Single And In Love With My Fake Boyfriend (Single Girls Club #1)

Chapter Fifteen

Lincoln

Hand in hand, Callie and I trail her parents into the kitchen for dinner. My nerves have eased since we sat down and chatted. Her parents are very kind and attentive. I see so much of them in Callie. It’s obvious she had a very happy childhood. My childhood was amazing as well, but there have been moments where things have been stressful as well. Specifically with football. My mom was against me getting into football when I was in middle school. She worried I would get hurt. But after she saw how much I loved the sport, she encouraged me to follow my dreams, and she never missed a game. Even now when I play, she and Dad watch via video call. Jett’s girlfriend makes sure to connect them. Unfortunately, they couldn’t watch me play at my last game because the hours conflicted with their cruise. But I know they were with me in spirit.

“Lincoln, you sit next to Callie,” Mrs. Richards says as she pulls out a chair for me.

I thank her and sit down. Callie drops down beside me, and her parents across from us. The table is quite small since she has a small family, but I love that we’re close to each other. Feels more intimate.

We help ourselves to the food, stacking piles and piles of it on our plates. “This looks delicious,” I compliment as I set my plate before me. “Can’t wait to taste everything.”

Mrs. Richards smiles. “Thank you. Callie cooked many of the dishes.”

Callie holds up her hands. “I just helped. All the praise goes to my mom.”

I take a bite and my eyes light up as all these wonderful flavors explode on my tongue. “Man, this is awesome.” I take another bite.

“Thank you,” Mrs. Richards says with a pleased smile.

Callie’s dad places his hand on his wife’s. “My talented wife,” he says with a smile. “In more ways than one. Did Callie ever tell you how her mom raised a lot of money for a charity that helps sick kids? She organized a very successful bake sale.”

“I remember that. I was in middle school, I think.” I laugh. “I probably stuffed myself with way too many baked goods. They were the best treats I’ve ever eaten in my life.”

Her mom’s face flushes. “Thank you.”

Callie bends close to me. “She made lots and lots of treats for us to take home.”

“Thank you.”

Mrs. Richards bobs her head. “I still bake for charity. Maybe we can have you as a guest next time, Lincoln. That will surely bring in more people.”

“Of course. I’d love to.”

We chat about many things as we continue to eat. I feel like I can’t get enough. Sharing a home-cooked meal with these kind people is truly fantastic. Like Callie, her parents aren’t treating me like a celebrity but like their daughter’s normal boyfriend.

After dessert, Callie’s mom insists that she and her dad clean up. They want us to go out and spend time together. It’s as though they think every second we’re apart is a tragedy. They must feel the same way about each other. I get the sense those two are as in love today as they were when they met many years ago.

I thank her and her husband warmly, telling them I had an incredible time.

Mrs. Richards takes me in her arms, holding me tightly. “Thank you for coming. Callie didn’t tell us what a spectacular young man you are.”

My cheeks heat up. “Thank you.”

She gives her daughter a look. “I’m still a little upset with you that I had to find out from Jenna Diaz that you have a boyfriend, but...” She shrugs. “I need to let go at some point and let you live your life.” She kisses her daughter’s cheek. “Come again, okay? Both of you.”

“Of course,” I promise. At the back of my mind, I know Callie and I will break up in less than a month and her parents might be disappointed. Hopefully she’ll find someone who her parents will love.

After I shake her dad’s hand, Callie and I accept the containers of baked goods from Mrs. Richards and walk out of the house.

She turns to me with a lifted brow. “So what do you think?”

“Of your parents? They’re amazing people. They made me feel so comfortable and loved. I got a feeling of how you grew up. In such a loving home.”

“Yeah, I did. I know there are many kids who don’t, so I’ve been appreciative all my life.”

I nod. “Same with me. I mean, my parents and I had our disagreements, about football for example, but at the end of the day they love me and want only what’s best for me.”

She dips her head in agreement. “So are we going home? I mean, to our homes…you know, in separate cars because we don’t live together.” Her eyes widen and she quickly drops her gaze to the ground. “Sorry. Sometimes words pop into my brain and I blurt them out without thinking.”

Chuckling, I slide my hands into hers. “That’s one of the things I really like about you, Callie. I don’t think you should apologize for being yourself.” I bend close to whisper, “Your future boyfriend will love that about you, too.”

Her cheeks flame. “Thanks.” She shifts her gaze to one of the windows of her house. “I bet you a hundred bucks my parents are peeking out and watching us.”

I laugh. “Probably. Pretty sure my parents would act the same way. They…” My voice trails off as my phone rings. It’s my parents video calling me. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I swear my mom has supernatural powers. You mind if I take the call?”

She gestures that she doesn’t mind at all.

I thank her, step a few feet away, and answer the call. Mom’s face appears before my eyes. She looks tanned and well-rested. She and my dad own an electronic store chain across the country and it tends to get very stressful. My cousin has been running the main office in Springs Falls while they’re away.

“Hi, Lincoln honey.” Mom narrows her eyes at me. “Where are you going looking all handsome like that?”

I push some hair away from my face. “I just had dinner with my girlfriend’s parents.”

She nods slowly. “And am I ever going to meet this mystery girl of yours?”

She and Dad have been asking me about her the past few days and I couldn’t lie to them. “Where’s Dad?”

