Love Unexpected (Navy Love Series Book 2) (24 page)

Tegan

I nervously race around my apartment, trying like hell to figure out what to pack.

What does one wear in Michigan in December? A snowsuit?
I don’t think I have enough winter clothes. I’m from Texas originally. Winter to us in like forty degrees, and in my small town, one snow flurry shut the whole town down for a week.

The even more pressing matter is meeting Charlie’s parents. I’ve met boyfriends’ parents before, but I’ve never gone to another state to do that.

What if they hate me?

I continue packing as I go over the pep-talk Marsh and Tess gave me on Christmas night when we had dinner together.

“They’re gonna love you, Bug, quit stressing,” my sister reassured me.

“What if they don’t, though?”

“Cupcake, come on. You’re amazing. If they don’t love you, they’re ignorant. Reed is taking you home to meet them, so you’ve already made a huge impression.”

“Call us if you’re worried or need to talk.” Tessa winked.

I’m tempted to say screw it and cancel going, but I don’t want to disappoint Charlie.

This was a big step for him to invite me to come. I need to get over my insecurities. With a new mind frame in place, my suitcase fills up rather quickly.

We’re leaving first thing in the morning tomorrow.

Christmas day and the last two days have been predominantly spent with my family. After the initial talk my dad and Charlie had, they got along well and everyone was accepting of us.

Jo made herself scarce on Christmas Eve, and when she was around, she wasn’t her normal feisty self; she had a flight booked first thing Christmas morning to go back to California to be with her family. I also noticed she wouldn’t look in J.C.’s direction all day Christmas Eve.

My parents, Hunter, Tess, and Sawyer were all wrapped up in each other and the twins. The help they’ve given since arriving has been a Godsend for Tess. Although, I have to say, she’s handling the big adjustment of damn near doubling the size of their family quite well.

Marshall spent most of the day privately chatting with J.C.. He shocked all of us when he announced at dinner that he’s leaving shortly after the first of the year for deployment. Everyone was upset, but I think we all understood that, deep down, he needed to step away. We’ve all noticed the friction between Jo and him these last few weeks.

It was nice to spend the time with Charlie, out in the open, in front of our friends and family. Christmas Eve and Christmas day were both wonderful for us as a couple.

Tess and my mom loved the beautiful necklace Charlie got me. I have the same photo I gave to Charlie framed on my nightstand.

Walking over to it, I pick it up and examine it again.

It seems like so long ago.

I run my finger over the glass. Charlie wore a Detroit Tiger’s shirt and jeans—that was what started our conversation. I’m a diehard Rangers fan just like the rest of my family, so his shirt was an easy target to tease him. I wanted to stir up a conversation with him and judging by the looks of women he got all night, I knew flirting wasn’t the way to draw his attention, not that I’m good at flirting anyway.

We had a good conversation, both making jabs at the other one’s teams, and a friendship was quickly started that night. Before long, we were taking shots together and shaking our asses on the dance floor.

Who would’ve guessed that night would be the beginning to all we’ve gone through? Now here we are, six months later, dating, and I’m going home with him to meet his parents.

Which brings me back to the now. Placing the picture back down on the nightstand, I finish pacing around the room and finally call it quits on packing. If I’ve forgotten something at this point, I’ll buy it in Michigan. I raided my sister’s closet on Christmas day, stealing all of her thermals and scarves to add to my tiny collection. Hopefully, between the two of us, I’ll have enough to keep me warm.

I lug my suitcase out to my car and load it in the backseat. Charlie had to run a couple errands helping J.C. finalize everything before he ships out.

Seems everyone is going away for the tail end of the holidays. Jo left two days ago for California, J.C. is driving back to Georgia tonight, and Charlie and I are leaving first thing in the morning.

I said goodbye to my parents this afternoon at lunch; they’ll leave to return to Texas while I’m in Michigan. I miss having them so close. Although I’ve been in Virginia for six months now, it’s still an adjustment to not have them right down the road from me. My mom and I were always incredibly close, Tess had our dad wrapped around her fingers, but I was always a Momma’s girl growing up.

To say I’m content with them liking Charlie is an understatement. Of course I had the slight fear that they wouldn’t approve of the seven-year age difference between us, but it wasn’t a concern. Mom and Dad have a large number of years between them, so I thought with my mom’s logical side, she wouldn’t question that aspect of our relationship. I know if I ever need it, she’ll be there with experienced advice on how to overcome the age issue.

Once Mom saw the way Charlie and I were together, she was a fan of our relationship. And Charlie knew the way to get my dad on board: simply be honest with his intentions. I know they had a private conversation, but what was said is unknown to me.

I pull up in the parking lot of Charlie’s complex and see his door open immediately as if he was waiting on me to arrive. Before I’m out of my car, he’s halfway down the steps and headed toward me.

