“Sweetheart,” Dom starts.
“You haven’t been dismissed, young lady,” Alice tells me sternly. “Sit down.”
I bristle at the sharp order. Panic starts to fill my chest. I don’t know what to do.
“Mama!” Dom says loudly. I flinch, tugging my hand from Dom’s. I take a step back from the table, not knowing what to do or say but I’m not sure I can make myself sit at that table.
Something wet nudges my other hand and Abraxas forces his face into my hand. I focus on Abraxas and use that to steady my breathing.
“Let’s just everyone stay calm,” John interferes. “Will you please sit, Rory?” John asks, calmly.
I stand there for a moment before slowly sitting back down. Abraxas follows me and I pat him to keep my hands distracted.
Every part of me is telling me to get out. Unknown situation plus unknown reactions equals never fucking good.
The way Alice’s looking at me puts me on edge.
Sitting puts me at a disadvantage.
I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t knowhowto do this.
“I am in a relationship with Rory,” Dominic announces. “But so is Alec, Luc, Jace, Mason and Maverick.”
Alice flinches, taken back. Her mouth opens and shuts several times before she settles on, “No.”
“Yes,” Dom says, irritation irking his voice.
“It’s unholy,” Alice shoots back.
That’s what she’s going with? Ah, shit. Dom’s parents are from southern America. Well, John’s originally from Australia but Alice isn’t. For all I know, they’re probablyreligious. I know that’s probably stereotyping but Alec’s words confirm it.
“The bible also says a relationship or marriage has to be a man and a woman. You didn’t have a problem when you thought he was with me,” Alec tells Dom’s mother.
“That’s different. You’re still two people. Gender is irrelevant.” Alice waves her hand.
John stays silent as Dom and his mother go back and forth.
“Mama. Dad. I’m not thirteen,” Dom tells them, “I’m not asking for your permission to date someone. Rory is in a relationship with all of us and it works for us. I’m sorry but whatyou wantis irrelevant.”
Alice gapes, her hand flying to her chest.
“Dominic,” John says sternly. “Your lifestyle choices are your own, but do not disrespect me or your mother.”
“Dad, I’m not disrespecting you or Mum. I’m telling you that this doesn’t have to be a big deal. Regardless of what it looks like, it’s a committed relationship between Rory and us.” Dom interlaces our fingers, resting our hands on the table.
Alice looks at them like she could catch something.
I try to help. “I know you’re worried for Dom, but I have friends in a polygamous relationship and so far it—“
“So it’s you making this call,” Alice cuts me off.
Fuck, I shouldn’t have said anything.
“Uh…no. That’s not what—I, um…” When my stuttering doesn’t produce anything, I fall silent.
“Rory didn’t force me into this, Mama,” Dom says, disgusted. “There are many cultures where polygamous relationships are normal. Helen and Devon are fine with it—not that it’s important that they are.”
“I don’t care about other cultures or whatever nonsense Helen and Devon have told you. This is not normal,” Alice tells Dom sharply.
