A Summer to Remember

really close with both of my parents. My brother and I are also really close, which always seemed to surprise my friends who have siblings. It never occurred to me until now that if I did decide to move in with Adrian, I would have to tell my family. I didn’t think they’d be too supportive of it. I mean, I was only eighteen, almost nineteen, so technically, I could do whatever I want. But I wouldn’t want to ruin the relationship I have with them. I mean if I did move in with Adrian, it would only be for the summer.
    The more I thought about it, the more I was beginning to realize what my decision was going to be. If I was be going to his house every night anyway and I would most likely be staying at his house on the weekends, it might just be easier to leave my stuff there. I wouldn’t have to stay there every night, but at least the nights I’d want to stay there I wouldn’t have the hassle of hauling things back and forth. It wouldn’t be too far from my parents, either and we could still probably come here for dinner a couple times a week.
    I thought back to the night I met Adrian. The chemistry I felt with him was like nothing I’d ever felt before. Then the night at the restaurant when he told me he was leaving, I was so crushed I felt like I couldn’t even breathe. That same night I noticed when I was with Adrian, I was willing to leave my comfort zone without even realizing it. And I loved it! After being with Jason I needed this, I needed to learn that the safest route doesn’t always need to be the most traveled route, sometimes it was good to head down the path to the unknown. And now was the perfect opportunity.
    I was pretty sure my decision was made. I was going to move in with Adrian. Now the only thing left to do was figure out when I wanted to tell him and when and how I was going to tell my parents. I just wanted to make sure everything ran as smoothly as possible.
     

 
     
    CHAPTER 20

    A fter lying around at the pool all day and contemplating my decision to move in with Adrian, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. I only had a couple of hours to spare before Adrian would be getting off work and I promised him I’d be going over to his house every night this week. I jumped in the shower, threw on some sweats and a tank, and ran a comb through my hair. I wasn’t in much of a cooking mood so I decided I was just going to pick up pizza.
    I pulled into the driveway around the time I expected Adrian to be home. I didn’t see his car, so I made my way up the stairs to the front door. I pulled my new key out and pushed it into the lock. I carefully walked to the coffee table and set the pizza and soda on the table. I spent enough time here over to weekend to be able to navigate around in the dark. As I turned back around to head to the light switch, it flipped on.
    “Hey, beautiful.” Adrian walked in with a smile on his face and closed the door behind him.
    “Hey!” I ran up and gave him a kiss on the lips. “I hope you don’t mind, I just picked up pizza.” I pointed to the box on the coffee table. “I’m a little exhausted and wasn’t in the mood for cooking dinner, or getting ready, for that matter.” I gestured toward my outfit.
    “Not a problem, and don’t worry, you always look beautiful.” He kissed me on the forehead. “I’m going to jump in the shower.” He headed toward the bathroom.
    I grabbed some glasses and plates and settled down on the couch, then picked up the remote and clicked on the TV to help settle my nerves. I was going to tell Adrian my decision tonight. Even though I knew he was going to be ecstatic, it still didn’t make it any easier. I was a little scared. I’d never done anything like this before. He walked out of the bathroom in just a pair of basketball shorts, which seemed to be his usual after-work attire, and joined me on the couch. I opened up the pizza box, put a few slices on a plate, and handed it to him.
    “So, have you thought anymore about moving in with me?” he asked as he took a bite.
    “Actually I have.” I put a slice on my plate and closed the box.
    “And?” I could see the concern in his eyes.
    “And I’m going to do it.”
    A grin spread across his face. “Babe! That’s great! I’m so happy!” He leaned in and kissed me, then pulled back and took in the expression on my face. “You don’t seem too excited about it.”
    “I am! It’s just that now I have to tell my parents and I’m kind of nervous