Page 33 of When You Left Me Speechless

My dad turns back to the table, “Oh my apologies, ladies. Logan, that is Claire.” He gestures toward the blonde sitting next to my half-brother. “And this,” he grabs the hand of the brunette sitting next to him, “is Emma.” His eyes rake over her, and it’s clear the brunette is my father’s most recent fling.

“Emily, silly,” she corrects, “my name is Emily.”

He only laughs and takes a large sip of his wine. This isn’t my first experience with my dad and his girlfriends. I know Emily will be replaced by someone new next week, and I will never see her again, but it is taking everything in me not to react to him fucking up her name.

“It’s nice to meet you both.”

The waiter stops by, and I order a double scotch on the rocks because it’s quickly becoming apparent the only way I will get through this meal is with a very strong drink. I think back to my conversation with Poppy before leaving work on Friday.Why suffer through dinner with him?Maybe she was right.

“So Jacob, how is school?” my dad asks.

My brother looks up from his phone. “Sorry, law school doesn’t wait.” He shakes his phone as if to gesture that whatever he’s doing on there is incredibly pressing. If I had to guess, he’s probably scrolling through some dating app. His fingers swipe left and right a couple more times before he sets it down on the table.

Fucking douchebag.

My dad offers him a nod and a proud smile.

“Now, Dad, I don’t want to bore my brother and the girls with torts. It’s probably above their heads.” He lets out a condescending scoff. “Tell me, Logan, how is coloring with small children going for you these days?”

My dad laughs. My hands ball into fists under the table as I try to suppress my frustration. I want to get up and tell them all to fuck off, but I don’t move. I will leave when it’s unbearable, but I won’t give them the privilege of some type of dramatic reaction.

“I’m not an art teacher, Jake. I’m interviewing for the assistant principal position.” I go back to looking at my menu.

My dad shakes his head. “Why you picked to work with children, I will never understand. Actually, you and Amelia here,” he lifts his glass toward the brunette, “have something in common. She’s in school to become a teacher just like you. Tell me, darling, how many men are in your classes? Can’t be very many, seeing as education has always been a woman’s profession.”

She doesn’t answer him, but I have never seen anyone look so uncomfortable in their life, and that’s the final straw. Ihonestly could probably stay a little longer if it were just my dad and me, but the continuous disrespect of the two women at the table has me thinking the dinner is officially unbearable and over.

“Ladies, it was nice meeting you. Dad and Jacob, always a pleasure.” I remove my napkin and place it on the table.

“You're leaving, but we haven’t even ordered yet. I have something I need to discuss with you. Come on, grow a thicker skin, Son.”

“Happy birthday, Dad.” I down my scotch in one gulp and throw cash on the table to cover my drink. “Oh, and her name is Emily, for Christ's sake. If you can’t remember, maybe go see a fucking doctor.”

She offers me a thankful look and I walk away as casually as possible. I’m not going to give them the pleasure of hearing me try to defend myself against them or of seeing me riled up, but I know I don’t have to sit there and listen to their bullshit any longer. I make a mental note to thank Poppy as I leave the restaurant.

CHAPTER 21: MR. HOTTIE MCHOTTERSON

POPPY

“It was so nice getting to meet you,” Margaret, the director of rehab and Lacey’s boss, says, shaking my hand. “I will be in touch soon.”

“Yes, thanks so much for meeting with us,” Chloe, the speech therapist, adds.

“No, thank you. Both of you. I’m looking forward to talking to you again soon.” I offer them both a wave and head out of the building. I walk to my car and take a moment to let the sun warm my skin.

Lacey: How did it go?

Poppy: Ahhh! It went so good, Lace! They made it seem like they were going to offer it soon! >

Lacey: That’s what I’m hearing! We should celebrate! Come to dinner with us on Thursday? You can meet the rest of the team.

Poppy: I don’t know. I don’t want to jinx it.

Lacey: I know Margaret wants to decide soon, so I bet you’ll know before Thursday night!

Poppy: Okay, then I’ll wait for the good news, but if I get it, I will be at dinner for sure. See you later!

Lacey: Yeah, I’ll be home around 6! Proud of you, Poppy, and I can’t wait to work with you! >

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