Ah, she doesn't like me. She seems okay, a bit of a hypocrite. She knew what my dad was when she slept with him. One was being married, the other was being the boss. She got him to give up both of those things, leaving my mom a fucking mess. Although the way hers and Dad's relationship was, it's a good thing they're apart. Mom sees that she was betrayed and is raging mad. It's why I've not been to see her in a couple of weeks, the conversation always turns to Dad, and I'm done with hearing about it.
"Don't know yet. Is there a time limit on my stay?" Even though my tone’s even, and I'm smiling, I'm pissed.
"Of course not," Tina tells me, her eyes wide, I think there’s a hint of terror in them.
"Son I'm not trying to get rid of you, you have your own house and a business. I was just wondering how long you were staying." Damn, he's eager to get rid of me, and I'm wondering if it's him or Tina.
Mia snorts, "So, Lacey and I have our own place, you've not asked how long we're staying."
"Mia!" Tina reprimands, but it's too late, we're all laughing.
"What?" Mia looks innocent, like she has no idea what was wrong with what she said.
"Mia, this is a conversation between Harrison and Hudson."
I watch in amusement as Mia looks around the table, "Oops, my bad. I thought it was a family discussion, you know, with it being at the dinner table and all."
Tina's eyes narrow, "Mia...." She warns, "We'll discuss this later."
"Discuss what?" Dad asks his jaw clenching as he looks between a visibly shaken Mia and a wide-eyed Tina. I too would like to know what the hell is going on.
"Watch out Harrison. Mom may regret marrying you too soon." Mia snarls, fuck, I'm going to kill whoever upset her.
"Mia!" Tina exclaims. "Stop, we'll talk about it later."
Mia rolls her eyes and stands from the table, "I don't want to discuss it, Mom, you've said what you wanted, just leave it." Mia looks pissed.
"You took what I said the wrong way." Tina stares at her daughter in despair.
Mia shakes her head, "It's what you said Mom, there was no other way to take it." Tears are in her eyes as she walks out of the kitchen, leaving all of us wondering what the hell just happened.
Lacey throws her napkin onto the table and pushes her chair from out under the table, "I'll go." She shakes her head at Tina, fuck how do I not know what the hell happened?
"Lacey..." Tina begins, but Lacey shakes her head.
"Mrs. Brady, I respect you a lot. You're like a second mom to me, and that's why I'm not going to say anything right now." Lacey walks toward the door. Once she gets there she turns and faces us, "I have to say this…” She says, and I want to laugh, she needs to make up her mind.
“Mia's been through a lot, she's lost her dad, and she's hurt because you never told her you were dating or that you were getting married. I was surprised that she wanted to come here this summer, she wasn't planning to, especially when she found out about your marriage. But what you said to her," She shakes her head in disgust, "You hurt her more than anything." She walks out of the dining room without another word.
I want to get up and go after her, but I need to find out what the hell just happened.
"Tina, what's wrong?" I don't think I've ever heard my dad sound so... soft. "What did Mia take the wrong way?"
Tina begins to weep softly, and Dad's beside her within seconds. "Tina, it can't be that bad..."
"She hates me." She weeps, "I need to talk to her." She tells my dad as she stands and pushes past him and rushes out of the room.
Dad sighs as he turns back to the table, "Jagger, Barney, would you give us a minute?"
I sit back in my chair and cross my arms as I wait for the guys to vacate the room.
"Son..." He begins as he reaches for his bottle of beer. "What the hell are you playing at?"
My nostrils flare, "Dad...." I say through clenched teeth, "What the fuck are you talking about?"
He shakes his head. "The business is yours," he says as if that's supposed to appease me. "I'm talking about this shit you're doing with Mia. Christ, are you fucking crazy?"
I'm on my feet within seconds, "What I do is none of your business." How fucking dare he?