finding you

sixty seven

Rhys is gone and I wait at least another 15 minutes before making my way upstairs. I don't know what my dad has to do today, but for both our sakes, I hope he's got somewhere to go. I really do not want to have this inquisition with him, and he will ask questions.

I make my up to the main floor hoping and praying my dad isn't sitting at the counter just waiting for me. I feel quick relief when I see that he isn't but when I turn the corner, I see that he's sitting at the dining table, instead, waiting for me. Absolutely, great. Perfect.

I almost jump on the spot when I see him. "Uh, morning, pops!" I smile. Maybe, if I act like everything is normal, he won't even say anything. "Any coffee left?"

"I thought you already had your coffee," he replies casually. 

Oh, shit. Here we go.

"Uh, yeah. I didn't know he was coming over. Was that weird?" I ask. I don't know why, but I'm kind of nervous to have this talk with him. Well, obviously, Theo. He hasn't ever experienced you having a boyfriend. 

He suddenly chuckles lightly. "It's okay, honey. I like the boy. He seems very nice. I just had no idea you two were getting so close." His hands are wrapped tightly around his mug of coffee. He takes a moment to slowly take a sip before looking  back at me again. "Are you dating him?"

I cringe. Ugh, this is too uncomfortable for me right now. Suddenly, a thought comes to me. What if Rhys said something to my dad? Oh God.

"Did he say something to you or something? What did you talk about?" 

"What do you think he told me?" he challenges, chuckling. He takes another sip of coffee. Hm, he's much too cavalier about all of this. Perhaps Rhys didn't actually say anything.

"I don't know." I hesitate, and after a moment of contemplating, I decide to result to honesty. "I like him, Dad."

He studies me then; just watching me as if we just started some kind of staring contest. I will not blink, not until he responds to me.

"Well, I can see that," he says finally after a minute. "And he you."

"You can see that?"

"Honey, I could see it all over the boy's face when he was here last time," he laughs.

Oh.

He laughs again. "Now, pour yourself another cup of coffee and sit down with me. We'll talk about it."

I groan. Noooo. But I do as he says. I sit down next to him and stare into my coffee cup rather than up at him.

"So," he starts. He clears his throat, but I think he's just being awkward about all of this. "When did you start seeing him? Because I highly doubt it a couple weeks ago."

"A few days after I got here, I guess. I don't know. Please don't be weird about it. We're more friends than anything," I try to make it sound as harmless as possible without straight up lying to the man. He just looks at me for a moment before nodding.

"I guess I would just like to know him better. I haven't heard the best of things when it comes to that family."

"They've all been through a lot. Rhys is by far the sanest," I assure him. "He was never close with his brother."

"Mhm." Oh no. He doesn't sound convinced.

"He's nice to me, Dad."

"I'm sure he is a gentleman."

I sigh. "Do you trust me?"

He regards me for a moment before answering. "Yes, I do." He pauses, and I know from the look he is giving me he has more to say on the subject. "But if you were to ask me if I trust him? I can't say I do. I don't know the boy, and most kids his age aren't the most reliable."