“N-n-no, he doesn’t need to,” Ozzie said.
“Yes, he does.”
“I’m not apologizing. I haven’t done or said anything wrong. In the meantime, Dad, you should consider canceling the wedding.”
“The wedding’s already canceled.”
“What?”
I grabbed the back of Matty’s shirt. “We’ll be right back, Ozzie.” I propelled Matty inside the house.
“Dad, I’m not a kid anymore. You can’t treat me like this.”
I closed the door and released him, then wagged a finger in front of his face. “If you don’t stop acting like a kid, I’ll treat you like one. What you said to Ozzie is disrespectful. I didn’t raise you like that.”
“Didn’t you hear a word I said? He’s been cheating on Carter.”
“With me! He’s been cheating with me, and I won’t tolerate you calling him a whore for it either unless you’re calling me one too.”
Matty furrowed his eyebrows and pressed his lips tight together. The emotions played out on his face like a silent movie. “Dad? You?”
I leaned against the wall, creating some distance between us. “Yeah.”
“But…why would you do something like this? Carter’s your son.”
“I could stand here and justify why. Carter is a shitty fiancé and doesn’t consider his feelings at all. I could tell you that no one should plan their wedding alone and that we’re pretty sure Carter cheated on him, but the truth is that I wanted him. It’s that simple.”
Matty reeled back like he’d been slapped, his face going white, then red. Then he shook his head as if trying to clear it. “How could you?” His voice was shaking. “What about Carter?”
“I’m hoping he’ll want what’s best for Ozzie and give us his blessing.”
“Carter is one of the most selfish people on this planet. You expect him to smile this off? Oh my god, Dad, seriously? Ozzie? This isn’t happening.”
“Matty, I can’t help it if I’m attracted to him. I wouldn’t have acted on it, but he’s miserable in his relationship with Carter. He’s the one who’s supposed to be here, taking Ozzie around, but he left that job up to me. All this time I’ve spent with Ozzie only made me fall for him.”
“So now what? You saying you’re in love with him?”
“We’re a good match.”
“Are you listening to yourself?” Matty spat. “Nothing you said can justify what you’re doing. You’re screwing your son’s fiancé behind his back.”
“Don’t trivialize what we mean to each other.”
“But you don’t see anything wrong with trivializing your relationship with your son? Isn’t this family hurting enough asit is? Parents who live in two different places, married in name only while sleeping with whomever they want? Is that what a marriage is now?”
I frowned. Something was wrong in his words, something beyond Ozzie and me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Forget it. I can see no one gives a fuck anymore about vows and keeping their word to each other. By all means, enjoy your son’s lover.”
“Maybe what we’re doing isn’t ideal, but do you know what it’s like to glimpse your happiness in a rearview mirror? I can’t miss it this time, Matty. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this happy, and I hope Carter can forgive us. We’ll have a tough enough time in town. Hopefully, in time, as you get used to Ozzie, you can support us.”
He shook his head hard. “I can’t. I’m sorry, but this—this is wrong on so many levels.”
A vise clamped around my chest, squeezing the air out of my lungs. “I can’t force you to accept us, Matty, but I’m still your dad. You don’t have to like what we’re doing, but I won’t tolerate you disrespecting Ozzie. He doesn’t deserve it. Have I made myself clear?”
“He deserves—”
“I said have I made myself clear, Matty?”
