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“Oh… I see.” Mom looks down at her meal and delicately picks up a forkful of salad. “Well, I’m sorry to hear that.”
Ty glances at me quickly with a what the fuck look in his eyes, and I chuckle. He didn’t have to say that, but I know he did it to shut them up after that uncalled-for comment about me not visiting them.
But Dad continues. “And what is it you do for work?”
“I’m a mechanic,” Ty says simply, looking down at his row of forks next to his plate and cautiously selecting the wrong one.
I slap the back of his wrist so he drops the dessert fork and I point to the right one. Ty shoots me a look that promises I’ll pay for that later, and I smile at him. I fucking hope I do.
“Ah,” Dad says, watching us with brows drawn together. “And you like it?”
“Yes,” Ty says, picking up the dinner fork.
And I have to chuckle as my parents continue to look at him, waiting for more. But it’s not coming.
So, my turn.
“Speaking of work,” I say, piercing my steak with my fork. “I got a new job. I was offered the Phys. Ed. position at the school I sub at. And I accepted. So I’m now permanent, full-time.”
Nadia gasps and grabs my arm. “That’s awesome! Congratulations!”
Mia smiles widely at me. “I knew you’d get it.”
My mother’s gaze turns icy as she glares at me, and slowly shakes her head. “Luca, are you serious…”
“Very.” I nod, taking a bite of my steak. “I love that school.”
She sighs and rubs her forehead with her hand.
“What?” I ask, needing her to get the fuck on with this so I can get out of here.
Mom shakes her head, leaning forward and lowering her voice. “We’ll talk about this after, this is not the place–”
“No,” I say, shaking my head right back at her. “We’ll talk about it now.” I stare at her as she gives me the warning look I’ve become so accustomed to growing up. The look that says to stop this right now and smarten up. But joke’s on her. I’ve got my fucking unicorn socks on and my man wearing his tiger boxers beside me. I’m smartened all the way up, and ready to fucking do this.
And when Mia sends a little smile and a nod my way, I find even more courage to finish this.
“We’ve done so much for you, to get you this opportunity at Sterling,” Mom says, her voice still low. “And you’re really just going to throw it all away?”
“Considering I never wanted it, I don’t think I’m throwing anything away.” I shrug, and take a drink of my scotch.
“Luca.” Mom glares at me. “You never even gave it a chance. Do you not want to succeed? Do you not want to push yourself to learn new skills and be the best you can be in something you enjoy?”
I laugh. I fucking laugh. Because that’s all I can do. Ty looks at me with a cocked eyebrow, and I know he is thinking exactly what I am.
“Mom,” I shake my head and take a deep breath, “you’re going to hate this, but guess what? I’m already doing that. I’m in a job I love more than anything, and I push myself in MMA every fucking day. Every day I’m in the gym, I’m learning something new and pushing myself to be the best I can be. And it paid off, because I’ve been accepted into an elite event that is only going to open more doors. So, yes,” I lean back in my chair and cross my arms, “I do want to succeed. And I’m going to.”
Mom sets her fork down and looks to my dad, shaking her head. “I don’t even know what to do anymore…” she mutters.
“So, that’s what you’re going to do with your life then?” Dad says to me. “Teach gym at an underfunded public school and make pennies with no opportunity for growth? And continue to chase this silly dream of MMA, so that you look like this.” He gestures to my face. “All so you can say you’re learning new skills? And what happens when you end up with a serious brain injury and ruin your entire life? We’ve been more than supportive as we let you get this out of your system, but it’s time to wake up and make some smart choices.”
I feel Ty tense beside me, and I try my hardest not to completely lose it on my dad right here in this restaurant.
“This silly little dream I’m chasing is teaching me more skills than any private school could. I’ve learned more about life and myself in MMA than I ever did in the years I attended Browning, so like hell will I be teaching there, or in any private school.” I look between my mom and dad as their disapproving glares attempt to break me. “It takes a lot of courage to stand up for yourself and control a fight,” I say. “Even more to defend yourself against an attack. MMA is the only thing that taught me that.” I pick up my glass and hold it up in a cheers motion. “And it’s certainly coming in handy right now.”
The entire table is silent as my parents just stare back at me, and I take a drink of my scotch. Nadia shifts her weight in her seat beside me, and Mia gives me another little nod of approval.
“Luca, I’m not going to sit here and take this.” Dad shoots daggers at me. “We’ve done nothing but try to help you. Everything we do is for you and your future, and you’re pissing all over it. Grow the fuck up and–”
