Morgan made sure to show me around Tennessee like it was his job. I'd came accustomed to the interior of his truck, finding the passenger seat comforting. I wasn't complaining- I was absolutely smitten with the scenery. Rolling hills, cows grazing, red barns and endless greenery, despite the incoming winter. It was quiet- almost unnervingly. The kind of quiet that left you alone with your thoughts, whether you liked it or not.

I rested my chin on my hand, watching the amber glow of the late afternoon soften the edges of the horizon. The windows were down, at my request. The chill wind whipped through my hair, stinging my cheeks and nose. I was bundled in one of Morgan's winter coats- Tennessee fall was a little more wet and a lot cooler- and I definitely did not have the wardrobe for it.

"You alright over there?" Morgan asks. I flinch at the sudden break in silence, glancing over my shoulder. His hand hung over the steering wheel casually, his eyebrow raised. "Yeah," I say with a half-smile, turning back to the window. "Just... admiring the scenery."

I wasn't used to this type of beauty- the slow and quiet. The thought of slowing down felt foreign. I hadn't decided if I liked it, or it just made me feel out of place.

The truck slowed down as we turned onto a gravel driveway. I sat up straighter, combing my hair down with my fingers. The house was quaint with a pale green porch and a flowerbed near the steps. "Where are we?"

Morgan pulls the keys from the ignition, turning to me with a smile. "Home."

My pulse quickens- "No."

"Yes," Morgan's smile has pulled even wider. "Morgan, no," I whine, rolling the window up as I rant, "I don't even know your middle name and you want me to meet your parents?"

"It's fine, they'll love you." He opens the door, slipping out of the truck as I rub my temples. This is nuts.

My door pops open and Morgan stands there with a grin. "It's Cole, by the way."

The front door swings open as I reach the stop of the short staircase. I fully believe that my clunky foot brace alarmed them that there were people here. A honey blonde woman steps out, a flour-dusted apron tied around her waist. Her face lights up when she sees Morgan, pulling him into a hug. "Hi, my boy!"

"Hi, Momma." His voice is soft and warm, and it brings a smile to my face. When she pulls away, she looks me over once before smiling. "Hi! And who might you be?"

I push a strand hair back, "I'm Juliette." I offer a hand, but she pushes it aside and pulls me in for a hug. It's surprising, but I don't turn it down. It's comforting, despite me not knowing this woman in the slightest.

"It's nice to meet you, sweetheart. I'm Lesli, Morgan's mom. C'mon inside, don't want yall catchin' a cold out here." She leads us through the door and into the house- it smells like cinnamon and warms me down to my bones. The living room is cozy, filled with mismatched furniture and family photos lining the walls.

A man with Morgan's smile sits in a recliner, watching a football game between a bright orange and red teams. "Who's playing?" Morgan asks, plopping down on the couch. "Georgia. They're up by 7, but I don't think that'll last long."

I watch as a player in an orange jersey tackles one in red before his dad claps loudly. Lesli's hand rests on my arm, "Juliette, would you mind helpin' me in the kitchen? I need the table set."

I smile shyly with a nod. She leads me into a pale blue kitchen that smells of roasted veggies and something sweet. "Just grab some plates in the cupboard, sweetie."

I search for the plates, trying to shake off the nerves that won't seem to go away. I'm hyper aware of how awkward I look, opening different cabinets, hoping the plates will show. I'm also hyper aware of Morgan, who's eyes are glued to me despite the cheers from his father when their team scores. After a moment, he strolls into the kitchen with a casual smirk. "Need any help, sweetie?" His voice is velvet and smooth, and I can feel the blush creeping up my neck. "N-No, I'm fine."

He steps closer, his arms crossed over his chest. "You sure? You look like you could use someone to... guide you through it." The slow, teasing in his voice makes my stomach flip as he reaches around me to open the cupboard and grab four plates.

He puts them in my hands, watching for a reaction. I don't meet his eyes- Lesli steps in, "Morgan, leave the poor girl alone. Don't go makin' her all nervous. Go sit down." His eyes gleam mischievously, "Yes ma'am." His voice lowers as he taps my hand with his finger, "I'll just wait for my chance to help you later." With that, Morgan steps away, his eyes finally leaving mine as he retreats back to the living room.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Lesli laughs, carrying a pot to the table. "Don't mind him," she says warmly, lifting the lid. "He likes to tease, but he's a good boy." I set the plates down, trying to smile, but it feels more forced than it should.

Once we're all settled at the table, Lesli fills my plate with food and my glass with sweet tea. I try to relax, but sitting down around a table feels foreign. It's like I'm playing pretend- like I'm not supposed to be here.

"So, Juliette," Tommy starts, his voice gruff but warm, "what brings you to town? I can tell you ain't from around here."

A simple question, but I'm not used to such, especially not from people who are looking at me like I matter. I shift as I force myself to answer, "I just... needed a change of scenery. California was becoming a little too..." I trail off, unsure of how I wanted to end that sentence. Heavy? Stuffy? Annoying? Miserable?

"California," Lesli parrots, taking a sip of her tea. "Wow, it must be so different around here for you. Where are you stayin'?"

My eyes dart to Morgan, my stomach fluttering at the thought of answering. "She's stayin' with me," he says without skipping a beat, raising his eyebrows with a grin. Lesli looks at me with a knowing grin, her lips curving into a smile. "That's sweet, I'm glad Morgan brought you over."

