Hostile(72)

“If you need me before that, call.” I narrow my eyes, letting him know I’m dead serious.

He only grins and kisses the tip of my nose. “My big, strong protector.”

“Fuck you,” I laugh with a wave of my middle finger, and he leaves with a chuckle.

He’s going to talk to his dad today, and all I can do is hope he won’t break my favorite person.

No matter what, though, even if he tries, I’ll be there to put him back together, just like he’s done for me.





FORTY-NINE





I have to do this.

No matter how intolerant my mother was when I told her, I know I still need to face my father. I need to do this for me.

He’s expecting me. He sent a text, and we set up a time to meet at the house. So I know he knows, even though he didn’t say anything. I wish they didn’t, but my hands shake as I make my way inside the house and upstairs to his office. He’s there, waiting for me in his chair and nods to the one across his desk for me to sit down.

I do. Neither of us say anything. We just stare at each other as I wait for whatever horrible thing he’s going to say. For him to berate me and try to drag me down. But I won’t let him. I promised Rhett I wouldn’t let him do that to me.

He clears his throat and sits up a little straighter. “Your mother told me your news.”

News. I nearly roll my eyes, but I resist. “I’m gay.”

He doesn’t make any sort of face. His features don’t flinch at all, in fact. “Yes. That. And you’re with someone.”

I nod, even though it wasn’t really a question. “Yes. I’m in love with him.”

He studies me, and my skin heats as I wait anxiously for his response. “And you want to quit school.”

I force myself to straighten my spine and look him in the eye. “I do.”

“What are you plans exactly?”

My brow furrows—my face not nearly as robotic as my fathers. “I want to go to college here. Live with Rhett, get a degree I actually care about.”

“Business.”

I shake my head. “I want to do something with meaning. I . . .” Don’t really have a plan. And he knows it too.

“Would you be willing to take business courses here until you find what you want to do?”

Holy shit, that was an actual question. Not a demand. I sit frozen for a while because for as long as I can remember, he’s always told me what I was going to do. Never asked. “I could. Yes. As long as I can take some art courses too.”

His right eye twitches with disdain, but to his credit, he doesn’t say anything negative. “And this boy?”

“Man.”

He huffs but corrects himself. “This man, Rhett . . . What are his plans for the future?”

Is this really happening? Are we having a civil conversation? “He’s a gifted tattoo artist.” My father grimaces, but I continue, feeling the need to stand up for Rhett even though I shouldn’t have to. “He’s amazing at what he does, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he had his own shop someday. His father has a lucrative business of his own.”

That, of course, has his approval, and he dips his chin in a quick nod. “He’s already working?”

“He’s an apprentice, but yes, he works. He works hard.”

“Good.”

Holy. Shit. I think I’m in the Twilight Zone. I’m almost sure of it. “You don’t care that he’s a man?”

My entire body thrums with nerves, but I need to know. I need him to know I won’t change, no matter what. “Why would I care who you sleep with? As long as you’re going to school and you’re with someone who’s also disciplined, I couldn’t care less if they’re male or female.”

He says it so matter-of-factly, like it’s no big deal. And I feel a sourness in my stomach because I thought it would be. I thought he’d disown me. I didn’t have Rhett this whole time because I didn’t think I could. And I could have.

I wasted time being afraid.

“I love him.”

He’s flippant about that, waving his hand in the air, pushing it away. “Fine. Good. I don’t need details, just like I wouldn’t if you were with a woman.”

“Mom . . .”

Again he waves it away. “Your mother is dramatic. She should have known I wouldn’t give a fuck. Honestly, it’s probably better this way because I know you won’t get someone pregnant.”

I wince, hating that. But it’s very much like my father. “So, you’re fine with me going to school here?”

He sits back in his chair with a huff. “It’s not what I wanted, but it’s better than you completely dropping out. Apply, and I’ll send the check.”

I nod my head, dumbly. “Okay.”

“Fine.” He grabs his phone. “You can go.”

I stand up to grab some things from my room before leaving the house in bewilderment. It wasn’t perfect, not even close. But it was better than all the horrible things I imagined.

I go back to Rhett’s and unpack my things—he made me a key the day after I finally told him I loved him. He told me this is as much my place as it is his. I plan to kick in for rent. But the idea of living with Rhett is far too good to pass up. There was no way I was going to say no.