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That was fair.
“I know I can be a selfish prick sometimes.” Dad lifted an Is that so? eyebrow at me. “Okay, most of the time.” I smiled. “If it’s any consolation, Ciaran has been helping me see the error of my ways. I don’t think I’d ever felt such shame until I told him about the video.”
“I’ll have to thank the kid for unlocking your conscience.” Still, he looked a bit puzzled. “I’d wondered why you were dating Coach Anderson’s pasty-looking daughter, who I am sure is a nice girl, but not someone in our sphere, son.”
Strangely, I felt somewhat defensive of Zoey. “Zoey came through in the end when it came time to delete the videos.”
“I’m sorry, did you say videos, as in there were more than one?”
“Yes. Coach recorded other guys on the swim team.”
“Jesus, this is messy. Your coach is going to wish he was never born.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if Coach Anderson would be packing his bags and looking for a new position before the sun rose tomorrow.
“I guess I’m still confused,” Dad continued. “Who are you really dating?”
“Ciaran. My agreement with Zoey is purely a business transition through the remainder of the year.”
“Spoken like a Vaulteneau. Listen, Matty.” Dad sighed and I got the sense he was going to force me to end things with Ciaran. “You and?—”
“I know Ciaran’s my stepbrother,” I interrupted. “But look at it this way: we just met, so it’s not like we think of each other like siblings or anything.”
“Matty…”
I threw down the gauntlet. “Ciaran’s worried you’ll divorce Theresa because of our unorthodox relationship.”
Dad pinched the bridge of his nose. “Every word out of your mouth tonight has been unorthodox, but I’d sooner fling myself into the sun than divorce Theresa,” Dad said. “The boy has nothing to worry about on that front. But,” Dad added, sobering, “you’re right. I’m not thrilled at your actions while we were away. I trusted you to befriend the boy, not bed him.”
I shot up from the couch. “I promise you that nothing like that happened until last night.”
Not if you don’t count the groping and making out.
“And probably today, from the looks of you two,” Dad speculated. I didn’t have to actually answer that. The blush spreading across my face was evidently proof enough. “Thought so. I’ll do my best to get used to you being romantically involved with my bride’s son, provided Theresa is also on board, if you agree to the outpatient rehab program.”
“Deal!”
That stopped Dad short. It was clear he expected more of a fight out of me.
“I don’t know how that will impact your upcoming swim trials, son. I’d say ask your coach, but that fucker’s all but dead.”
“I’ll talk to the athletic director,” I offered, even though there was a new sinking feeling in my gut.
I might get disqualified from competing this year, which meant I’d have to wait four years before I could qualify for the US Swim Team and have a chance at competing at the Summer Olympics.
It was a dream I’d been chasing for years.
But the last few weeks with Ciaran had me seeing things a bit more clearly.
Becoming a healthier version of myself would make me a better boyfriend to Ciaran and son to my father, both of which sounded like much more important goals.
“So,” Dad began, his eyes bright and earnest. “Let’s talk about why you and Ciaran drove to Vegas last night.”
It was casually asked, but I wasn’t fooled. Dad could tell it was all connected in some way. It wasn’t up to me to reveal Ciaran’s secrets, but I could disclose a few facts that would be of interest to my powerful father.
“You’re probably not going to believe this, Dad,” I started, “but Ciaran’s high school guidance counselor is none other than Andy Jones. I can’t get into all the details, but Andy’s been manipulating Ciaran for years, especially about college. Andy revealed last night, before I beat the shit out of him, as you can see from the bruises on my face, that he kept dangling mentions of a lovely woman named Theresa to you for three years.”
“True, Andy infrequently mentioned Theresa.” Dad’s eyebrows furrowed. “But I’m not sure I follow. I’m pretty much indebted to him.”
