Hey all! I have decided that this part of the story will be coming to a close with a few more chapters. And in those chapters at some point you will see a little Zade action, if you will. There will be a sequel as I already have the first chapter of that finished.
Enjoy!
"How are things with Lily Anne?" Zoe asked, entering Wade's room and making herself comfy on his bed.
Wade turned in his chair, placing his guitar on the floor, leaning against the wall. He's not supposed to be playing it in the house. But when he's the only one around, he can't help but sit in his room and strum the strings, finding the right chord for the song in his head. He's found that his mom will stop what she's doing and listen to him play. His dad will walk by and shut his door if he's left it open. Jesse, he's a bit of a toss up. One day, he'll grumble about the nose he's making, other days Jesse likes it. And there's the off day that Jesse just ignores the sounds of the guitar coming from across the hall.
"They're good," Wade nodded. He has fun hanging out with her. She is a little on the weird side, but still pretty cool. "Ma wants to meet her," he shared.
"And you don't want that?" Zoe asked with a frown.
The little double date taking place two weeks ago. They've hung out in the meantime, mostly at school. After school, Wade has been busy with music, football practice ended a few months back. They came to an agreement about their Saturday morning breakfast that they would refrain from talking about their dating life. For them, it was easy to forget about everything that wasn't them. Plans for summer and school breaks being made. It didn't matter how far away they were.
"I don't know," he shared, shaking his head. "They've met, briefly, but you know Ma," he sighed, scratching his head. "It's not good enough. It's not like we're dating," he huffed. "I don't know if I like her enough to be her boyfriend," he tacked on, before Zoe had a chance to say anything. "Why aren't you talking?" He asked, glancing at her.
"Because you wouldn't stop talking long enough for me to say a word," she told him, with a small eyeroll. "And I can't make you start dating someone, Wade. Only you know when it feels right," she told him. "Did you explain things to your mom?" She asked.
"Yeah," Wade retorted. "Mom also misses having you over for dinner," he stated. He missed having his friend around. Growing up and getting busy with his own life had its downsides at times.
"Good thing she cornered me," Zoe laughed. It didn't take much to stay for dinner.
"Did she ask you a bunch of questions?" He asked.
"Yes," Zoe laughed. "She asked about Graham, and Lily Anne," she smirked, catching the groan from her friend. "Don't worry, I didn't tell her the information she was digging for," she assured her friend.
"Thank you, Zo," he sighed with relief. "How'd meeting the parents go for you?" He asked.
"It didn't happen. Dad wasn't able to get off, as the emergency at the Casey's farm happened. And this past weekend, Graham was busy with his family," she explained to him. Life happens and there's nothing you can do to stop it. It's been rescheduled, hoping that this time it works out. "On the bright side dad's making you some of his ribs," she smiled.
"Really?" He asked. Zoe nodded her head. "And here I thought you forgot all about me, eating them all yourself," he sighed dramatically.
"That would have been the plan, but I told dad you wanted some, so he's making more," she stated, playfully rolling her eyes.
"See I am special," he smirked, moving from the chair to laying on the bed next to his friend.
"Very special," she commented nudging him. "You're the son he's never had," she said. Her dad really does like Wade, views him as part of the family. Just like the Kinsella's view her as a part of their family. "What were you playing?" She asked, nodding to the now forgotten guitar.
"Nothing," he shrugged, rolling to lay on his back, his eyes closing shut. He felt Zoe move next to him, her head laying on his stomach. He didn't know how she could be so comfortable with her legs dangling off the side of his bed. "Just messing around." That's what he does. Plays around looking for the right sound to go along with the words or melody he's gotten stuck in his head.
"Any luck?" She asked, letting her eyes drift shut.
"Nope," he commented. "You going to the party by the creek this weekend?" Wade asked.
"Graham wants to go, but I don't, not really. You going?" She asked, moving so she laid fully on the bed, her head moving to rest on his shoulder.
"Can't," he said. "We've actually booked a gig, so practice," he shared, wrapping his arms around her.
"Wade," she smiled, looking at him. "That's amazing. When and where?" She asked, happy to learn that his band might very well go places besides the garage.
"Two weeks, at some family gathering for the Millers," he shared. "We've got a list of songs that we need to know. It's nothing special, the band they hired got double booked, and they took the gig with higher wages," he downplayed it.
"But still, it's pretty cool Wade. It's the first of many," she beamed.
"When I make it big you'll be my number-one fan," he teased. She shook her head.
"That'll be your mom, then your dad," she told him. "I'll be your third biggest fan, beating Jesse by a landslide," she remarked, getting her friend to laugh. There's no way she'd be able to compete with his parents, not that she ever wanted to.
