Defend

“I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t want to drink at all, but there were like ten people around me, shoving beers in my face and yelling, ‘Drink! Drink! Drink!’. I was the only one without a beer. I didn’t know how to get out of it.”

Poor Gregory was in a tough spot. I’d probably would’ve done the same thing he did, except the calling my parents part. When Brent doesn’t respond, Gregory keeps talking.

“I thought about calling Kayla, but she would’ve taken me either to your house or Mom’s, so I figured I might as well call you.”

“I’m glad you called me, son,” Brent says. “People’s judgment slips at parties and if you don’t believe me, ask your mother where she was when she got pregnant with Kayla.”

“God, Dad, I didn’t need to know that,” Gregory groans.

“Me either,” I complain.

Brent laughs. “So, how about you skip parties from now on?”

“Yes, sir,” Gregory quietly agrees. When we get home, he must think things are better because he asks, “How’d the double date go? Did you know Dad was nervous, Jamie?”

I grin and glance at Brent. “You were nervous?”

“No. And it went fine until I got the call to pick up my buzzed son.” He gives a pointed look to Gregory. “How about you take a shower and go to bed?”

Gregory looks as if he wants to argue, but Brent points toward the stairs and he thinks better of it. Brent stretches his legs out, rests his head against the back of the couch, and folds his hands over his stomach with a sigh.

“You okay?” I ask, reaching over and resting one of my hands on top of his.

“Yeah. Trying to decide if he should be grounded or if telling him that tidbit about his mother was enough punishment.” Brent turns his head to look at me. “He did call me and he wasn’t drunk, so that’s a plus for him. He hasn’t done this before as far as I know.”

“Sounds like you want to let him off the hook.”

“No, not exactly. I’d just rather talk to him than ground him. Hey, are we going tomorrow? Have you decided?”

“Yes, we’re going. We’ll need to leave here at about four.” I still think it’ll be a disaster, but Mom will be happy we went and Brent can see exactly what my parents are like.

Brent and I ran for an extra fifteen minutes this morning because I insisted I needed to run a bit longer. Now, he’s talking to Gregory about last night and I’m downstairs about to start breakfast after taking a shower. Just as I grab what I need for pancakes, there’s a knock on the front door. Is he expecting someone?

I walk through the house and open the front door. Oh, great. “Hello, Kayla. I didn’t realize you were coming.”

Her eyes narrow. “My dad invited me over for breakfast. Are you going to let me in?”

“Oh, of course. Sorry.” I step aside and wonder why Brent didn’t give me a heads-up. “Ah, Brent’s upstairs with Gregory. I was about to start cooking.” I close the door and walk into the kitchen, not really caring if she follows me or not.

She does follow me, though.

Kayla sits at the table and her stare burns into me while I move around and start breakfast. “You know your way around already.”

I keep my eyes on my task. She technically didn’t ask a question, but I answer her anyway. “Yeah, Brent invites me over a few times a week. Are you excited about the cruise?” I ask.

“I guess,” she says in such a way that I know she’d be much happier if I wasn’t going. “How exactly did it happen that you’re going?”

“Brent said it’s his trip because it’s for his birthday and he wants me to go. He kept asking until I agreed as long as you and Gregory said it’s okay.” She opens her mouth and I say, “And don’t worry, I’ve already paid him in full for my part of the trip.” Her mouth closes.

“I just think it’s too soon for you two to go on a big trip together.”

“I didn’t think I raised a hypocrite,” Brent says as he walks into the room, Gregory right behind him. Brent comes to my side and takes over cooking. “I do believe it didn’t take all that long before my little girl moved in with Logan. I also believe that in the end, I was supportive of your decision.” He doesn’t give Kayla time to respond at all. “Where’s Logan?”

“His niece wanted to see him this morning, so he’s over there,” she answers. “Mom’s pissed that you aren’t going to the wedding.”

Brent shrugs. “Went to the dinner, don’t need to go to the wedding. We’re on good enough terms; I don’t need to go to her wedding to prove it. Besides, we all know that there are some who’d rather Jamie not be there, so it’s better I don’t go and bring tension with me.”

My eyes bug a little at hearing him be so blunt about why we aren’t going. I reach over and pinch his side, but he ignores me. Neither Kayla nor Gregory respond to what he said either. He lets the silence stew for about a minute before he asks Kayla how things are going in school and with her and Logan. I help him make eggs once the sausage and pancakes are nearly done.