I'D BE LYING if I said I wasn't nervous walking into country line diner. I know meeting family is a huge part of serious relationships, but bringing Summer home just felt natural. Like a low pressure thing that just made sense. I didn't think about how my dad and stepmom would react nor did I think about other details like if they'd like her personality and think we were a good match. I didn't care what they might've thought. All that mattered was that I needed to go home and I wanted to bring my girlfriend to help make the experience easier.

Now that I'm walking alongside Summer, heading towards the corner booth where a young man who bears resemblance to her is scrolling through his phone, I find myself thinking over those details in relation to myself. Would her family like my personality? I mean, I barely have one to begin with. Would he think we're a good match?

Summer tells me Theo can be blunt and I can be as well, so I know he won't hesitate to give his honest opinion. I just wish our relationship was more secure and we hadn't gotten over a huge fight literally five minutes ago.

I'm trying to keep my cool, but I can't help worrying that her brother's possible disapproval could ruin what we've just rebuilt. As if sensing my nerves, Summer gives my hand a squeeze and reassures me with a warm smile.

Her brother rises up when we reach the booth, revealing his tall and slender body as he pulls her into a hug. "Still didn't wax that mustache, I see," he says into the nook of her shoulder.

Summer pulls apart from him and taps on the skin above his upper lip. "And you're still failing at growing yours, I see."

It's at this moment that he looks up and notices my presence. He's got the same big brown eyes as her and his hair is a more cropped version of her mop of curls. Unlike her high cheekbones, his most prominent facial feature is his sharp jawline. He's a good looking dude.

"Aren't you that basketball player?" He points to me, face searching for recognition the way some fans do when they sometimes see me in public.

Summer leans into me and Theo's eyes widen when even more dots begin to connect.

"Theo, this is Carter Reyes, my boyfriend," she says.

He looks from me back to her, then to me again, seemingly both excited and bewildered.

"Alright, then, let's sit down. Looks like there's a lot more to discuss than I thought," he says.

What I've noticed since getting into my first relationship is everyone always wants to hear how you met, when you met, who started crushing first, who made the first move. Theo is no exception, in fact, he asks with even more concentrated interest than anyone else we've encountered yet. When we tell him the short and pg version, he doesn't grin and compliment our union like others, he just continues to watch us with what looks like caution.

When I confirm how long we've been together, he cringes and looks away for a brief moment.

"Summer, do you want to talk privately for a second or do you want me to just do this here? I don't know how much you two have discussed in your relationship," he says, provoking my nerves even more.

This guy definitely looks like he's getting ready to chase me away with a shotgun, despite it, I like knowing there's one member of her family that's fiercely protective of her.

"Whatever you have to say you can say in front of Carter. We've been super open with each other." She captures my hand under the table and eases my discomfort. No matter what, we're solid right now and on the same page. That counts for something.

"Listen, I don't know much about you, Carter,and I don't have anything against you," he says, steering towards his sister, "but Summer, do you really think a full-fledged relationship is the best idea right now? I want you to be happy more than anything and you've been through hell this last year. I don't want anything to get in the way of you prospering and finishing school. I'm worried this might be a distraction from your studies."

Summer and I both look at each other and break into a knowing laugh.

"We literally joke about this all the time cause I'm constantly saying I have to study or finish assignments," she says. "Whatever you're worried about, trust that I've been twice as worried since the beginning. We didn't go into this lightly. He's aware of my struggles and I'm aware of his."

I cut in to further argue our case. "I also would never knowingly let her slip from her studies. I want her to succeed as much as you do. Like Summer said, we didn't take this lightly. We've both had so many reservations about relationships, especially at this point in our lives, but the truth is, no matter what we felt about it, we couldn't deny how we felt about each other. I think your sister is insanely beautiful, she's smart, so kind, and very stubborn, but incredibly determined. She's brought out so much in me that I didn't even know I had and I enjoy learning more about her and myself at the same time. For us, what we're doing is definitely a risk, but I can guarantee she's the only person I'd be willing to take this risk with. I love her, with everything in me I love her."

I didn't go into this expecting to give such a strong declaration to her brother, I swear I didn't. When you speak from the heart, things just start to spill out that you don't even expect.

