I'm almost out of this God forsaken boot. It's been two weeks since my vlog was uploaded, and I've received nothing but love and support from my internet family, and now they're all rooting for me as I make my way to the hospital for my, hopefully, last check-up appointment with Doctor Williams.

For the past six weeks, my life has been torturous. I was only able to go anywhere if someone else would drive me, for my car deemed difficult to drive with my boot. I tried the first week, but pushing in a clutch pedal is not ideal when you have an intrusive piece of fabric and whatever else the damn thing is made of blocking you from feeling the pedal. I eventually gave up. Ryder was too uncomfortable to drive it until a week ago, so I couldn't borrow his car until he was home from work. All I've done was sit and stare at Black Betty, or at least what's left of her. She's such a mess, and I don't have a clue as to where to start in the restoration process.

Suddenly, Ryder snaps me out of my thoughts by clearing his throat. I look to him expectantly, waiting for him to say something. Sensing my gaze, he smirks. Damn, that smirk.

"Whatcha thinking about?" He asks, glancing to me quickly. "You've been quiet, either staring out the window or at me. What's up?"

"Just nervous," I mumble.

"Why?" He asks, gently placing his hand on my forearm. "You know everything will be alright one way or another."

"I know," I sigh, turning to face him slightly. "I just want the appointment to be positive. I want this fucking boot off so I can be one step closer to moving on from all of this." I see Ryder flinch at my tone, which gradually became bitter throughout my rant. I give him an apologetic glance, then turn back to the window.

"How would a small getaway sound?" He bursts, out of nowhere, to which I respond with a surprised cough.

After regaining composure, I slowly turn to him with confusion and excitement and ask, "really? Where to?"

He stays silent for a moment, drumming his thumbs against the steering wheel to the beat of the song playing on the radio. Avoiding eye contact, he takes a deep breath, then says, "Chicago."

"Chicago?" I ask, excitement riddled in my voice. I smile wide, wiggling slightly with happiness. "I've always wanted to go! But don't you think it'll be a little tough? I won't be able to walk very much. I mean, even if I can stop wearing my boot, my ankle will still be pretty weak."

Still drumming his thumbs, he takes another deep breath. "Well, it's not exactly Chicago, it's one of the suburbs."

"Why would we take a trip to the suburbs of Chicago?" I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion, looking to him for an explanation. "Unless we're just staying there since hotels are probably a lot cheaper."

"We're not staying in a hotel," he blurts out hurriedly.

"Where would we stay then? A bed and breakfast? Or maybe one of those pretty houses from Air BNB?"

"My parents' house," he mumbles barely loud enough for me to hear. My eyes go wide at the realization of what he's saying. "I want you to meet my parents, and since I've been meaning to go there anyway..." he trails off, hoping I'll understand.

"You want me to spend a weekend with you at your parents' house?" I exclaim nervously.

"Well, I planned for a week." He's wearing his smirk again, and I'm half tempted to reach over and smack it off. "I have things planned, so it's not like we'd be spending the whole time there with them."

"A week?" Is all I can muster up at the time, unable to think clearly. I've never been the best with parents of my past boyfriends, and I really didn't even like them all that much. It's different with Ryder. I'm in love with him, and I don't want to mess things up by not impressing his parents.

"A week of you and me, sleeping in my childhood bed, exploring my hometown, meeting my friends, and maybe even stopping at a Harley shop just to make you happy." He winks at the last part, attempting to put me at ease. It doesn't work. If anything, it makes my heart race even more, my nerves skyrocket, and my pores start to sweat. I nod slightly in a panic, hoping he doesn't see my reaction. Thankfully he's driving, not paying attention to my actions.

"Alright, Corina, you ready for the news?" Sitting in Dr. Williams' office makes me so uncomfortable. I hate doctors to begin with, and with the connotation I have associated this office with, I hate this a million times more. Dr. Williams is sweet, but she's still a doctor: the enemy. I nod to her slowly in response, afraid of the outcome.

Ryder steps up, grabbing my hand in his. "Just breathe," he whispers, "it's going to be okay." I squeeze his hand tightly.

"I hope you brought your left shoe!" The doctor says with a happy smile. "You're ankle is all healed up! Just be careful walking on it at first, okay? It's going to feel weak and light compared to your boot." She turns around to step out, going to get my paperwork.

Ryder turns to me with a genuine smile. "I'm so happy." He hugs me sweetly, kissing the top of my head. "We're going to be able to have so much fun on our trip! Thank goodness you'll be out of the boot!"

My breath hitches in my chest at the mention of the trip. I know I'll have to meet his parents one time or another, but does it have to be right now? I just wish I had the guts to tell him how I feel, but I just can't bring myself to it. The happiness in his eyes when he talks about it just warms my heart so much, and I can't be the one to break it.

"I can't wait," I mumble back. "So when are we going?"

"Plane leaves Sunday at noon!" He's still so excited, and I still feel like I can't breathe. The plane leaves on Sunday, and it's already Thursday. I only have a few days to pack, plus get the courage I'm going to need for this trip. Lord, send me strength.

