“I think I do,” I said.
He said, “I don’t want you to go.”
I said, “And that’s why I have to.”
“Sam.”
“Stay here,” I told him. “Listen to my mother. She will keep you safe for now.”
I pulled away, and Ryan let me go.
I didn’t look back as I fled.
My lightning-struck heart thundered in my chest.
I never asked what they spoke about.
TWO DAYS later, my dad said, “I like getting drunk with you,” the noise of the tavern rolling all around us.
I grinned at him, knocking our beers together. “And I like getting drunk with you.” Though, I wasn’t anywhere near as drunk as he was. Apparently, the stout he’d been slamming back was pretty strong.
“I’m so glad we had you,” he said, his smile a little sloppy. “So glad you’re what came out of me and your mom.”
“Dad. Gross. What the hell.”
“Right, right. Sorry. You know I don’t drink very often.”
“You’re such a lightweight.”
He scowled at me. “I am not. I’m a big man. A huge man! That’s what your mother says.”
“Dad!”
He grimaced. “Sorry, sorry. It’s the beer.”
“Yeah, maybe no more beer for you.”
“You touch my beer, I’ll make sure Kevin is your new dad.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me, spawn of my loins.”
I didn’t touch his beer.
“Now,” he said. “Man-to-man talk.”
I took a long drink because I needed it for whatever was going to come out of his mouth. “All right,” I said after I’d drained my mug and signaled for a refill. “Hit me.”
“You love Ryan.”
Wow. “You sure didn’t ease into that one.”
His nose wrinkled in disgust. “I mention Ryan and you talking about easing into things? Sam, there are some things a father should never know.”
“Oh my gods.”
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” he said. “You know I don’t care who or what you ease into, as long as it’s consenting.”