Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Just as I’m getting off the line with one of those calls, my personal phone vibrates with an incoming call from my dad, which immediately gets my attention because he’s called exactly once since his wedding, just to let me know he and Belinda were back from their honeymoon.
I told him during that call that I was going to be living in Vegas for a while, and though he asked several questions about my job, he only made vague comments along the lines of “we’ll have to get together sometime soon.” I haven’t been holding my breath.
“Hey, Dad. What’s up?”
“Alex.” His tone is stern, and I immediately go on alert as I get a quick flashback to getting in trouble when I was a child.
“Yes?”
“Do you have a minute to talk?” A little voice in my head warns me to say no, but then I’d be filled with curiosity for the rest of the day, even though I’m pretty sure I’m not about to get a dinner invitation.
When I tell him I have time, he launches in with vague phrases that immediately make my stomach sink to the floor. “I was afraid this would happen. I warned you. They’re bad news, Alex. Bad.”
I push back both my irritation and dread. “Dad, we’ve talked about this. I know you don’t like them, but you don’t really know them. They’re not kids anymore.”
His heated tone grows colder, which is somehow even worse. “I know enough, Alex. I know you left your stable, successful boyfriend and are now messing around with two men.”
I get the impression that it’s hard for him to say the part about there being two men, and I’m relieved that he doesn’t know it’s actually three.
“You’re not a kid anymore either, Alex. This is real life.”
“I’m well aware, Dad.” Even as I say it, I question my words. I haven’t exactly been treating this like real life, have I?
“Don’t you want to get married, Alex? Have children? Are you even thinking about your future?”
I start to interrupt to remind him that my biological clock is not exactly on its last hour, but he keeps going. “All this is to say nothing about your career. How do you think things will go when your boss finds out that her wedding planner, the one she hired to help engaged couples celebrate their marriage, is not only unmarried, but involved in a polyamorous relationship? You’re thumbing your nose at the whole institution of marriage.”
This is rich, getting a lecture on marriage from my dad. There are so many things I could say, and maybe if I wasn’t at work, I might share a few select thoughts, reminding him of the many ways he’s disrespected the sacred vows of marriage, but I’m holding back tears, and keeping a level tone right now would be impossible.
“Life isn’t all fun and games, Alex. Your actions matter.” He lowers his tone, signaling that his diatribe is coming to an end. “Stop and think about what you’re doing.”
I’m shaking when I manage to say, “Thanks for your input, Dad. Bye.”
With the back of my chair turned to the door of my office, I blot my eyes with a tissue and hope no one comes in before I can pull myself back together.
After all this time, my father’s opinion shouldn’t matter so much, and maybe it doesn’t. It’s more the fact that what he’s saying is right in line with the concerns my mom voiced when she was here, and my own worries about what Kai and Thorn’s parents would think if they knew what was going on.
Even though I’ve been having the time of my life, I have to admit that I have my own discomfort with this unconventional relationship, for a couple of the same reasons my dad pointed out.
My stomach sinks further, down to basement level. How did my dad know about me and Kai and Gage? It’s highly unlikely that my mom told him, considering she hasn’t spoken to him in years. If he knows, anyone and everyone might know.
My skin goes ice cold at the implications, and I’m about to head to the restroom, or maybe even back to my room, to have a more private meltdown, when my phone rings again. Surely, my dad has said everything he needed to say. I’m about to reject the call when the name catches my eye.
It’s not my dad. It’s Scott.
I haven’t heard from him since he sent the ridiculously pompous text several weeks ago, saying he was willing to consider us getting back together.
I should have blocked him, but right now, he seems like the perfect place to vent the anger that I wasn’t able to direct at my dad.
As soon as he spouts more nonsense, he’s going to get an earful from me.
Except that’s not how the call goes.