I smile awkwardly, worried that we're giving the wrong idea. "It's... it's not like that," I say quickly, but it's too late. Lesi and Tommy are sharing knowing looks, and the atmosphere shifts. Morgan leans back in his chair, smirking. "It's not like that, Momma," he repeats, but the gleam in his eye tells me he's enjoying this. "I wouldn't even say we're friends. Just... people who know and slightly tolerate each other who happen to stay in the same house."

Tommy grins, amused as he glances between Morgan and I. "No, I get it, son. Just two people who slightly tolerate each other who just so happen to stay in the same house." He gives Morgan a knowing look, but Morgan just shrugs, a satisfied smile on his lips.

Lesli leans forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Well, I'm glad he's got you around. He's been off traveling a lot and I'm happy to see him with someone. Even if you are just someone who slightly tolerates him," her voice trails off at the end, a teasing tone laced in her words. I laugh nervously, shifting under the thick tension. "It's really not like that," I repeat, hoping this conversation will end soon.

This only makes her smile widen- "Of course, sweetheart. Not like that."

Morgan leans in, a single eyebrow raised. "You do know you're only makin' it worse, right?" I offer a weak smile- it can't get any more uncomfortable than it already is.

Tommy swallows, wiping his mouth with a napkin, "So, what do you do, Juliette?"

I was so, very wrong.

He sets his fork down, giving me his full attention. I have to physically stop myself from hanging my head in embarrassment, "I, um... post... on social media." My voice trails off and I feel the heat rush to my cheeks. My job feels like such a joke sometimes, even if it is paying my bills and giving me great opportunities. It's such a first world job; I can't imagine how silly it sounds to his parents.

Tommy smiles anyways. "That's a big thing nowadays. You must have a lot of followers to have it as a career." His tone is honest and genuinely impressed. "A decent amount," I answer cheekily, bringing a fork of carrots to my mouth. "Decent?" Morgan scoffs, putting his fork down. "2.7 million is more than decent."

"Oh my," Lesli gasps, putting her glass down. "Well that's somethin'! You must be a real big thing in the city. I can't imagine having that many people watchin' me all the time."

Nothing about this evening has gone any way I wanted to. Although they seem impressed, all I can do is force a polite laugh and take another bite of m dinner before they can say anything else. Thankfully, Morgan brings up the game and the conversation shifts away from me all together.

The conversation is light as we finish dinner. After, Morgan's parents lead us to the door with smiles, their warmth almost enough to make me forget how out of place I felt earlier.

"Thank you for comin', Juliette. It was lovely havin' you. Come back anytime," Lesli says, pulling me in for another hug. I don't tense up as much this time.

"Thank you for dinner," I say softly, unsure of how to thank them for their hospitality without sounding too weird. Tommy gives me a small wave as I step off the porch and I reciprocate it, a giving the older man a small smile.

I pull the borrowed jacket around myself tighter, not caring that it smelled faintly of Morgan. The late October air was crisp, burning my nose. The Wallen's house fades in the rearview mirror as Morgan drives away, his eyes flickering to me. "You alright?"

I offer a quick smile that doesn't feel natural. "Yeah," I say, my eyes glued to the night sky. The stars are so much more visible here compared to Los Angeles. "Just a little full."

"Yeah, it was good," he replies, his tone light, but I can tell he isn't buying it. "But y'know, you're actin' a little weird."

I shoot him a defensive look, shrugging. "I don't know. It was just... a lot. Being the center of attention and all that about us..."

He laughs softly, moving his hand from the steering wheel to rest casually on the back of my neck. "They were just raisin' you a little. 't's how they are." I don't answer- I just watch as the night sky passes, the array of stars dotted across the milky blue canvas.

We finally stop at a small ice cream shop, where Morgan looks at me seriously. "I know this might be a little much for you, but you are gonna be the center of attention when you order."

I roll my eyes, popping the truck door open and climbing out. When I walk up to the counter, I order a scoop of rocky road. Morgan leans against the counter, watching me. "You sure you're alright? You seem tense tonight."

His voice was gentle, but there was a serious underlying tone. "I'm fine," I answer tightly, taking my cone from the worker. "Just... not used to so much... family."

Morgan takes a spoonful of his own dessert- a cup of strawberry- before chuckling. "They mean well. You'll get used to 'em." We sit at a table outside, the cold evening air making us shiver into our jackets.

"I'm not like that," I sigh, internally cringing. "I don't just... get all weird around people." Morgan leans over, nudging me with his elbow. "Don't be so modest. 2.7 million followers and you're actin' like you've never been in front of a crowd before."

My face flushes, and I subconsciously glance around. There were a few people straggling, but the last thing I wanted was to be see with a scoop of ice cream and a guy I barely know. "Stop." I try to sound casual, but it came out more of a hiss.

His smile softens, but there was still a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I ain't makin' it any worse, you are. Relax." I was going in for a bite of my cone, when I heard the whispers first. I heard Morgans name, and then I saw the phones.

"Shit."

On autopilot, I reach up and pull the hood of his jacket over my head. Morgan follows my gaze, his expression immediately hardening. He sighs in frustration as he rises to his feet, grabbing my arm. "C'mon."