I look at the carpet. I don’t remember my grandma at all.
“I wasn’t a lonely child, so I didn’t realise you were.”
“How could you have thought I was happy?”
“We gave you everything. You went to the best school in the country.”
“The best boarding school. I spent most of my childhood there, including holidays and Christmas. How could I have been anything but lonely?” My throat is raw.
Dad shrugs and looks anywhere but at me.
“I needed you and Mum. I needed my parents. You weren’t there for me. All you’ve ever done is demand that I be exactly like you. Why would I want that when you were the worst role model I could have had?”
“You’re not making this easy.”
“Should I?”
He sucks in a breath. “No. I suppose not.”
I wipe my hands over my face. “I’m sorry. You’re not the perfect dad, but I’m also not the perfect son. I rebelled. I slacked off and threw parties and annoyed the neighbours. But I’m trying to be better and do better. I believe you can too.”
Dad stands and crosses to the bay window. “You want to be a chef?”
“Yes. I’m looking into getting a summer job in a kitchen so I can get some work experience.”
“In London?”
“Here.”
His lips tug down. “Ah. Well, let me know if you need anything. If you came home, I could get you some work experience at one of the top restaurants in London.”
“I know you could, but I want to stay here.”
He frowns. “Why? What’s here that isn’t in London?”
I take a deep breath as my gaze tracks up to the ceiling. I shouldn’t have to hide how I feel about Casey and Emory. I won’t. “Emory and Casey.”
His frown deepens. “Your tutor and study partner?”
“They’re more than that. They’re my boyfriends.”
He widens his eyes and shapes his mouth into an O.
“We’re in a polyamorous relationship. A triad, to be precise. We’re happy. I love them. They love me.”
Dad turns his back on me. I clench my hands together. What is he thinking?
Eventually, he turns around. “Are they here?”
“Upstairs.”
“They spent the night here?”
“Yes. They sleep here quite a bit. I also sleep with them in their flat.”
“In the same bed?”
I bite back a sarcastic comment. “Yes.”