Theo's caution begins to dissolve by the second, and he soon looks at us with the smile I'm so glad to have earned.

"I'm still iffy because I think anyone who crushes on my sister is a little gross, but at least you sound genuine," he says. "And most importantly, Summer, you look happy. I know you hate me being on your case about school and your well being but I don't care, I'm gonna continue to annoy you because I need to know you're okay. At least now I know I'm not the only one who's looking out for you."

"Do you constantly have to mix all your sweetness with deprecating jokes at my expense?" Summer asks.

"Of course, that's what brothers are made for."

I lean down and kiss Summer's head. "I don't find anything gross about crushing on you."

"You better not." Theo threatens. "And even though I approve so far, don't think I won't keep tabs on you. I've got a few eyes on campus who'll report back to me, and if you even think about hurting my sister."

"Theo.." Summer cuts in, whining.

"Let me have my moment." He raises his finger to silence her, turning back to me with an intense gaze. "If you even think about hurting her, I'll...I'll I Tonya you. You know, that Margot Robbie movie where she played a figure skater who had her goons break her opponents ankle? I'll do that to you."

I turn to Summer and catch her rolling her eyes while I try to contain my laughter.

"Noted," I say, hoping I don't do anything to hurt her either.

"How's home?" She asks him, strategically trying to change the subject.

His face cringes again. "The same old mess it's always been. You haven't been sending any money home lately, right?"

They fall into a back and forth face off that fills the booth with tension and leaves me confused.

"No." She pauses before recapturing her words. "Why? Are they doing okay?"

"They better be because I've been helping with the bills these last few weeks. I was just making sure they still didn't have you roped into helping too. It's bad enough they had you missing a week of classes to send them money after everything you went through last semester. I'm still pissed about that, I don't care," he says.

What? I think back and am immediately able to pinpoint what he's talking about. During the start of our relationship, there was a week where Summer specifically talked about having to miss some classes to work opening and closing shifts. I didn't know it was to send money to her parents, this is the first I'm hearing anything about that.

She's hinted at her family having financial problems, but she's mostly been hush about her situation, leaving me to speculate and fill in the gaps. Like I said, she's proud and stubborn and hates looking like a victim. Still though, I've been helping with the hints I've received by insisting on paying for everything, by randomly showing up with extra snacks and food to her dorm or taking her out to eat. I wish she could've told me about this, I would've helped and I know that's precisely why she didn't tell me.

I'll let it go for now and hopefully, she'll be comfortable talking about it later. I guess I understand what she meant during our fight. There are hard things we need to be comfortable sharing with one another when we're in relationships.

"They haven't been, so let's just drop the conversation," she says, clearly sounding uncomfortable.

This time I squeeze her hand to ease her nerves.

We check out the menus even though Summer and I already know what we're going to order and when the waiter comes around, all three of us get a double bacon cheeseburger, which we scarf down as soon as we get it.

The rest of the conversation is light. Theo, who's super into robotics details his ideas and creations with information I can barely understand. No amount of quizlet flashcards will allow me to comprehend the mathematics equations he spews a mile a minute. I do like seeing Summer's face light up hearing him speak about his passion.

Even though he prefers the NBA, he's a moderate college basketball fan and watches some Pennwood games so he's pretty curious about my position and future endeavors. I still don't have a clear answer about the future but I indulge him in my mindset right now.

After we finish our meals and I fight and ultimately win to pay, we say goodbye to Theo in the parking lot.

Summer gives him a long hug and a kiss on the cheek that he dramatically rubs off. I reach my hand out and he takes it, giving me a firm shake and a nod.

"You guys take care. I'll see you at my graduation, Summer. I know you can finish this semester strong, call me if you need anything," he says getting into his Corolla.

We watch him back out of his parking spot and drive off until he's out of sight. I can tell Summer is sad watching him go.

I rub her shoulders and kiss her cheek. "We still have some making up to do."

"Are you kidding?" She pushes me away with a cheeky smile. "Don't you know I have homework to do?"

"I have homework to do too. It's a non-fiction paper called the pleasures of Summer. I have to take you home and conduct my research before I can report the findings."

"You're so corny." She gags, kissing my cheek back. "And I've missed you like crazy."

I lock my lips with hers and we kiss until neither of us can take it anymore and rush back to my truck.