I stifle a giggle, unsure if he was a fan of such occasions, although we have catered a few.
“What?” He looks affronted when my brothers and Scott laugh, especially when the latter makes a guffaw noise.
“A baby shower, really? They’re just an excuse for people to get extra gifts and to show all of their friends on social media how great their life is, even if it is going to shit behind the scenes.”
His final comment silences everyone, except for Mase. “I take your point and respect your opinion.”
Dec and I exchange a glance knowing that he probably doesn’t respect his opinion and there is abuton the way.
“But…”
Dec and I smile at each other now.
“Neither Liv nor I are big on social media and even if we were, our life would be great, on there and behind the scenes.”
Scott shakes his head, unbothered by Mase getting huffy and in fairness to him, his words weren’t really directed at Liv and Mase, of that, I am sure.
“Oh, and we don’t need anyone to buy things for our child, now or in the future.”
“That’s a no to the baby shower then,” says Dec with a huge, cheeky grin.
Everyone laughs, even Mase.
We’re onto dessert when my dad can hold it in no more and addresses the subject of me and Dec. “You two, are together then, seeing each other?”
I nod and smile.
Dec smiles too. “Yes, very much together.”
“And how long has this been going on?” Dad sounds a little terse now.
I could kiss Dec now as he looks to me, deferring to me, allowing me to dictate the information being shared with my family, and I suspect he’s happy to let me lie and say we are new, if that’s what I want. I don’t want that.
“It’s been a few months. Quite a few months. We started talking when Mase and Liv got engaged.”
Dec looks hot under the collar at my reference to that meeting, and we did talk even if it was mainly Dec and his dirty talk.
“What?” Dad is raising his voice and drawing some attention from nearby diners. “Is he the one that was sending you home in the previous night’s clothes at all hours.”
I am shocked at just how angry he is about us being together at all, but his tone at the memory of my walk of shame brings out his most severe annoyance. I feel Dec stiffen beside me and know he is pissed off, possibly more because it wasn’t him.
“No, I was not the one sending her home at all hours,” Dec snaps. “She said we started talking then, not that we started sleeping together.”
My dad is now a very strange shade of red and my mum looks awkward. I see Liv nudge Mase as if encouraging him to say or do something. He shakes his head and seems to have no intention of involving himself. My brothers look between my boyfriend and my dad as they bat the conversation back and forth. Scott looks down into his lap and shakes his head, if only to himself.
“It took us a little while to realise we were serious about each other, but as Cupc— Anita,” he corrects himself. “As Anita said, we have been involved for a few months.”
My dad, who is being a bit of a dick now, rolls his eyes then looks around the table. “I assume you two knew.” He points at Liv and Mase.
They nod, making no apologies or anything else.
Dad looks around the table again. “Anybody else?”
My brothers and mum shake their heads while Scott says nothing.
“Scott?” Dad is now on his feet, and I swear he’s about to lose his shit.
“Leave me out of it,” Scott replies. “She is an adult. They both are, so let them make adult decisions.”