"Okay, the number three spot is reserved for the future Doctor Zoe Wilkes," he promised. Whatever happened to them, that spot would always belong to her. Besides his parents, no one else supported him the way she did.
"A doctor and a rockstar," Zoe commented.
"Who would've thought, huh?" He asked. Zoe nodded, as they remained quiet. Different scenarios running through their minds of what their future could look like.
"Wade," she sighed, biting the inside of her lip. "What if…" She wasn't able to finish her thought when Jesse came into view.
"Dinner," he said, entering the room, a smile crossing his face. "Be glad it wasn't mom or dad who saw this," he teased.
"Like they'd care," Wade retorted, following Zoe from the room. "They'd be all for it. They love Zoe more than you," Wade smirked.
"Don't even," Zoe warned, stopping at the bathroom to wash up. Wade behind her as Jesse left them be.
"Zoe, it's been a while," Earl smiled, passing food around. "A very welcome sight," he beamed.
"You're tell me," Zoe replied, helping herself to the amazing food Jackie had made. "I don't even know what's kept me from coming over for dinner," she said.
"You're boyfriend," Jesse smirked, digging into the food on his plate.
"That's right," Earl said. "How are things with Graham?" He asked, once more. The worst part about living in such a small town, everyone knew your business.
"They're good," she nodded, taking a bite of food.
"I've been trying to get Wade to invite Lily Anne over for dinner, but he refuses to do so," Jackie sighed, sending a look to her youngest.
"I told you we're friends and bandmates. There's nothing extra going on," Wade sighed, wanting dinner to end sooner rather than later.
"It's true," Zoe nodded. "They're just friends," she said. She really wanted to help her friend out here. It's hard enough being a teen and your parents wanting to meet the person you're dating. It's all sorts of anxiety. It's worse when you're not even dating the person.
"We would like to meet your new friend, in more than passing," Earl stated, Jesse giving a chuckle. "Don't think you're off the hook, boy. We know you've been sneaking around with Amanda Hughes," his dad stated, giving Jesse a look.
"I'll see when she's free," Jesse sighed, knowing there was no way out for him.
With that decided upon, they moved the conversation along. Wade could tell that his mom wanted to know more about Lily Anne, and he sort of got it. She wanted to know the people he spends his time with a bit better. He would have her over for dinner to make his mom happy, but he doesn't want Lily Anne to get the wrong impression on what they are. Not when he's not really sure what they are.
After dinner saw Wade and Zoe cleaning up. Jesse had a meeting of some sort to be at. Earl and Jackie relaxing in the living room. Wade cleaning up without being told to do so. And Zoe jumping in to help out, like she normally does when she's over, because she doesn't mind, and she hasn't been considered a guest in their home for quite sometime now.
"What are you doing here?" Zoe asked, finishing tying the ponytail holder in her hair.
"What kind of reception is that?" Wade asked, sitting on the edge of her bed. He could see how stressed she is over the night ahead of her. So for that he didn't take offense to the mood she was in.
"A stressed one," she sighed, sitting next to him. "I really want my parents to like Graham. And I just don't know. On top of that his parents are coming as well because they want to meet me and my family," she explained to him. "Wade, I feel like it's going to be a mess, and they won't like me and my first real relationship is going to end because of our parents," she sighed, dropping her head into her hands.
"Zoe, it's not going to be that bad," Wade assured her, wrapping an arm around her. "No one can hate you or dislike you. They are going to love you," he stated. "If they don't like you that is on them and not you."
"Maybe," Zoe sighed.
"Nope, no maybe about it," Wade stated, getting up. "Everything is going to be okay, and I will be here in the morning to say I told you so," he smirked.
"Get your ribs and go, would you?" She laughed, giving him a shove out her door.
"For the record I am not just here for the ribs," he commented, standing outside her bedroom door. "Be yourself Zo, they'll like you," he smiled.
"Thanks Wade," she smiled, taking a deep breath and following her friend downstairs.
She wants to believe Wade. That they will like her. And a part of her believes as much. Though, it's hard to stay that upbeat when you just don't know. It doesn't help when the fear of them not liking you sets in. Worrying about the way you look. The way you need to act. It's a lot of pressure to be you and to be someone you think they want their son to be with. She's seen them around town; it's hard not to in such a small town. That doesn't mean she knows them. When she does see them, it's a quick hello as they pass each other. The few times she's been at his house his parents weren't home; they were at work. Very much like when they study at her house. Her mom off at work or shopping. Her dad at the practice or working in his office. Graham getting the advantage of it all, being that her dad is his doctor on occasion. How can she possibly be calm, when so many things can go wrong?
After seeing Wade off with ribs not just for him but the rest of his family. Harley writing down the instructions on how to cook them when they were ready to start dinner. Wade did try to get the recipe, but Harley laughed, sending him on his way.
