Gem in the Rough

Chapter 35

"So, Kieran. How did you meet my daughter?"

Kieran is seated next to me, across the table from my dad, his right hand on my left thigh underneath the table in a comforting grip.

"We actually met at the Tech office. I'm one of the techs there."

"I guess I should expect that you met her at work since she's always working," my dad laughs, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. He's being extra irksome right now.

"Yeah, that's her. Always working hard at the Tech office and with tutoring," Kieran nods and takes a sip of his milk, "But we've been trying to have a little more fun lately too."

My dad's eyebrow lifts as he starts cutting a piece of chicken on his plate that goes with his pasta. "Yeah, a little fun doesn't hurt." His eye moves to me briefly and goes back to his food when he sees my accusing eyes.

"Really? I've never heard that from you before." I can't help but blurt out. I feel Kieran's hand squeeze my thigh briefly.

"Well, people can change, sweetie."

I scoff and roll my eyes this time. I take a bite of my food in annoyance, getting more irritated when I taste how good it is.

The rest of the dinner goes like this; small talk between the two men in my life with an occasional smart-ass comment from me. My dad is acting like this is normal and that he isn't pissed that I started seeing someone who encourages me to have fun. Someone that brings my focus away from "work, school, repeat". Away from his impossible expectations.

After cleaning up dinner, we all sit in the living room. My dad is on his chair across from the couch where Kieran and I settle down, a short brown coffee table in between us. I place my water bottle on the table and cough, unsure of how to start this conversation.

Kieran spoke to me briefly when my dad was in the kitchen, giving me a pep talk.

"So, dad. I need to talk to you about something..." I trail off, my eyes refusing to meet his.

"Oh my god, are you pregnant? Fuck, Gemma!"

That escalated pretty damn quickly.

His eyes are wide when I look up, his face growing red. I try to talk but he just continues. "I knew this would happen the second that you started dating someone. They would take your focus, your drive. How are you supposed to finish school with a baby?"

"Dad, I-"

"I can't believe this," he huffs, standing up and beginning to pace. His hands run through his short hair in frustration. "And you," he points at Kieran whose eyes are focused, unbothered, "what the hell did you do to my daughter?"

Before he can go any further, I stand tall and guard Kieran from my dad.

"Stop, dad. Now."

I hear him mutter something under his breath when he turns away from me, something about Bethany telling him he needs to calm down and breathe. Who the hell is Bethany?

"I'm not pregnant, dad."

"Are you sure? Because the last time I had this conversation with someone it was a disaster!" He yells and I gasp, tears prickling my eyes. So much for him breathing and calming down.

"Yeah, because mom got pregnant and you ended up with the dud twin, right?" I shout at him.

Kieran rises beside me, a hand on my lower back. I give him a small nod to let him know I'm fine. Our silent language has become incredibly advanced in such a short time.