The door opens, and Dr. Williams walks in, her heels clicking on the tiled floor. Her eyes widen at the sight of Ryder and I embracing, and we pull away from each other. "So sorry!" She blurts, a blush peaking through her foundation. "But, it's been a pleasure to be your doctor, Corina. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or my practice at anytime." She smiles, then we make our way out, down the hallway, and back to the car.

It's Sunday morning, bright and early. We're on our way to the airport, and Ryder is more excited than I've ever seen him, practically jumping in his seat as he drives. "I'm so excited for you to meet them," he says with a wide smile. "My mom is going to love you. My dad, though, will probably be intimidated by you."

I'm taken aback in surprise, and the nerves start to bubble up again. I had finally started to calm down and accept this little trip, but the comment about his dad completely reversed that. "In-intimidate? Why?"

He just slightly chuckles and places his hand on my thigh, his usual move when he drives. "Because you're a badass, and he's a third grade teacher that wears turtleneck sweaters and suspenders."

This information puts me a little more at ease. "Come on," I say. "Teaching third grade is pretty badass if you ask me," I add in.

"How so?" He asks with a look of confusion.

"He has to put up with snotty, obnoxious kids. Gotta give him props, I definitely couldn't do it." I shutter at the thought of standing alone in a room of young kids. That would be an absolute nightmare.

"Guess you're right," he laughs out. "But the sweaters don't do him any justice." By now we're both laughing as we pull into the airport parking lot. He stops at the booth and pays for the parking pass, then luckily finds a spot close to the entrance.

Grabbing our luggage, Ryder begins to rush to the check-in area. "Come on, we're going to be late!"

I roll my eyes, still taking my time. "The plane doesn't leave until noon, and it's nine in the morning." I guess he's one of those people who insists on being at the gate hours before boarding starts. "I think we're fine on time."

"Whatever," he yells back to me, "I'm not missing this flight." With that, he's gone, lost inside the building somewhere. He won't get too far, though, since I have the boarding passes in my carry on bag.

As if reading my mind, he exits through the doors just as I get to them. "You have the passes," he remarks with a defeated look. I simply nod my head with a laugh, then make my way to the check-in.

The plane finally took off after a half-hour delay, which earned some arguments from Ryder to anyone who would listen. One poor flight attendant got an earful, and I genuinely think we're lucky she didn't kick us off the flight. He got so heated that I felt the need to apologize to her anytime she walked past us during the flight.

A couple of hours in, and Ryder fell asleep on my shoulder, which became excruciatingly uncomfortable quick. I tried to push him off of me, which just pissed him off and woke him up.

"Just let me sleep," he grumbles.

"You wouldn't be tired if you didn't wake up at such an ungodly hour. I mean, was six in the morning seriously necessary?" In reply he nods grumpily, rolling over as much as he can in the small airplane seat.

I hear someone giggle. Looking across the aisle, I see an older lady looking at us in amusement. Noticing me staring, she says, "so sorry for eavesdropping, but you two are just two adorable. How long have you been married?" At that, I just start laughing, and Ryder shoots up, completely awake now.

"We're not-" he stutters out in shock.

"We're not married, he's just my boyfriend." I finish for him, still laughing.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry dear," the woman says. "I just heard you all arguing, and it reminded me of my husband and I when we first got married. You two clearly love each other, though. Take it from an old lady who's loved her husband for over fifty years." She finishes with a sweet smile, then turns back to her book.

"You may annoy the living shit out of me," Ryder says sitting up more comfortably, "but she's right. I do love you."

"I bet you do," I reply with a smirk. "I love you."

"If you did, you'd let me sleep." What a grump ass. Now I definitely refuse to let him.

"Nope, if I'm awake, you're awake." I see his expression turn even more grumpy, if that was even possible.

"Then go to sleep."

"I can't sleep on planes." Ryder groans at my statement, but pulls out his phone.

"Fine, if I'm awake, you're paying for WiFi so I can watch Netflix," he states while rolling his eyes.

I grab his phone, shoving it into my bag situated between my feet. "No way, we're talking instead. I need more preparation."

"Are you nervous to meet my parents?" This time he's smirking, and it's pissing me off. "You are, aren't you?" Now he's holding back laughter, upsetting me even more.

"Fine, I am!" I nearly shout, but contain myself remembering our surroundings. I look around, thankful when I see nobody bothered by my outburst. "I'm not good with parents."

"But you're good with people," he says reassuring me while intertwining our fingers. "Just imagine them as regular people, not my parents."

"I guess I can try," I murmur as I see the seatbelt light flash. The captain makes his announcement about the plane landing soon, and the nerves start to form all over again.

—————

Hey guys! Sorry AGAIN about the couple of days wait. I haven't had a chance to write with it being Labor Day weekend and all. Saturday my hubby and I bought a house! Then we took a friend a couple of hours away to buy a car. We didn't get back until 1 AM, then had to be back up at 6 to go to IFO, which was another 2 hour trip, which we took on the bike. Now I'm terribly sunburnt and exhausted lol.

IFO was fun though. It's Import Face-Off, a giant car thing, like a meet/show, drag races, burnout contests, all the car shit. We enjoyed ourselves so the ride and sunburns were well worth it.

Alright, story time over! Vote if you liked it, and tell me what you think so far in the comments! We passed 150 reads! Thank you all so much ❤️