My suitcase is thrown into Charlie’s truck and my small overnight bag and purse are brought upstairs with us. Our flight leaves at 7:15 AM tomorrow morning; we’ll be in Detroit shortly after lunch time.

On the plane, I tried convincing Charlie that perhaps me staying at a hotel would be better this week, but he refused to hear of it, stating that his parents would be thrilled to have me there.

I’m not convinced. Actually, judging by the way his eyes went shifty and he didn’t care to discuss the subject of his parents, I’m not one-hundred-percent convinced they know I’m coming.

As soon as we land, Charlie powers up his cell and sends a text message, letting them know we’re headed to baggage claim now.

Here we go.

“My dad is meeting us here,” Charlie claims as he leads me through this huge airport with ease.

Of course, I have no clue of the man we’re looking for. I’ve never seen a picture, and I can’t go by resemblance to Charlie’s features.

Charlie is searching through the crowd of people at baggage claim looking for his father. I feel somewhat worthless that I’m not helping.

I spot a tall man with short dark hair and a pot belly standing beside the carousel. He seems to be searching for someone as well. I see him look at me then down to my hand which is linked with Charlie’s, and realization crosses his face.

This has to be his dad.

Tapping Charlie on the arm, I nod in the direction of the man. With a smile, Charlie leads us straight to him. He lets go of my hand to embrace the man in a hug.

“Hey, bud. It’s good to see you,” the man says.

“Hey, Dad.”

They let go of each other and both of their attention is now focused on me.

“Umm, hi,” I say unsure of myself.

“Dad, this is my girlfriend, Tegan,” Charlie announces proudly.

“Girlfriend?” He glances from me to Charlie and back again. “I had no idea. You must be some kind of woman to get this guy into a relationship.” He shakes my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Tegan. I hope our Reed is treating you right.”

Our Reed
?

I try to hide my confusion.

“He’s been great so far, sir.”

“Oh, don’t with the sir. I’m Jacob, but everyone calls me Jake.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jake.”

“Hey,” Charlie pipes in. “I’m going to grab our luggage.” I now notice the carousel has started moving. “You guys get to know each other, I’ll handle this.”

He steps away leaving the two of us.

“I didn’t realize Reed was bringing a woman home with him.”

“Hmm, I caught onto that during the flight. He told me y’all would be fine with me staying in your home, but I’m more than willing to reserve a hotel if you’d prefer. I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.”

He seems to think this over for a second.

“Well, I appreciate your consideration. But I’m sure my wife will love having another female in the house. She’s outnumbered by us guys. And if you don’t want to start off on the wrong foot, I’d suggest not mentioning a hotel to her. She enjoys having people over, especially those who mean something to one of our sons.”

Unsure of what else to say on the matter, I simply nod my agreeance.

“So what’s Reed taking you to do this week? Have you ever been to Detroit before?”

“No, sir, and I have no idea what his plans are. He’s been pretty tight-lipped about everything.”

He chuckles just as Charlie walks up carrying his sea bag over his shoulder and pulling my purple suitcase behind him.

“Purple is your color, bud.”

“Shut up, Dad. You two ready to get out of here? I’m starved.”

“We can pick up Coney Island on the way to the house,” Jake suggests.

“That sounds amazing.” Charlie looks to me. “Have you had Coney’s before?”

“Nope, I’m assuming they’re good?”

“The best.”

“I’m in then.” I smile.

“Alright, well, let’s get going then. I know your mom is dying to see you, Reed, and I have a feeling this little surprise you sprung on us,” he lifts his chin toward me, “will have her bouncing off the walls with excitement.”

Well, Charlie’s dad seems to like me, now I just hope the initial meeting with his mom goes just as well.

The entire drive to Charlie’s parents’ home, I wonder about the name thing. Jake called Charlie
Reed
multiple times. Charlie’s never mentioned it to me before. I know military go by their last names, which is why all of our friends refer to him as Reed, but why his dad?

Reed

Driving from the airport to my parents’ house, I wonder when my anxiety will start to take over. I’ve made it farther this time than ever before; normally getting to the airport in Norfolk causes it to spike before I ever get on a plane.

I try to tell Tegan about some of the interesting things as we pass, but I’m having a hard time remembering them myself.

Tegan’s arm comes up from the back seat, incessantly patting my shoulder.

“What is
that
?” she exclaims.

I glance out the window to see what’s caught her attention. The Uniroyal giant tire has been around for as long as I can remember. Most people use it as a mile marker, so to speak. It’s like a beacon telling travelers, “You’ve made it to Detroit.”

“It used to be a Ferris wheel but it’s been renovated and now is just a huge landmark for the city of Detroit.”

“That is awesome!”