There’s no way the man who talks me down from anxiety attacks, drives hours in the middle of the night to help me, laughs at my dad jokes, and gives love so freely has a father likethis.
What disgusts me even more is that nobody will speak up. Instead, a laugh track from some terrible sitcom rings out every time Theo Gray speaks, desperate to kiss the asshole’s ass. Ellen Gray hides behind her wine glass, and Keaton Gray, the brother I found out existed today, keeps opening his mouth as if he wants to speak up, but can’t bring himself to.
Theo is smart enough to not be cruel to Kenneth around Nan or Karla, but he doesn’t know me.
I love all of Kenneth’s smiles so much. All of them except this one. The one he has plastered on tonight makes me sick to my stomach. It’s tight and forced, letting the comments roll off his back when he deserves to rage and scream.
When he pulled me aside to warn me about his dad, I knew tonight would be rough, but I didn’t expect this. I vehemently disagreed when he asked me not to react to a single thing Theo says about him.
Honestly, I’m proud of myself for already letting two of Theo’s passive-aggressive comments past me without clawing at him for hurting Kenneth.
But once he hits three strikes, he’s out.
“It’s about time,” Theo says, holding his champagne flute in the air. “You all know Ellen and I spentwaytoo much money on Kenneth’s swimming career. Thousands of dollars over the years. Private lessons, competitive swim team fees and meets, and an endless amount of gear. We’re so glad he made our money and time worth it. Finally, a return on our investment.”
The room breaks out in another loud laugh, and I flinch. My heart splinters into a million pieces as Kenneth’s grip on the stem of his champagne flute tightens, that fake smile pulling at his lips. The reins on my control slip as another piece of him breaks away, shattered by the words of the man who is supposed to love him.
Strike three, Theo.
“Why would you say that?”
Every eye in the room jumps to me, but I keep my eyes trained on the man with cold, green eyes. When Kenneth wraps his hand around my elbow, I shake my head. I’m not going to back down. This was supposed to be Kenneth’s night. A night to honor his accomplishments, yet Theo has done everything in his power to tear his own son down at every turn.
“Is there a problem, dear?” Theo asks, his voice lifted as if we’re sharing an inside joke. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Yeah, you did. The whole purpose of this party is to celebrate Kenneth’s win, and that’s not what’s happening here. For the last three years I have watched Kenneth fight to get where he is today. I know he appreciates every dollar you spent in his pursuit of swimming, but to equate all his hard work to being something he owed you in return for your sacrifice is low.”
Ellen chokes loudly on her wine, and Theo’s cleft chin finally drops for the first time all night. He doesn’t look so powerful now with his mouth gaping like a fish. Rendering a narcissistic asshole into silence isn’t easy, but I’ve successfully done so.
“Now if you’ll excuse us, I have a National Champion to celebrate.”
Without another word, I grab Kenneth’s hand and pull him out of the dining room and toward the kitchen, where I know Nan, Karla, and a bottle of champagne await us. When I turn back to see the dirty looks being shot my way, all I see is him. Green eyes, so soft and kind, crinkled at the edges. The smile that I’d do anything to see is aimed at me. Genuine, a little lopsided, and absolutely perfect.
Thisis Kenneth.
The true epitome of joy.
Blades of dewy grass scrunch beneath my heels as I walk toward the dock. The wind whistles through the trees to welcome me back to Lake Anita.
The lake looks even prettier as the moonlight illuminates the dark surface and casts a comfortable glow over us. Our legs dangle over the dock’s edge, and the twinkling lights add to the allure of the night. I’m so happy to be back here.
“Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?” he asks, looking over the lake.
“Nope,” I say, but while his eyes are on nature, mine are on him, taking in every inch of the man beside me.
His light blue button-up clings to his broad shoulders and is tucked into jeans, because of course Kenneth would wear denim to an important party. His sleeves are rolled to his elbow. I’m sure that before today,I’ve never found forearms attractive. And here I am, ogling his. Red hair flops lazily across his forehead and it takes everything in me to not run my fingers through it.
Maybe I went a little further than providing a buffer tonight, but nobody will treat Kenneth that way while I’m around.
The surprises hidden in my bag sit heavily on my lap. I’m a gift bag kind of girl. Wrapping paper brings on full-blown freak-outs over jagged lines and wonky corners, but for Kenneth, I tried.
Embarrassingly hard.
Friendsget each other gifts.Friendscelebrate each other.This is totally normal, I try to convince myself, but my shaky hands disagree.
“Has your dad always been like that?” I ask, putting aside the surprise for now.
“Yup. He loves to say terrible things under the guise of humor. Even as a kid, he never hesitated to hurt me. Swimming was my way of taking control back. I assumed that when I was in the water, I was in charge, and tonight reminded me I’ve never been in control. He wrote the checks, waiting for me to pay off a debt I didn’t even know about.” Kenneth pauses to swallow. “Theo Gray eventually always gets what he wants.”
