“When were you going to tell us?”
I look at my dad, hoping to see something to tell me it's all going to be okay, but all I see is fury. He looks outraged and betrayed, and I don't blame him. My own anger curdles like milk, spoiling until it turns to guilt that sits like lead in my stomach.
“When I figured everything out,” I say, keeping my voice carefully steady.
“Figured what out?” Savannah scoffs acidly, rolling her eyes at me. “There's nothing to figure out, Bo. You got me pregnant, you take responsibility. That's how it goes.”
I bite back the desire to shout at her to shut the fuck up, to kick her and her family out of my house. I also swallow what I want to say in response. This whole thing is a wreck, and I don't need to make it messier. I know that saying I think she's lying right to her face isn't a good look. With her parents here, and Mom and Dad as upset as they are, it'll only be seen as an excuse. I need to talk to them alone.
It's probably a better idea to get Oakley to explain everything to them—she’s always been better with words than I am—but I'm currently alone on the front lines. My only hope is getting my parents to end this conversation for now and telling them everything when we're alone.
“Thanks for your input, Savannah,” I say tightly, shooting her a glare. “There's plenty to figure out, and I think my parents and I should talk in private for a bit.”
Even if all I can manage is a few minutes alone, I might be able to get through to Mom. She's more level headed, even if she does look totally heartbroken right now.
“Why would you need to speak privately?” Savannah’s mom pipes up. She looks down her nose at me disdainfully, obviously finding me lacking. I want to hiss at her like a cornered cat. “We’re going to be family, there's no need to keep secrets amongst us. Although you've certainly shown your fondness for doing so.”
I ball my hands into fists on my lap and force out a laugh. It's the only thing I can do to stop myself from screaming.
“I think you've got the wrong idea, Mrs. Ward.” I keep my smile firmly in place, although it probably just looks like I'mbaring my teeth at her. “I have some things I need to discuss with my parents that don't concern any of you. And we're not going to befamily. Not ever.”
My spine straightens a little as I say that, and a bolt of pride shoots through me. I can almost imagine Kenzie cheering me on from the sidelines, proud of me for sticking up for myself.
“Excuse me?” her dad splutters, his round cheeks going ruddy with embarrassment. “How dare you speak that way to?—”
“With all due respect,” I say, cutting him off and hoping I’m being clear that they deservenothingfrom me. “I'm going to do exactly what Savannah said. I'm going to be responsible. I'll pay her child support, or if she'd rather not be involved in raising our child, I'll take full custody. But I will not, now or ever, have anything to do with your daughter, sir.”
The room goes silent, but it's not the kind of silence I expected. I planned for my parents to be proud of me, to back me up and send the Wards on their way, but when I look back at them, all I see is horror.
“Shut your mouth, boy.” Dad’s voice is so soft it’s almost silent, shaking with rage. “You wanted to play around, and you've gone and found out what the prize is. You think you can pay your way out? I won’t let you dishonor this family by fathering a bastard and leaving the mother of your child out in the cold? How fuckingdareyou?”
Everyone jumps when he slams a fist down on the table, and I drop my gaze to the floor, every ounce of fight draining from me. My mom lays a hand on his shoulder in a soothing gesture, and he takes a moment to settle himself before he continues speaking.
“You will do right by your child—and the mother of your child—whether you like it or not, son,” he says firmly.
The last bit of resistance left in me kicks up at hearing that, and I raise my head to meet his gaze. Images of a miserable lifeflash behind my eyes, a white picket fence and Savannah and I screaming at each other behind closed doors, a bitter marriage and an even more bitter divorce. It's the thought of losing Kenzie that makes me speak up, though, circumstances be damned.
If I can't have a moment alone to talk to my parents, then I'll say it all right now.
“She's not pregnant,” I blurt.
I don't look away from my father, but I can see Savannah’s posture shift subtly out of the corner of my eye. Something about it looks off. She should be pissed at the accusation, but she just seems nervous, and it gives me the courage to keep trying to talk sense into my shell shocked father.
“I don't even remember sleeping with her, and she’s still out partying with her friends all the time,” I say, words spewing out as I work myself up. “Even if she is pregnant, it's not my kid. You know I'd never do that, Dad. They've put everyone in this family through hell, and I wouldn’t ever betray you all like that! You have to believe me.”
“Put you all through hell?” Savannah screeches, shoving up from the table. “Boo fucking hoo that we’re related to some asshole who scammed your asses. We have to live with everyone comparing us to him all the time! And how dare you say I'm partying just because I'm celebrating my fucking pregnancy with my friends?”
Savannah’s mom stands too, wrapping a protective arm around her daughter’s waist, and I want to scoff at the display.
“Oh yeah, your life has been so fucking hard being bankrolled by money your uncle embezzled from us!” I shout. “Cry all you fucking want, no one believes you.”
“How dare you speak to my daughter that way?” her dad shouts. “You ruined her life, and you'll damn well?—”
“Enough!”
The roar of my dad’s voice cuts through the din of shouting. I stand at one side of the table, shaking with rage, and Savannah and her parents stand at the other, staring furiously back at me. If they weren't such lying fucking snakes, I'd be impressed by how good of a show they put on. Maybe Savannah’s lying to them too.
I don't know. I don't care, either.
