Nola Scott

Telling my dad about Miles wasn't going to be easy.

I knew this since the minute I woke up this morning. Luckily, my sister had gymnastics practice today. Foster was at my aunt and uncle's house. Kayce was also at practice and Brooks was at his friend's house. It was just mom, dad, and me.

My siblings would be easier to tell than my parents which was why I wasn't worried about them. Mom had come into my room earlier assuring me it would be fine and that she was going to make sure my dad was calm.

Somehow, I convinced myself that she was right. I've realized now as I stand here that maybe I should have not believed Mom. Dad stands in front of Mom and I, who walked into this conversation as a team, with his jaw clenched so hard I fear it might break. I turn over slowly to look at Mom and she has a straight face.

We just told Dad that I was in a relationship with Miles. I had whispered the statement so lowly that I didn't know if he had heard me. Clearly, he did. His dark brows furrow and his light blue eyes don't look so light. "Now before we say anything," Mom puts a hand on my back and slightly pushes me forward. "Tell your dad how you feel about the boy, Nola."

I look over at my mom like she's pushing me toward a death sentence.

I've never been scared to express my feelings to my dad. But about a boy? This has to be a first. I feel tiny in my dad's presence and it's not because he's six foot four. He stares down at me like he's waiting for me to say one word before he cuts me off entirely.

A thick lump suddenly appears in my throat and I start to feel emotional. Tears arise, making my eyes glassy. Why does thinking about Miles make me so emotional? His face pops into my head and I see beautiful gray eyes, dark brown hair, a strong jaw, and the most breathtaking smile. The slight rasp in his deep voice. The way he calls me Scott.

My heart skips a beat because damn, he's such an amazing man. I've never felt so safe around a person before. Most times, he's the only person I want to be around. Even at my worst times, I always find myself thinking about Miles. It scared me sometimes how much he would pop up in my brain. With every conversation, he pulled me deeper into his heart, and now I'm so deep, I can't find my way out.

But I don't want to find a way out.
I want to stay here forever.
With him.

Suddenly, tears start flowing out of my eyes and I let out a cry. Instinctively, I fall into my dad's arms and wrap my arms around him. "Nola, what's wrong?" my mom says worriedly as she rubs my back. Dad pulls me in tighter as I cry against his chest.

"Dad, he's amazing to me. I know you're going to question his age and his intentions but please don't. Please. He's so much more than that and I don't even want to hear you question him. I've never felt so loved by anyone in my whole entire life. I know I'm only nineteen but I'm not naive and if I ever had a slight feeling that he was playing with my heart, I wouldn't be with him. Please Dad, just please don't be mad at me," I breathe, through tears.

My eyes are closed and my chest rises and falls quickly. I feel like I'm latching onto every breath. Dad stays quiet as Mom pushes my hair away from my face. "How do I know that his intentions with you are good? He's twenty-four years old, Nola. You're nineteen. What's his business with you? Does he think you're just some younger, weak-minded kid who's gonna be his little doll? Because if that's the case, he can fuck right off."

His words make me feel sick to my stomach and I pull away from him, shaking my head. "Who cares about our age difference? Why does everyone care so much about that? It's irrelevant, Dad. Didn't you hear a single word I said? He genuinely cares about me more than a lot of people do. This might sound absolutely crazy but he's... he just feels right. He feels like home." My voice cracks again.

For a second, I swear I see a shift in my dad's emotions but he goes stoic again. "I don't know this kid enough to make a judgment on how he feels about you," Dad speaks. "You can tell me all of this but I have to see it. I'm not going to change my mind until I see, Nola." While it's not the perfect response, it's better than him talking down on Miles.

"You'll see it 'cause he's coming over for dinner soon, isn't he Nola?" Mom pipes up, putting a hand on my back and the other on my shoulder. I turn to face her, confused. Where did she get that from? My dad's reaction tonight made me scared to even what to bring Miles within a five-mile radius of him. She's looking at me like she wants me to agree.

I don't know when a dinner with my family would fit in Miles's schedule but I'll agree for the sake of it. "Yes, he is. So, please Dad, just be nice. No preconceived ideas about him," I tell him, sniffling. Dad rolls his eyes slightly and then kisses my head. "You're lucky you're my oldest. I wouldn't give this grace to anyone else. He better be ready for questions," he retorts.

As much as I would love for my dad not to give Miles a hard time, I know that would be impossible. After all, I am his oldest daughter. My dad has always been protective of me and my feelings. He's never liked any of the boys I've dated in the past but I'm so sure this one is different. I know Miles isn't intimidated easily and he won't let my dad step all over him.

I'll be on Miles' side too if my dad goes overboard. I'm sure Mom will help calm him down, she's got my back. "Thanks, Dad," my voice comes out softer than I'd like. "He was a good friend to her, Cgc. I'm sure we don't have much to worry about," Mom turns to look at me, "the best relationships always start as friendships." Dad doesn't rebut her statement because it relates to them. They were friends before they ever started dating just like Miles and I.

"You were dating him during Worlds?" Dad asks then. I shake my head. "No, not yet. It's new dad. It like a couple of days new. I will admit I've had feelings for him for a little while but we've been just friends until three days ago," I tell him. Dad makes a huffing noise. "I've got a meeting to go to. Get home safe, Granola. I'll see you and... him in a couple of days." He kisses my head once more and then disappears into his home office.