Harley stood outside at the grill waiting on it to get hot enough for the ribs. Zoe getting the table set and helping her mom with the sides. Candice not being the best cook around. Zoe couldn't complain because she's not the best cook either. But she's learning, as her dad has been teaching her. Helping with the salad, the corn, the coleslaw, the mashed potatoes and the Mac and cheese, helped to keep her nerves away.
The knock at the door bringing every nerve back to the surface. Anxious, nervous, scared, worried, were just a few emotions cruising through her. She wanted to be happy and excited for her parents to meet her boyfriend. She couldn't find those emotions within herself at the moment.
As the evening went on she felt herself relax. Their parents getting along perfectly. Graham able to charm her parents, and she too able to get his parents to like her. Everything was going smoothly until they were sitting around the table working on the dessert they had brought with them. Zoe really liked it, but that wasn't the problem.
"Mom," Graham warned. "None of that matters now. And I am not holding it against her. We barely knew each other," he stated, giving his mom a look to drop it. He didn't want his mom to be accusing Zoe of anything. It was nothing.
"No, it's fine," Zoe said. She'd clear the air about it all. She didn't want there to be anything they could use to make Graham break up with her.
"You don't have too," Graham said softly, from his spot next to her at the table.
"I don't mind," she smiled softly at him. "I didn't know your son, or that he even liked me. High school crushes can be such a mess," she laughed. "Once I got to know him, the guy behind baseball and studying, I started to like him a lot. Realized that we do have things in common. And well I learned that he's a pretty amazing guy, and that I am lucky enough to know him," she explained. "Going with him to the school dance, it wasn't for any other reason than wanting to get to know him." There were a lot of other things surrounding it all, but when it comes down to it. She went with him because she wanted to. Wanted to know who Graham is as a person. She's happy she did so. "I want you to like me, because I have real feelings for your son," she told them softly.
"That's all we ever want for our son," Mrs. Williams stated. "Young love," she commented going back to the conversation with her parents.
She frowned to herself, biting the inside of her cheek. She wouldn't say she was in love with Graham. She enjoyed spending time with him. She liked him, but she wasn't sure it was love. Loving someone who isn't her family or friends, she didn't know how that felt. Knowing that she loved her friends was easy. Loving the Kinsella's was just as easy, even if she did love Wade more than the rest. But that wasn't because she was in love with Wade. They were just really good friends and she'd hate not having him there with her. Graham, she didn't love him. Didn't know if that is the direction their relationship is going to take.
She pushed those thoughts from her mind and focused on the conversation going on. She let herself have fun for the rest of the night. She'd have plenty of time to analyze what Mrs. Williams had said at a much later date in time.
"I want you to know that I respect your daughter. That I like her a lot, and I don't want to do anything that's going to hurt her. I had a silly crush on her because I thought she was pretty; I didn't know her. And now that I have gotten the chance to know her, I have come to find her beautiful, smart and caring. Everyday I learn something new about her," Graham told Harley.
"I believe you. We see how your two are together. She's happy. I can't ask for anything more than that. Keep respecting her and respecting what she says, and we won't have a problem," Harley warned. He wouldn't make his daughter's boyfriend promise not to hurt her, because at some point they'll break up, and they'll both feel hurt over it.
"Always," Graham nodded.
"Don't be too long now," he said, leaving the young couple alone.
"I want to apologize for what my mom said. All of it. She shouldn't have asked you about your feelings towards me. And she was so off base about the young love comment. Because Zoe I am not there. I don't know what love looks like," he sighed, taking her hands. Did he want to love Zoe? Maybe one day in far away future, if they were still together. They've seen their friends go through relationships the way they do clothes. That's not the type of relationship he wants. They may still be young, but he wants a lasting relationship.
"I feel the same way, Graham," she shared, locking her chocolate orbs onto his ocean blue ones. "I don't know what being in love with someone is like. But the rest of it, she had every right to ask and make sure that I like you. It's her duty as your mother to know how her son's girlfriend feels about him. I didn't mind being asked," she assured him, giving his hands a gentle squeeze.
"Graham we're going," his dad said, breaking up their little moment.
"Night Zoe," he smiled, pressing a small kiss to the corner of her lips. He didn't want to overstep with both of their parents in the other room.
"Night Graham," she smiled, walking with him to the front door where his parents waited.
After goodnights and it was a pleasure to meet you, with an invite to come over for dinner made by his parents, they left. Candice letting her off the hook with helping them clean up from dinner. She didn't question why, afraid they'd make her stay and help. Instead, she told them night, gave out hugs and love you's before heading up to bed.
She smiled getting ready for bed. Wade had been right about the night going well. About them liking her. She wouldn't tell him he was right. The last thing she wanted to deal with is a best friend with an ego bigger than himself.