Falling

29

Carson Hughes

As I was leaving the Taylor's house that evening, I was stopped by Jeff outside in the driveway.

"Hey Carson," he said as he walked out of the open garage door. I stopped and turned to face him. Jeff stopped in front of me, his lips pressed tightly together as he seemed to be debating something in his mind.

"Hi Jeff," I said to break the silence. He stood straighter, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at me.

There was a tension in the air that I couldn't quite place. I had never felt this way with Jeff before. It felt like I was his child and he was about to chastise me. Jeff was like a father to me, but never in this way.

"I talked to Vinny last night, well early this morning," Jeff started. Somehow I knew exactly what this had to be about and I wasn't looking forward to the conversation about to be had. "Do you know what this is about?"

"Yeah," I sighed. "I have a pretty good idea."

"So know I'm not angry with you and that I'm not going to go all protective dad mode on you," Jeff replied, appearing to relax a bit which did nothing to ease my own nerves.

But there was nothing I could do other than stand there and listen to what Jeff had to say. Even if I'd rather be swallowed whole by a hole in the earth than go through this conversation with my boyfriend's father.

"You know Vinny's, uh, he's a little sensitive. And moody," Jeff continued, talking slowly as if carefully choosing his words. "And you're a lot more... out there than he is. With your social life and friends and stuff like that."

The conversation hadn't taken off in the direction I had thought it would, but I still felt as thought I knew where it was going. He wanted to make sure I wasn't going to hurt his son, much like how Logan reacted when he found out. I couldn't really blame him for it.

"I get it, Jeff," I said with a nod. "You want to make sure I'm aware of how Vinny is and that I won't hurt him. I already know and I won't."

"That wasn't what I was going to say," Jeff replied, pressing his lips tightly together for a moment. "I know you won't hurt him. I'm not worried about that."

I sent him a look of confusion. I had no idea what else he could possibly have to say to me about my relationship with Vinny that was making him act this way.

Jeff's expression looked guilty and I nodded, urging him to continue.

"I'm more worried about him hurting you," Jeff admitted.

I could barely believe the words even as they processes in my mind. It was like he blindsided me and left me winded at those words. Never would I have ever expected Jeff to be worried for my sake over Vinny's.

"What do you mean?" I asked him, trying not to snap at him. I couldn't explain the annoyance I felt at what Jeff had said.

"I'm just saying you need to be careful," he replied. "Vinny won't mean it but he has an edge to him that might end up with you being hurt."

I didn't say anything, still feeling uncomfortable with the conversation we were having.

"Or maybe I'm also saying you should reconsider."

"What?" I hissed. The blazing anger I felt at that moment was an emotion I never felt with Jeff and it left me wondering if I had even heard him correctly.

"It's not too late for you to back out with little damage done," Jeff responded, holding his arms out as if he was presenting a grand idea. "You're not too invested at this point."