If I could only hear what they’re talking about.
No, we’re not trying to eavesdrop now. Forget it.
Ugh, fine.
Ryan’s talking, and my dad scrapes a hand over his face as if he’s trying to wash away this whole conversation. Then he places his arms behind his back and grips one wrist with the other hand.
Uh-oh. I immediately flinch and hiss through my teeth.
This is not good. This is my dad going from being irritated to being pissed.
I’ve seen this version several times over the years every time I broke something or didn’t listen.
Ryan’s demeanor doesn’t change, so he’s either oblivious to the shift or he’s ignoring it. He takes a deep breath, his chest expanding against his shirt before he releases it again.
Whatever Ryan says next must be more to my dad’s liking since the grip on his arm loosens. A few seconds later, my dad throws his hands up in an “I give up” gesture and walks away.
Ryan closes his eyes and pinches his lips together.
He looks so different when he’s frustrated. It’s a side of him I don’t know.
Is this how he’ll react when I tell him I’m pregnant?
If I tell him who my dad is after he just had this argument with him, and they’ve been butting heads for a while, Ryan will kick me out of the house.
And my dad will kick him to the curb.
Ryan needs my dad, and I need Ryan to know he’s going to be a father and to tell me what part he wants to play in all of this.
If he’s going to be an ass about the pregnancy, I can tell him who my dad is. If he wants to be a part of this journey, I’ll wait until I tell him. At least until things settle down between them.
It’s not ideal, but it’s the best I can come up with.
Ryan’s car comes to life with a rumble.
Oh crap. He’s leaving.
What am I going to do now?
Shit, shit, shit.
You have to follow him.
Like a freaking stalker?
Damn it.
I don’t see any other way because I’m definitely not risking talking to him here again after what just happened.
So when he drives out of the parking lot, I do too.
Of course, I leave a few cars between us like they always do in TV shows, holding on to the steering wheel with a death grip.
After a short drive, he turns into a driveway in a beautiful upscale neighborhood.
My breathing is quick and shallow. I had no idea stalking someone would be this stressful.
I pull over on the side of the road and put the car in park.