Page 84 of Topping the Jock
“I got it, thanks.”
“Suit yourself.” He took a sip of beer. “Why are you making enough for three people?”
Hello, nerves.
I had spent all day fretting over this moment. However, I was ready for my dad to know about Monty. Because I loved that silly moron more than I could even comprehend, and keeping a secret from my dad was eating me up way too much. Especially since I couldn’t use the excuse anymore that he was keeping a secret from me too. Thanksgiving was right around the corner, and I wanted Monty to join us for the holiday.
“Someone else will be joining us for dinner,” I said, feeling my face heat, and it had nothing to do with the meat cooking in front of me.
“The guy you’ve been seeing?” he asked. “You’re finally gonna introduce him to me?”
“Um.” I bit my bottom lip. “Yes.”
“What’s with the face?”
“What face?” I asked, meeting his slightly amused gaze.
“The one you’re making. You look like you’re about to walk to the noose.” Dad stood from the table and came over, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms. “Who is this guy?”
“You know him actually.”
Dad narrowed his eyes. “I do?”
“Yes.” I went over to the stove and checked the chicken. Baby red potatoes were baking in the oven, and the timer counted down the minutes left.
“Well, what time is Montgomery gonna be here?” he asked.
“I told him around six. He—” The words died in my throat, and I whipped my head around to gawk at my dad. “How did you know it was Monty?”
“Do you think I’m that dumb, Quinn? Give me more credit than that.” He scoffed and took another drink of beer. “I knew something was up when you kept asking me to go to the football games.”
“I couldn’t have just been interested in the game?”
“No,” he said without hesitation. “Since when have youeverliked football? I had suspicions earlier on in the season, but I really put two and two together once I met Montgomery a few weeks back. You two looked at each other like kids about to get in trouble. I would’ve laughed had I not been trying to process it.”
Hell,Iwas trying to process this conversation.
“So you knew I was with Monty?”
He nodded. “Gwen suspected too.”
“What? How?”
Dad shrugged. “All she said was that you two bickered like an old married couple. No need to look so scared, kiddo. It’s not against policy for teachers to date.”
“I know it’s not,” I said. “But it’s still a bit inappropriate to have a workplace romance.”
“And dating the dad of an employee isn’t?” He smiled when I didn’t have a response. “Unfurrow that brow and take the chicken out of the skillet. I think it’s about to burn.”
Shit. He was right.
I used the tongs to remove the chicken, placing the pieces on a plate. I had worried myself sick all day—for the past week actually—and there had been no need to. Dad didn’t seem mad or upset.
“Are you really okay with me and Monty being together? You had a few colorful things to say about him when you heard he moved back to town.”
Dad flicked his hand dismissively. “That was before I saw how happy you are. I might not understand how you could ever fall for your old high school bully, but who am I to judge?” He pointed at finger at me. “But if he breaks your heart, I’ll kick his ass.”
“Fair enough,” I said. However, I trusted Monty with my heart. I knew he wouldn’t break it.
