Page 86 of Mutual Obsession (Rivals of Blackthorn #2)

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 have even 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 fucking gay ,” 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, looking furious.

“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.

My father continues to look at Indie like she’s shit on the bottom of his shoe, and I’m seriously considering if I can get away with stabbing my own father.

When he opens his mouth, I really hope he thinks about what he says, as he’s cutting it close already.

“As I said, you can keep… her …but I won’t allow you to date… him ,” he says through gritted teeth, snarling when he can’t even say their names.

I roll my eyes at his empty threat. “Look, we both know you can’t disown me. You don’t have another heir, so it’s just an empty threat, one that I won’t even think about taking seriously. I love Miles, and that won’t change.”

My father pales as he leans over his desk, no doubt to appear more menacing. “I don’t care. I will disown you and find a new heir.”

Before I get the chance to respond, Marcus clears his throat loudly, drawing our attention over to him, where he’s not even hiding the disapproving glare he’s aiming at my father.

“I feel now would be a good time for me to have my say on the matter, as I’m assuming that’s the reason you asked me to be here, is it not?”

My father nods. “Yes, it obviously concerns you. I’m sure you can appreciate the disgusting conflict of interests.”

Marcus waves my father away, like he didn’t say a word.

“Well, let me make my position clear, then. If you disown Jacob, I will burn the peace treaty and break all alliances with the Santoro family. With both Chloe and Jacob on my side, any war I wage will be over before it even begins, and you will stand no chance of winning.”

My father’s eyes grow wide as his mouth falls open, his words coming out as a stutter. “Y-you’d s-support…h-him?”

I look over at the man who has been one of my best friends for most of my life, despite the family rivalry we were raised as part of, and I see nothing but sincerity in his gaze.

I’m more shocked when Marcus breaks his cool mask of indifference to smirk at me, before turning his dangerous glare on my father.

“I will always support him, and Miles. They are my best friends, and they’re happier together with Indie than I’ve ever seen them.

As far as I’m concerned, you can either accept that they’re together and trust that Jacob will be a good leader for the Santoros, or you hand all power over to me, as I will only take it from you in a war you won’t win.

But you should know, I’ll only hand the power back to him in the end, so you may want to save us all the trouble,” Marcus retorts, sounding every bit as condescending as I expect from him.

Miles lets out a short laugh, not even bothering to hide it as he places his hand on my shoulder. My father’s eyes are still raging, but his face seems to sag with resignation as he realises he’s been backed into a corner.

“Fine, but I want to clarify that I don’t approve,” he says, almost petulantly.

I roll my eyes at him as I stand up. Not caring about the consequences, I grab hold of Miles and pull him against me, wrapping my arm around his waist. I press my lips to his in a passionate, albeit PG-13, kiss that makes my father’s head explode as Marcus grumbles beside us.

As I pull back, I give my father my best ‘I no longer give a shit what you think’ smirk. “Your opinion is noted, but I don’t care. I don’t need your approval, nor was I seeking it. I love both Indie and Miles, and I’m not bothered who knows it.”

Indie jumps up and quickly kisses me too, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispers as she pulls back, a bright smile lighting up her face.

Marcus stands too, shuffling awkwardly as he stares at my father. “Well, I think that covers everything, unless you have anything else you’d like to discuss?”

My father’s gaze narrows on Marcus once more. “Does Chloe know?”

Marcus narrowly avoids rolling his eyes as he tuts. “Of course, she does. She loves Indie and Miles, and she’s happy for them all. There’s a reason Jacob has remained sober for as long as he has, and it’s all because of these two people.

“I’m not asking you to accept them, but if you want your children to be part of your life, you will need to support the choices they’ve made. We will wait for you to make the first move.”

With that, Marcus sweeps us all out of the room, leaving my father alone in his office with his mouth wide open, a look of confusion written plainly across his face. He’s no doubt wondering how his carefully crafted plan went so very wrong.

As I walk through the hallways of my childhood home, this time holding the hands of the two people I love, all I can feel is relief that we no longer need to hide. This was my biggest hurdle, and I faced it, thanks to the people who love me and gave me strength.

I’m excited for the future we can have, knowing nothing can stand in our way if we face it together.