Page 144

I give her a small smile, or at least I try, but won’t make her a promise I’m uncertain I can keep. It wouldn’t be the first time my father used violence on me, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I just hope it doesn’t come to that.
Once we’re standing on the threshold in front of him, I step forward ahead of the others, playing the role I was taught from an early age. I plaster a fake smile on my face and use my forced, cheerful voice. “Father, thank you so much for inviting us over. It’s a pleasure to see you, as always.”
I’m sure I hear Marcus snort beside me, but he’s quick to cover it with a cough. My father glances over at him, before dismissing him and turning back to me.
“Yes, thank you for coming. Please, come in, we’re going to my office.”
He stretches his arm wide, gesturing for us to go inside. I lead the way, following the familiar hallways of my childhood home, down the corridor we were rarely allowed in as kids.
Once we reach my father’s office, I stop beside the door, waiting for him to unlock it and go in first.
Father takes the seat behind his large desk, and I motion for Marcus and Indie to take the two chairs opposite. I walk to the side of the room and pull over the extra chair we keep there, sliding it so I can sit beside Indie.
I don’t even bother offering Miles a seat, knowing he’d much prefer to stand. I’m not surprised when I feel him hovering behind Indie, close enough to protect the three of us.
My father slowly casts his gaze over the four of us, his eyes lingering on where my hand is resting on my leg, still tightly clutching Indie’s. My chair is close enough to hers that our arms are touching, and I’m sure he’s noticed that too.
The silence seems to stretch on for a while, as my father continues his silent assessment, the tension growing thicker with each passing second. It’s not long before Marcus lets out an impatient huff. “Caleb, perhaps you’d like to tell us why you’ve called this meeting?”
He narrows his gaze at Marcus, a flash of annoyance clear to see, before he quickly hides it away once more. He looks over at me, his stare fixed as he scowls.
“I have known for a while that you’ve been living with this woman…Indie…without telling us, and I was prepared to turn a blind eye, for the time being. I was young once, so I know you don’t always want to inform your parents of your affairs. I was prepared to be lenient, but now there are rumours circulating, and we must put a stop to them.”
My heart is beating so loud there’s a whooshing noise in my ears, and I’m feeling dizzy. This is the conversation I’ve been dreading nearly my whole life, and now it’s here.
Why the hell didn’t I prepare? I knew it was coming, yet I’m going in blind with no preparation at all. What a fucking idiot I am.
“What rumours?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
My father’s face twists in disgust, and he looks like he might vomit as he tries to force the words from his lips. “There are rumours you are dating him.”
He points to Miles as he spits his name, and I’m shocked when I look over and see that Miles doesn’t seem to haveeven registered that his name was spoken. He’s completely still, barely blinking, while his face remains impassive.
He’s trying to block it all out. I’m sure the voices in his head are screaming for him to say something, to defend our love, but I asked him not to.
I may not have planned what to say to my father during this conversation, but I made it clear to both Indie and Miles that this is my story to tell, my shit to deal with. I’m the one who needs to deal with my father, my way, and my heart soars, knowing Miles is obeying my request.
I pull in a deep breath and let out a sigh as I pull my shoulders back to help me sit up straighter. I claw back as much confidence as I can while I force myself to make eye contact with my father.
“I am dating both Miles and Indie. More specifically, we’re all dating each other. I think the modern name for it is a triad, but we aren’t using labels. We’re all living together, we’re in love, and that will not change anytime soon.”
I say the words with such conviction that I feel almost proud, particularly when I look over and see both Indie and Miles smiling at me like I just made them insanely happy.
My father, on the other hand, looks like he just drank a carton of sour milk, his expression twisting into one of disgust, followed quickly by anger as his face turns an unhealthy shade of purple.
“You absolutely fucking will not date a man. I will disown you. No son of mine will be a fuckinggay,” he spits, his nose crinkling as he says the last word.
I shrug my shoulders as I keep my expression neutral, not at all bothered by his threats. “That’s not a problem then, as I’m not gay… I’m bi,” I tell him, very matter-of-fact.
He doesn’t appreciate me correcting him, and the vein on the side of his temple throbs as he balls his hands into fist, lookingfurious. “I don’t care what label you use, I won’t stand for it. She may not be the type of girl I’d choose for you, as you can do much better than a poor, downtrodden waitress, but at least she’s a fucking woman. I’ll allow you to continue to date her, but that’s the end of it.”
Miles growls beside me, and I feel his anger reflected in me when I hear my father talking shit about Indie. How Miles keeps his mouth closed is a miracle, but I’m grateful for it. I hate how Indie drops her head, sagging at the slur.
“Let me make things very clear for you, Father. I neither want, nor do I need, your permission to date either Miles or Indie. And if you insult my girlfriend again, you will regret it.
“I don’t give a shit if she’s rich or poor, if she’s a waitress or a doctor. She’s the kindest, sweetest, most loving woman I’ve ever met, and I consider myself the luckiest man on the planet that she’s chosen to love me,” I tell him, my voice not wavering in the slightest.
I look over to see Indie’s lips tipped up into the brightest smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and I slip my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into my side. I see Miles place his hand on her arm, giving her as much support as he can whilst maintaining his position.