Nora and George left soon after, surprising Casey so that she may finish the rest of her shift and explained they would see Derek at the elementary school. He had just been hired as an afterschool hockey coach. Casey said she would for a quick bathroom break and quickly texted Derek a warning that the rents were here for a surprise visit. Casey quickly thought of the apartment; her mother and stepfather had a key and could go by any time to wait for her. What would they find there?

Casey prided herself in keeping a clean home, but she knew there was a chance that Derek's things could be strewn about the apartment. He usually left a sweater by the clothes rack, and in the bathroom, he had an extra toothbrush or the nights he would sleep over. Casey could her breaths grow faster and shallower. After about six months of 'winging it,' they were officially dating. One usually wouldn't meet their partner's parents and vice versa until a few months into the relationship, but this wasn't a normal relationship. Realizing that she couldn't hide in the bathroom for the next hour and a half, Casey plastered a smile on her face and braved the aisles and customers.

The time ticked by slowly, with Casey rehearsing what would omit from her retelling of life at university. While walking to her apartment, she realized that Nora and George would ask about her romantic life. She hated the idea of lying to her mother. It made her feel physically sick, but what else could she do? She wasn't ready to tell them that she has been in a relationship with her stepbrother.

"Hey, Casey!" A voice called out from somewhere behind the young woman. Casey turned to see Brenda bounding towards her. The two hadn't talked since their fight about Scott. Casey wasn't sure she was in the state of mind to handle another conflict, but the other woman didn't seem angry. "Hey," Brenda said again, appearing a bit sheepish.

"I'm sorry," they said in unison. They smiled.

"No, really, I shouldn't have inserted myself in your business," Casey said, but Brenda waved her off.

"No, stop, you were just being a good friend." She said and shrugged. "Turns out you were right; Scott is scum." Casey frowned.

"I'm sorry he hurt you. You are so much better off without him dragging you down, but I know what it's like when you have feelings for someone, and they let you down." Casey sympathized. Brenda gave her a small smile and looped her arm through Casey's.

"So, how have you and Derek been?" Brenda asked curiously. Casey stiffened. Talking with Brenda had made her forget for a few moments that her parents were in town.

"We're good," She squeaked. Brenda quirked a brow at her.

"That's convincing," Brenda said, and Casey sighed.

"We are. It's just…" Casey took in a deep breath. "We hit some obstacles," She said, absolutely realizing how cryptic she was sounding, and Brenda eyed her with a bit more concern. Casey weighed the pros and cons in her head before looking to Brenda and seeing the sincerity in her eyes, and knowing that she could trust her.

"We have known each other since we were fifteen, and back then, we couldn't stand each other. You see, we are step-siblings," Casey said and looked at Brenda for any glimpse of disgust but only saw surprise.

"But you said you guys had only been a thing for a few months," Brenda said, and Casey nodded.

"That's true. I went away to New York for six months after the summer of high school graduation. We somehow became closer when we weren't living under the same roof. It was strange being able to see him in a new light. Before, he had just been my annoying stepbrother Derek, but then we were able just to be us, and it all was unexpected." Casey said. Brenda nodded along pensively.

"I don't think you have too much to worry about. There is no blood between you and you guys when you first met. Don't stress too much over the details; I've seen how you two are together, and it's beautiful, in my opinion." Brenda said with a smile. Casey squeezed the girl's arm in thanks.

"But now my mom and his dad are in town and have a key to my apartment, and I am terrified of them finding out before we're ready," Casey explained, and Brenda furrowed her brow.

"Hmm, that is tricky. But I am sure they'll hear you guys out after the initial shock." Brenda reassured before they parted ways at the entrance of the apartments. Casey was relieved that her parents were not waiting in the apartment. She quickly collected anything of Dereks and shoved it into the back of her closet. Her cell phone buzzed with a text message.

They are here, and I will keep them busy showing them around campus. If anything, just start making dinner. They'll eat and then leave. Just breathe.

Casey did just that. She took several deep breaths, linked her speakers to her phone, and started playing some music while cooking. About an hour and a half later, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Casey called as she finished setting the table. The apartment smelled heavenly. Casey had made chicken piccata and wild rice. Nora and George came in with Derek trailing behind.

"Oh, Casey, you have done a beautiful job with the apartment, and the food smells delicious, but you didn't have to go through the trouble. We wanted to treat you both by getting some food in town." Nora said; Casey waved off the idea. It was too easy in a small college town to run into people who knew Casey and Derek as a couple.

"It was no trouble; come and sit down and tell us everything that has been going on at home," Casey said, and they all sat down to eat. Before long, they were all laughing and talking happily about the rest of the kids.

"And so now Marti is completely invested into being a vegetarian, and of course Lizzie is in full support and both trying to bully Edwin into converting," George said between fits of laughter. Casey smiled at the scene of her mom and stepfather laughing across the table. It was a nostalgic moment and seemed as though no time had passed and nothing had changed.

"So, Casey, you left us in suspense. Who is the special guy?" Nora said, and Casey felt her breath catch in her chest. Derek appeared calm and collected next to her and, without thinking, squeezed her knee.

"I- um, there isn't." Casey stammered. Nora's smile slowly slid off her face as her eyes followed Derek's arm down to his hand to her daughter's knee. Derek quickly moved his hand back to the table. George took a bit longer to catch on, but when Nora asked, "What's going on here?". He looked between his son and stepdaughter, who reddened at the implied accusation, and he felt the pit of his stomach tightened into a knot.