My phone rang out from my pocket. I pulled it out and smiled, seeing Blair's name flashing on the screen.
"Hey, beautiful." I answered.
"Hey..."
My smile quickly faded. "What's wrong?"
She sighed. "My parents are basically forcing me to do this... but, they invited you to dinner tomorrow."
I slumped back in my couch. "Oh... ok, um, sure, I'll be there."
"Thanks, I wanted to wait a little longer, but they're pressuring me."
"It's ok, we were gonna have to do it eventually anyway."
She laughed slightly. "True."
A silence fell over us, causing me to sigh. "Hey, I just wanted to say sorry I've been kinda MIA lately-"
"No need, I understand. There's a lot going on in your life right now."
I lowered my head. "Yeah... but, you're a big part of my life to and I should be able to make time for you."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up. You have to save some of that energy for meeting my parents tomorrow."
I smiled slightly. "Are they really that bad?"
She chuckled. "No, they're really sweet and there's no way they won't like you once they meet you."
My smile grew a little wider. "Thanks..."
"Anytime... but, I should probably get to bed."
I glanced at the time on my phone. "Same, I'll see you tomorrow though."
"Ok, see you then."
"Bye..."
I sighed eternally. 'I love you.'
I hung up the phone and set it on the table.
'C'mon, Jane, why can't you just say it? You said it to Josh a million times... so why is Blair different? Oh, I don't know, maybe because you actually love her!'
With one last sigh, I headed to bed, my mind racing with what tomorrow would hold...
I looked at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. "Pull it together Jane, it's just her parents. What's the worst that could happen?"
I sucked in a tight breath before heading out to my car.
After a short drive, I pulled in front of Blair's house and shut the car off.
I took in a deep breath before stepping out and walking up to her front door. I put on my best smile before knocking.
The door opened, Blair's smiling face greeting me. "Hey." She said before pulling me into a quick kiss.
"Hi. You ready to do this?"
She nodded before taking my hand and leading me inside.
"Hey, guys, Janes here." Blair called out.
Blair's parents stepped out of the kitchen, big smiles on their faces.
They started to fade a little though when their eyes landed on me.
I gave them a small wave. "Hi, I'm Jane. It's great to finally meet you."
The blonde walked up first. "Likewise, I'm Marry and this is my wife, Vanessa."
Vanessa shook my hand. "It's nice to finally meet you as well."
I gave her a smile before an awkward silence fell over the group, Blair's parents eyeing me.
"Well, let's eat." Blair said, breaking the silence.
Marry nodded. "Right, of course."
She led us into the kitchen and I took a seat next to Blair.
Vanessa sat across from us as Marry set a few plates.
"So, Jane, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"
"Mom!" Blair said before I could reply.
I laughed a little and squeezed her hand from under the table. "It's ok, Blair... I'm thirty-five"
Vanessa seemed shocked. "You do realize our daughters only nineteen?"
Blair hung her head and groaned.
"Yes, but we're both adults and hey, age is just a number right?"
Vanessa laughed a little, but it sounded forced.
Eventually, Marry joined us with the food and we ate in silence. It wasn't until after dinner that they started asking more questions.
"So, Jane, how did you meet our daughter?" Marry asked.
I turned to Blair, not really sure how to answer that.
"At the diner." Blair answered.
They nodded, but I don't think they bought it.
It continued like that for a few minutes. I could tell they weren't happy with the age difference and I was starting to feel like I made a mistake.
I stood up and excused myself, heading for the bathroom.
I splashed some cold water in my face before looking in the mirror. 'Well, they hate you... but, you love Blair and you're not gonna bitch out now. Besides, who cares what they think? They're just her parents for Christ's sakes!"
I rolled my eyes at myself before drying my hands and heading back downstairs.
Blair's raised voice stopped me in my tracks.
"... that doesn't matter to me, mom!" She yelled.
I slowly crept down the hallway, listening to their conversation.
"She's twice your age, Blair!" Vanessa replied.
"So what? I care about her, mom, and she cares about me!"
"I don't care, you are not to see her anymore!" Vanessa yelled back.
Blair went silent and I decided now would be a good time to sneak out. I might've loved Blair, but I wasn't gonna be the person to come between her and her parents.
I quietly closed the door behind me before heading off to my car, a few tears welled up in my eyes.
'You're so stupid. Did you really expect this to go well? She's nineteen fucking years old!'
Just as I opened my car door, I heard her voice. "Jane! Wait!"
I looked up to see Blair charging out the front door. "Jane-"
I put my hand up, cutting her off. "Blair, I'm sorry... but, your parents are right. We were crazy to think this could work..." I said with a sniffle.
"It doesn't matter what they think... all that matters is how we feel about each other."
I gave her a sad smile as a couple tears rolled down my cheeks. "Blair, you're only nineteen, you still have your whole life ahead of you... and you shouldn't be wasting your time on someone like me."
She stared me in the eyes, tears pouring freely from hers. "Please don't go, Jane..."
I took her hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry... but, I have to."
She lowered her head, taking in a shaky breath. "Jane..."
I lifted her chin with my finger before pressing my lips to hers one last time. "Goodbye, Blair..."
Then, I got in my car and drove off, refusing to look back... even though all I wanted to do was go back there and tell her how much I loved her.
But, I couldn't... I refused to pit Blair against her parents... even if that meant hurting her, because in the long run, I knew I was doing the right thing.
I wiped a few tears from my eyes. "I love you, Blair... and I'm sorry..."