“Somewhere off eating. He’ll be here soon. So when can I meet her?”

I lift my gaze to Callie. She’s standing a short distance away from me, but she heard every word.

“It’s only fair I meet your parents,” she whispers.

I knew our lie would get complicated the more people we pull into it. But we’ll be doing this for less than a month, and our relationship is pretty much thrown into everyone’s faces. Of course we can’t hide this from our parents.

“She’s right here,” I tell Mom, motioning for Callie to come closer. She inches toward me until we’re both on the screen.

“Hi, Mrs. Walker. It’s so nice to meet you.”

Mom stares at her and a large grin takes over her face. “You’re a beauty! It’s so nice to meet you, too.” She looks at something in the distance. “Tom, come here and meet Linc’s girlfriend. She’s a beauty!”

Callie plays with her hair as her cheeks redden.

Dad’s face pops into the screen, nearly pushing Mom away. “Linc has a girlfriend?”

“Have you been listening to anything I told you yesterday? Yes, he has a girlfriend. Look at her. Isn’t she lovely?”

Dad smiles. “Hello, young lady. I’m Tom Walker. It’s an honor to meet you.”

I try not to cringe at the way Dad’s talking to her as though she’s a client and not my girlfriend. But I guess I can’t blame him, since I rarely bring girls to meet my parents.

Callie smiles. “I’m Callie Richards. And it’s an honor to meet you, too. Lincoln has told me so much about you.”

My parents—mostly Mom because Dad’s busying himself with his food—spend a long time getting to know Callie. As they chat, my stomach gets knotted up. From the look on Mom’s face, she’s so happy I’m with a girl. Most of the time we talk, she always asks me if I found someone. Not only because she wants me to settle down, but because she thinks I’m lonely. While I agree with her, I also told her I’m looking for the right girl and I don’t want to date around for fun like some of my teammates.

“Are you having fun on your cruise?” Callie asks them. I smile at how comfortable she is with them. Like she’s known them all her life. I felt the same way when I met her parents.

Mom waves her hand. “Yes and no. I love being on a ship and visiting many places…”

“And the food is great,” Dad adds.

“Yes, Tom, we know,” Mom jokes. “But I miss my baby, you know?”

My eyes widen. Did she just call me her baby?

“Mom…” I shake my head at her, eye-signaling her to please cut it out.

Mom just laughs. “She’s your girlfriend, honey, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed in front of her. I’m telling you, Callie, my son could be quite stubborn. He wouldn’t let me hug him when he was in high school. He was embarrassed in front of his friends.”

I rub my forehead. “Can we please change the subject?”

“Oh all right, sweetie. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’m just so excited to meet your special lady. Tell me, is she the one you’ve been waiting for?”

Dad elbows her in the rib. “I don’t think our son appreciates you saying that in front of Callie.”

Mom waves her hand. “What’s the big secret? He said he’s looking for a special girl during an interview in The Spring Falls Press .”

I look at Callie, who chuckles softly. “Parents,” she whispers.

No kidding. As much as I love them, Mom tends to go overboard sometimes. “Yes, fine. I did say that in the interview. But can we please not talk about it?”

Mom glances from me to Callie. “You two are adorable together. You know how I sometimes feel things? Like when two people are meant to be together? Your guys’ energies are flying off the charts.” She smiles at Dad. “I think Linc found his queen.”

Dad laughs softly as he drinks some water. “I’m not going to argue with your feelings, but I think we should take the boy out of his misery.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. You’re happy, Linc, and that’s all that matters. And Callie, you’re a precious gem and I’m so happy our son has found you.”

“Thank you.”

“I can’t wait to meet you in person,” Mom continues, while Dad nods. “But until then, take care of our Lincoln.”

“I will.”

We wave goodbye and end the call.

I shut my eyes, take a deep breath, and then open them. “I’m really sorry about that.”

Callie smiles. “I love them. They’re so sweet. I’m sorry they embarrassed you, but they love you so much.”

“I think a little too much. I guess both our parents have problems letting us spread our wings.”

“Yeah, funny how we have that in common,” she observes.

“Perks of being an only child, huh?”

She laughs. “Or a curse, depending on how you look at it.”

We decide to take a walk around the block before we call it a night. I hold out my hand to her and she places hers inside. As we stroll, I can’t help noticing that we get along with each other’s families so well. And both our parents love their kids’ partner.

It bothers me a lot that we’ll break their hearts when we end our relationship. Maybe it was a mistake to hide the truth from them, but I don’t think being honest right now would help Callie or me. Forcing our parents to lie to the world isn’t a better option, anyway.

Callie turns to me. “You seem deep in thought.”

I shake my head, not wanting to upset her. “I had a wonderful time tonight.”

“Me, too.”

I don’t want the night to end and wonder if she shares my feelings. But of course we can’t control time and tell it to stand still, so after walking for half an hour, we return to our cars.

I wrap my arms around her. “Have a good night.”

“You, too.”

I wait until she gets in her car and drives off before climbing into mine and heading home.

Mom’s words play around in my head. She thinks Callie is my special girl? The one I’ve been waiting for?

Of course my mom isn’t really psychic and has been wrong on many occasions, but for some reason, I can’t forget what she said.