Read Deep Surrendering: Episode Seven for Free Online Page A

understand. But I would like to meet your parents someday.” I didn’t know if that was going to happen. I didn’t even know if we were really together. This was singlehandedly the most confusing relationship I’d ever been in. I was just waiting for the day when I’d know what the hell was going on with us.
    “We’ll see,” I said. I still hadn’t told Fin about my mother’s issues and my suspicions. I knew it was wrong to hide or keep secrets from him when he’d finally been so open and honest with me. I didn’t even really know why I was trying to hide it from him in the first place.
    I gave Carl directions, and Fin and I ate our lunches (which turned out to be grilled sandwiches and fries) as we rode. I wasn’t sure how much to say in front of Carl, so I didn’t ask Fin how he was doing.
    “So, um, how long are you planning to be in Boston?” My eyes flicked to Carl, but he just kept humming to himself.
    “I don’t know. It’s still up in the air.” I wasn’t sure if I liked the sound of that. His father must be going absolutely ballistic by now. I didn’t know how far he’d go to get his son back under his control. Would he send someone to physically bring Fin back? That would be kidnapping, but who knows? He was a man with unlimited resources at his disposal. Who knows what he’s capable of?
    “Okay,” I said, and went back to my sandwich.
    “I’m figuring some things out right now. A lot of things.”
    “I know.” And we were silent again.
    My stomach dropped when we pulled into my parents’ driveway. I really wished Fin wasn’t with me. The cars were all here, so my parents were definitely home. This was trés inconvenient.
    “I’ll be right back,” I said, wiping my mouth and hoping I didn’t have anything stuck in my teeth. There really wasn’t a whole lot of time for this, so I’d have to be in and out if I was going to make it back before my next class. He nodded and sat back in his seat as Carl opened the door for me.
    “What are you doing out here?” I turned slowly, hoping it was something from my imagination and not my mother’s voice I was hearing.
    Nope, there she was, standing in the doorway and staring right at Fin in the car, and then me, and then Carl and then back at Fin.
    “I’m just here to get the check. I have to run, Mom.” I dashed up the steps and tried to shut the door, but she wouldn’t let me.
    “That’s Fin Herald, isn’t it? He looks just like his father,” she said, and her voice took on a soft, almost dreamy quality. I tried to ignore it because I really didn’t want to know.
    “Do you have the check for me?” I asked, trying to block her view of Fin.
    But she wasn’t paying attention to me, and then my dad joined her.
    “What are you doing with the door open? You’re letting in the heat,” he said, and then he saw me and then the car.
    “What’s going on?” He was as confused as I was.
    “Fin gave me a ride, and I just came to get the check for the charity dinner and then I have to get back. I have class.” I almost wanted to snap my fingers in front of their faces because neither of them were hearing a word I was saying. My mother was staring at Fin like . . . well . . . and Dad was looking at him with a mixture of distaste and veiled curiosity.
    There was no getting away until he’d at least said hello. Not unless I ran back to the car, jumped in and told Carl to step on it. I nodded to Fin and he got out of the car and walked toward us.
    Guess I couldn’t avoid the introduction any longer.
    “I’m sorry to barge in like this, but I’ve been wanting to meet you for a while. I’m Fintan Herald,” he said, extending his hand to my father first.
    “Fintan,” Dad said as he shook Fin’s hand. “And your father would be Laurent Herald?”
    “Yes,” Fin said, his voice clipped before he turned to my mother and gave her a little bow.
    “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Everly. I’ve heard so many lovely things about you from