When he's gone, Mom faces me and smiles. She cups my cheek. "That went better than anything I had imagined. Except you crying, that made me sad." She frowns. "But it made me more assured of your feelings about him." My feelings for Miles are much more intense than I think. It scares me, especially since we just started dating. He's just been in a constant in my life for months and I've appreciated and liked this man for so long.

Long before our lips touched. And long before he confessed his feelings for me.

"Dad's opinion on Miles means a lot to me, Mom. He's my best friend and I don't know what I would do if he didn't like Miles. It would really hurt," I admit. Mom pulls me in for another hug. "I know, babe. Everything will work out, okay? I'll make sure your dad goes into it with an open mind."

My only hope is that she can.

I thank my mom one more time before taking back off to Los Angeles. The minute I step into the door Ember squeals and runs over to hug me. A smile pulls at my lips. She's never been this excited to see me. "What's all this about?" I ask. She pulls back and grabs my shoulders, smiling like a Cheshire Cat. "You're finally dating Miles freaking Dempsey!! Your dream man!"

My eyes nearly bug out of my head at her statement. I've never imagined a dream man but maybe Miles would be close to what I would imagine as a dream. I remember when I saw him for the first time I was instantly attracted to him. That thought went away when he was a prick to me but nevertheless, he was still sexy.

"Oh, quit it, you!" I say, pushing her back lightly. She chuckles and bounces back on our white couch. "How did it go with your dad?" she questions as I take a seat next to her. As my roommate and best friend, Ember has been my go-to person to tell about what's happening in my life these past couple of days.

"Better than I imagined, I guess? He wasn't happy about it but I think the crying sold it," I tell her. Her eyes bug out of their sockets. "You cried?" she yelps. I nod with a fake smile. Crying was never the plan. My emotions got the best of me in that moment and the flood works started. "Ohemgee, why? For show? Or like you actually cried cried?" she questions eagerly.

"I cried cried,"  I cringe. It makes me uneasy thinking about it. Even though it did sooth my dad down a bit. "Look at you getting all emotional that your dad doesn't like your man," Em giggles but it doesn't make me smile. "He's...great, Em. I'm really, really happy. It's been so long since I've felt this way." I sigh, getting emotional thinking about it again.

God, why do I get so emotional over him?

Em grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers. "He is great, Nola. That man is crazy about you and I just know it by the way he looks at you. Your dad will get over it. I'm sure Miles will make a great impression." Her words calm something in me. If Em can see how much Miles and I like each other then surely other people can as well. Or will. No one really knows we're dating yet.

A loud, continuous knock on our door makes us both flinch. "Who is that?" I ask. Em shrugs and gets up. She takes a look through our peephole and smiles back at me before opening the door. When the door pulls back I see a smiley blonde who immediately runs over to be squealing. She attacks me in a hug. "Freaking finally!! This is the best news I've gotten all year!" Kait exclaims.

Huh?

Em closes the door and throws herself back on the couch. "How do you know, huh?" Her eyes light up like she's waiting for Kait to tell her the juiciest secret. I'm starting to put two and two together and am sure Kait's excitement is coming from the fact that Miles and I are together. "Tate. It's okay, Miles told him he could tell me," Kait says.

Ember's phone goes off on the counter. It's JT. She answers quickly. "Hey, bab-" She stops mid-sentence and her eyes widen. "Oh-" Taking the phone off her ear, she puts it on speaker. "No shit you and Demps are dating now, Nola! Oh my god, finally. I've been waiting for the day one of you was going to admit your feelings for each other!" Jay shouts.

"JT, I'm gonna kill you!" Miles shouts in the background. My face gets hot suddenly. Not from embarrassment though. It makes kind of sappy that all our friends are so excited that we're together now. "You're a part of the taken club now! Welcome newbies," JT adds. "Stop!" Miles adds. "I'm sorry, Scott."

JT gasps. "He's apologizing. When does he ever do that? Only to his one true love. How romantic is that folks?" Em and Kait giggle. "God, JT," Miles says, sounding aggravated. "What are you guys doing?" Kait asks them. "That you, Kait?" JT questions, surprised. "Mhm, hi," she replies.

"They're definitely talking shit about us."
"How'd you know?"
"Shake my head."
"What?"
"What I said."
"No one says that Jason," Em adds to the conversation.
"Sorry, mother."

Em rolls her eyes and I laugh. "I'm hanging up now!" JT stutters before speaking. "Love you, darling!" Em hangs up without replying then smiles at us. "Anyway!"

Kait gets between us and we spend the rest of the day talking about Miles and I's new relationship, playoffs, and much girlier things not pertaining to men. Thank God.

The game tomorrow starts a little bit earlier so we all agreed to meet at a bar and catch the game there since they're playing in Vancouver. Since it's an early game, the team should fly back in tomorrow. My heart hammers at the thought. I feel like I've been away from Miles for sooo long now.

Before we retreat to our own rooms, Em peeks her head out, her head between her door frame and the actual door. "Hey. Love you. It makes me happy that you've found your person. I knew he loved you since we flew out to Stockholm." My smile is small but acknowledgeable. "Love is a big word, Em." She's the one smiling now. "I said what I said." The girl doesn't even give me a chance to reply, shutting her door.

My heart is one big mush.

Being loved by Miles sounds so amazing to me and the thought of even being in love makes me want to pass out. Maybe we'll get there. But it's so early still.

Like I said, love is a big word.