Page 141 of Not Another Yesterday
“Ran?” his dad says.
I nudge him. His eyes snap to mine, wide for a second, then I nod toward Frank.
Ronan’s eyes turn to his dad. “Uh, sorry. What?”
Frank’s brow creases.
“What is going on with you two tonight?” my mom asks, like she’s just now noticing how quiet we’ve been. Her gaze moves from me to Ronan, sharp and assessing. “You’ve both been unusually quiet. Is everything alright?”
Suddenly, the entire table is watching us.
Ronan’s hand finds mine under the table, squeezing tight, grounding. He inhales deeply.
“Sorry, guys,” he says. “I don’t want to ruin your evening, but… we need to tell you something.”
His eyes flick to his grandma, whose face softens almost imperceptibly. You’d only catch it if you already knew she knows. But Ronan does. And whatever quiet message passes between them, it’s enough. I feel him square his shoulders beside me, like her silent encouragement just injected him with the courage he needed.
He looks at me first, then around the table. Everyone watches him, quiet and waiting.
Ronan draws another breath. Steady. Solid.
“Cat is pregnant.”
I’m holding his hand so tight I’m probably cutting off his circulation, but I can’t let go. Not now.
The reaction around the table is instantaneous and explosive.
My mom clasps her hands over her mouth to stifle her shocked cry. My dad jumps up from the table, his chair scraping against thehardwood floor. Frank literally drops his fork and knife, and Penny keeps whisperingoh my godsandholy shiton a loop.
Saoirse’s eyes sweep the room like a hawk, calculating which threat to monitor first, while Perry wears the quiet, knowing look of someone who’s been here before.
“You’re joking, right?” my dad bellows, leaning toward Ronan like he might lurch straight across the table and strangle him.
Ronan just shakes his head.
Not satisfied, my dad turns to me—eyes pleading, searching—like he’s still holding out hope this is all just some kind of bad joke. But whatever he sees on my face confirms the truth, and he reverts to glowering at Ronan, face red and seemingly steaming.
“Ran, what the fuck,” Frank growls. “Haven’t I always told you to be careful? How could you do this to Cat? You’re eighteen.Eighteen!” His voice rises as he gets to his feet.
Both Penny and Saoirse reach for him, a hand on each arm, like they’re bracing for whatever he might do next.
“You need to rein it in, son,” Perry says to Frank, calm but firm.
Frank stares at his dad, incredulous. “Are you serious, Dad?”
My own dad starts pacing in tight, angry circles. “Jesus Christ,” he barks, before stopping to press his palms to the table and glare at Ronan. “So what are you gonna do, son?” he asks, voice low and sharp. “I hope you don’t expect my daughter to drop out of college to raise your kid. You better be ready to step up! God damn it.”
Frank continues to pile on. “I can’t believe you weren’t more careful, Ran. I can’t believe you let this happen.”
“Bobby!” my mom cries, trying to cut through the chaos, but it’s too late. The room is a storm of angry voices and she’s only adding to the cacophony.
I hate it. I hate how they’re laying into Ronan while he just sits beside me, taking it, his hand gripping mine like an anchor. Only, I’m not anchoring him. He’s anchoring me. All strength. All quiet, unrelenting support.
“Well, I hope you’re planning on asking Cat to marry you soon,” my dad roars, face flushed.
“The fuck he is, Bobby,” Frank says, turning sharply. “You’re not forcing them to get married just because they’re having a baby.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Frank? You’re okay with thesekidsbringing a baby into the world unmarried?”
