Page 60 of The Torment of Two

Dad’s gaze softens and he reaches across his desk to take my hand. “I’m so happy, Son. There’s something different about you lately. Did you meet someone? A girl? A guy?”

“Not into guys,” I say with a grunt. “No offense.”

Dad chuckles. “None taken. So it’s a girl then?”

Guilt churns in my gut as I avoid his probing stare. “Just my project partner.”

“Who’s a girl?” Dad asks, lifting his brows.

“Yeah, uh, Golden’s a girl.”

“Golden,” Dad says, frowning. “What an unusual name.”

“Yup.”

“When do we get to meet her?”

I stiffen and then jerk my hand away from his to run my fingers through my messy hair. “Um, she’s shy. Yeah. Really shy. Doubt she’ll want to meet you.”

Hurt crosses over his features and I feel like a dick for putting it there.

“Are you sure it’s not just you being embarrassed of us?” Dad asks, wincing slightly. “Me and Pops will be on our best behavior. I promise.”

“I’m not embarrassed of you guys,” I grumble, not meeting his stare. “It’s just…awkward.”

Not a total lie.

“Well, when you’re ready, we’ll be thrilled to meet her.”

“Sure,” I mutter. Then I change the subject away from Gemma. “Tate’s really cool. Drives an older model Jeep, so he appreciates a classic. He brings me coffee for each session. Butterscotch lattes.”

Dad’s eyes twinkle with happiness. “I’m so glad we switched you to him. I can already tell a difference in your mood. For a while there, you had me and Pops really worried. Dax too. You’re still taking your medicine properly, right?”

It’s times like this I feel like a kid again.

“Yeah, Dad. I’m all good.” I stand up and stretch. “I need to get going. Meeting Golden to work on our project.”

Dad also stands and comes over to me. He hugs me tight, nearly crushing my ribs. “I love you, sweet boy. So damn much.”

Emotion balls up in my throat and my eyes sting as I hug my dad back. Tate wanted me to imagine a scenario where my dads meet Gemma. Well, that’s a horrible thought. The look of betrayal on my parents’ faces would be too much to bear.

And they’d feel so betrayed.

I’m knowingly carrying on this sordid affair with the little girl they wanted to adopt. It would be heartbreaking for them on so many levels.

Finally, I manage to leave the shop and Dad without cracking under the weight of my guilt. On the way back to my car, I find some missed texts.

Golden: I’m at HH. Paula made extra for dinner and invited us. Meet me in Alexander’s office when you get here.

All the awkwardness fades away as I anticipate seeing Gemma again. Talk about a rollercoaster for my emotions. Another text I missed is from Dax.

Dax: Mom is being SO overbearing, man. I know you’re like not in any rush, but I think I’m going to get my own place after the semester is over. We could be roomies.

Dax: Don’t make me beg.

Dax: I bet we can rent a house with a shed or something so you can do your dollhouse shit.

I respond back to Dax first.

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