asks pointed questions about the three of us, meant to get the answers he's looking for, and his mom attempts to hide any feelings that they aren't a genuine family under stories about Kent and Cali's childhood.

It's the most frustrating lunch I've ever been to. I just plaster a smile onto my face and hide every bit of irritation that I'm feeling. I answer their boring questions while Kent deflects his father's questions about school and his plans for next year.

Neither of us knows exactly what next year holds, but his father certainly seems to have an idea.

"Why would you go back to school? I could get you into a full-time position right now," he argues. "You've had lots of time to be young and have fun, Kent. But now it's time to start getting serious about your future."

I have to hold my tongue on that comment. Kent didn't get to be young at any point, not when he grew up the way he did and saw the things he saw.

"I'm thinking about a few things; it's early to make a call like that," he answers, shaking his head. It sounds like a rehearsed response he often tells his father.

"You could move back here; I know lots of places looking for people in the city."

"No, if I'm not going to school, I'm staying in Providence," Kent answers firmly.

"What is it with you and that little town?" His dad laughs ominously, and I press my lips together.

"Barry," his mom sighs, raising her wine glass and smiling at him in a way that almost says 'stop it.'

"Juls is staying there next year for her Master's program," he says with finality. "It's my choice, I want to stay with her."

Cali nearly squeals beside me, and I feel my body grow warm. He's standing up to them, openly expressing how much I mean to him.

"You're throwing a possible leg-up away on your girlfriend?" his father scoffs, and Kent's entire face fills with rage. It's like his dad flipped a switch. I wasn't thrilled about his tone, but I expected his family to feel that I was temporary in some way or that I wasn't good enough.

"I'm twenty-one years old; I can make choices about my life without you breathing down my neck. Life's not about 'legs-up.' We have enough money that all of us could never work again, so I think I deserve some time to figure out what I want," he answers firmly, and I try not to smile.

I'm proud of him. I know he's afraid to stand up to his parents and tell them what he wants, but he's getting better at expressing his beliefs. "I know you're not sure what you want yet, but it's a little foolish to throw it away for love," his father says, and my heart breaks. "No disrespect, Juls—"

"Why? Because that worked so well last time?!" Cali exclaims from the end of the table, and my stomach churns. "For once, stop trying to get everyone to do exactly what you want all the time! Kent's never dated anyone, and we all know that's because of all the self-deprecation and insecurities you've built up in him over the years. He's with someone he cares about and who's actually treating him well! That's an accomplishment you and mom can't say you've managed."

"Calista," his father says firmly, and she crosses her arms, refusing to back down. "Watch your language."

"Oh, stop, Dad, the things you've said at this meal are gross enough without me swearing," she retorts, and I shrink back into my chair.

"That's enough out of both of you," his mom says, putting an end to the fighting. "Not in front of our guests, please," she pleads, looking sad, and I sigh.

He was telling Kent not to throw it away for love because that's what he thought he'd done when he married Astrid. It's why she told Cali to marry well and find ways to get through the days; neither of them married out of love, and it showed.

Astrid takes another long drink from her glass, and I feel awkward and somehow embarrassed when I hadn't done anything wrong. I'd spoken the least of everyone at the table.

The meal wraps up awkwardly, and his father excuses himself promptly afterwards. His mom finishes her glass of wine and then asks to be excused too. I just run my hands over my forehead, wondering why I ever wanted to meet his family and come here again.

I'm exhausted from one meal.

I need some space, so I step out onto the back deck of his house. It's massive, with glass-paned railings that let you see the enormous yard and pool. It's covered in snow, but the fresh air is good for me.

"You cold yet?" I hear Cali's voice, and when I turn, she's walking up to the railing. I stiffen a bit, trying to send her a smile, and she sighs, joining me at my side. "It's normally worse than that."

"I can't imagine it," I whisper quietly, looking away. I couldn't look her in the eyes alone.

A moment of silence passes between us, and eventually she breaks it. "Kent told you what happened to me, didn't he?" She whispers, and I sigh.

"Um... well, yeah, but I didn't ask about it; it was the only thing he told me he didn't want to talk about."

"Juls," she says encouragingly, putting her hand on my shoulder, and I turn to look at her. "I don't mind."

"Really?" I ask. I don't believe her.

"Well, I mind that beaten-puppy look you keep giving me, but... no," she says, and I smile weakly. "Kent's a little sweetheart, but he's guarded. I know he's never told anyone, and if he trusts you... then so do I."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," she insists, shaking her head. "Please don't be. I don't want people to be sorry for me. I made a mistake by listening to my parents too much, and it landed me in hot water and covered in bruises," she says in a hushed tone. "Kent's spent his life making sure he doesn't listen to them, and I make sure he doesn't either."

"He doesn't," I nod, knowing it's true.

"Good," she breathes. "You must think our family's messed up."

"No," I answer quickly, and she raises her eyebrows. "Well... it's definitely different than mine," I mumble, and she nods quietly.

"They try to put on the act, but it falls apart fast when you spend too much time with them," she explains with a shrug. "Look, I just... came out here to beg you not to break up with him over this. They're hardly ever home; I doubt you'll really see them."

"Cali, I'd never break up with him for this," I say seriously. "I love Kent; we've been through worse, and we'll get through this," I tell her, saying it for myself too. I was much more confident in myself when I told strangers what was going on in my mind.

"You love him?" She asks, sounding amazed, and I nod. Her eyes tear up, and I feel my stomach flip. "That's all I've ever wanted for him, this, what you two have. It's amazing, and it's so nice to see," she looks genuinely touched, and I feel encouraged by her happiness. "Kent deserves it; he's spent years being miserable and... watching you with him, it's so clear that you make him happy."

"He makes me happy too," I admit, and she smiles.

"Don't let my parents or our lives make you think anything different," she insists, and I nod. "Once Kent opens his mind and sets it to something, it's impossible to get him to stop."

"I've seen that," I admit, and she chuckles. "My parents love him too; your family isn't going to scare me away. Mine will be there for us, and we'll be there for you."

I barely get the sentence out before she wraps me up in a firm hug, and I smile, hugging her back.

"I've always wanted a sister," she whispers, and I chuckle.

"Me too," I mumble. "My brother leaves much to be desired."

"Most of them do," she laughs, pulling back a bit and giving me a smile. "Thank you, Juls," she whispers, sounding genuinely happy. "I've spent years trying to put my life back together, but what makes it complete is knowing that I didn't ruin his."

I smile at her, squeezing her hands, and she takes a deep breath. I think I've managed to impress the only member of Kent's family that counts.

We hear the sliding door open, and I look over my shoulder, seeing Kent leaning against the frame. "You stealing my girl, Cali?" I hear him say, and I smile at him, feeling comforted by his presence.

"Borrowing might be a better word," she smiles, releasing me, and I grin. "Treat her right; she's a keeper," she tells Kent, passing him to go back inside.

"I know that," he says, rolling his eyes. "And I do treat her right, for your information."

Cali just smiles, waving at the two of us, and I chuckle, watching her disappear inside the house. "It's cold out there, come inside," he instructs, and I do, slowly. I miss him, I want him next to me.

I walk into his arms, and he kisses the top of my head, closing the door behind me. I take a deep breath, and he squeezes me tighter.

"You okay?" He asks quietly, and I nod.

"I am now," I answer with a small grin.

"You want me to run the bath again?" He asks softly, his fingers tracing my spine and chills run up my back.

"Would you?" I ask, pulling back, and he nods.

"Anything for you," he whispers. "I love you."

"I love you more," I whisper back, and he takes my hands, leading me back upstairs to his room. He was always the only thing that made a bad day better.