I blink at him. “It’s not—it won’t be that easy.”
He seems shocked at my answer. “Why not?”
“I’m in love with her.” The moment the words leave me, I know they’re true. I’m totally in love with Jensen. Yeah, our relationship has been down more than up, but I believe her. I believe in her. I believe in us.
I just need to talk to her, find out what she was doing, have her tell me she feels the same way. I’m sure she’s just as in love with me as I am with her.
Thinking like this probably makes me a fool. Right?
Well, fuck it. I’m a giant fool then.
“Please. You’re not in love with her,” he snaps. “You’re just pussy-whipped. You can find someone else easily, son. You’re a catch. Rich. Good looking. You come from a good family.”
Did he seriously just say that?”
“You’ve got it all,” he continues. “You just need to find a respectable girl who’ll understand her place in our family.”
Understand her place? Talk about barbaric.
“I don’t want anyone else,” I say firmly. “Only Jensen.”
He sighs and hangs his head, staring at his still clasped hands resting on the table. “Son, you don’t mean that.”
“Yeah, I actually do.” I study him, nerves making my stomach twist. I could tell him.
Tell him about Diane. And Park.
Tell him about his brother, and what he tried to do to Jensen.
There are so many things I could say that will change his perspective on…
Everything.
“Dad.” He lifts his head, his gaze meeting mine. “I have something to tell you too.”
We remain quiet for a moment, and I can see the silence, the not knowing, is already driving him insane.
“Go ahead,” he says. “Spit it out.”
Rhett
“Diane is having an affair.” I pause for a moment, trying to spill my secrets slowly so they’ll be less painful, but he speaks up before I can continue.
“I already know.” Dad shakes his head, suddenly looking weary. Older beyond his years. “She’s been having little affairs off and on for years. Just like I have.”
That he can let that slip so easily is mind blowing. “Yeah, but she’s been having a long affair with someone specific,” I say. “And it’s—”
“My brother. Yes, I know about that too, but they aren’t together anymore. Diane promised it was over.”
My mouth drops open. Holy shit, that was information I wasn’t expecting. “Diane’s having an affair with Uncle Craig?”
He appears taken aback at the surprise in my voice. “Isn’t that who you were going to tell me about?”
“No.” A ragged breath escapes me. “Dad, she’s been sleeping with Park for years.”
“What? Park?” His shoulders slump and he buries his face in his hands like a man facing utter defeat. “Are you sure?” he asks quietly.
“I didn’t know how to tell you, so I kept my mouth shut for a little while, but it kept eating at me. Since Addie’s dinner at Cheesecake Factory.” Dad lifts his head, his gaze meeting mine. “Remember when they argued and then they both took off? When I went looking for them? I found them outside behind the building, in each other’s arms. Kissing.”