Silence. The four of us are silent, staring from one person to another. I could lie, I could make up a story, but the truth is, I have feelings for Lindsey and I don't want to hurt him by saying the wrong thing.
So, bravely, I face my father. "Lindsey and I are seeing each other."
"Excuse me?" His gaze shifts from me to Lindsey and back to me, then his eyes settle on Melanie. "And you knew? You didn't tell me?"
"Well, I didn't know for sure. It was just a guess." Melanie stands up and goes to my Dad, but he pushes her away as soon as she tries to touch him. "I'm sorry, Jerry. I didn't want to upset anyone."
"Bullshit!" I shout at her. "And you know it. Ever since the day you came into our lives, you do nothing but manipulate and try to get in between me and my father. You know exactly what you're doing."
"Don't talk to her like that, Stevie." My father says and I'm about to explode, how freaking blind is he?
"You've never heard how she talks to me." I point at Melanie. "Although, you did hear her claims how I fuck every guy that comes my way, I might even have some disease."
"That was uncalled for." Dad agrees, giving Melanie a look. "And you." He narrows his eyes at Lindsey. "What the hell, seriously? Do you know how old Stevie is?"
"Sir, I-"
"Don't." I cut in. "Who cares about the age difference? Don't you want me to be with someone who cares about me? Who treats me right?"
"I care that you're with a man, who's much older than you." Dad emphasizes. "He used you, didn't he? Did you drug her or something?" His focus is back on Lindsey.
"I did not do any such thing." Lindsey defends himself, shaking his head. "I didn't plan on this to happen. I came here for a job. I met Stevie. Did I think she's beautiful? Of course, because she is. But I told her that this could go horribly for the both of us. I tried to push her away."
"That's true." I nod my head, backing him up. "And I insisted. I liked him, so I let him know. And no, I did not open my legs for him immediately. I realized that I wanted to get to know Lindsey first and we started dating. Yes, that's right. This is a lot serious than you think." I add, seeing my father opening his mouth. "Lindsey is different from everyone I know. He's not a boy, he's not only interested in sex. When I need someone, he's there for me. When I've got to deal with that bitch you call your fiancee, he's there for me."
"I thought, I-"
I don't care, we're already fighting. "Oh, and did you know your innocent sweet Melanie is not so innocent?" I gave her a look and she shoots one right back at me. "She's been fucking her personal trainer for months, Daddy. Did you know that?"
Now all of his attention is on Melanie. She's already going into her actress mode, placing her hands on my father's face, fake tears in her eyes. "She hates me, Jerry. It's not true, honey! She wants us to have a falling out, to break us up!"
I laugh harshly, shaking my head. "You are so oblivious, father. Can't you tell Melanie is with you for your money? She loves the things you buy for her, the vacations you take her on, but she doesn't love you. Of course, she won't admit it, but Todd will talk. I'm sure."
"Is this true?" My Dad asks Melanie and she shakes her head, putting her hands together.
"No, no it isn't! I love you, baby!"
We all grow quiet once more. By the look on my father's face, I can tell he's trying to process what's just happened. His voice is much calmer when he speaks up again.
"I am going to talk to Todd." He says, then turns to me. "I don't support your relationship." He uses air quotes for the last word. "I don't understand it and I think you-" He points at Lindsey. "- are a creep. Can't you find a woman your age? Stevie's just a girl!"
"I'm not a girl!" I yell, feeling like I'm about to tear my hair out. "My God, Dad! And I'm not going to stop seeing Lindsey, just because you don't approve."
"You won't?" He asks and it sounds like a challenge. I shake my head. "Then I suggest you pack your things and leave my house."
"It's my fault. I lied, I did pursue Stevie. She is young and immature, I took advantage of that." Lindsey tries to make things better, but it doesn't work.
"No, you didn't." I say. "I know what you're tying to do here, Linds. Don't. If my father insists on being a jerk, I don't want to live here anymore."
I catch a smirk on Melanie's face.
"And you are fired." Dad adds, saying to Lindsey, before he storms out.
