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“Don’t be cute, Rae. Explain.”
“Okay, so…yes, he’s my bosstechnically.”
“Oh my God, Raegan. That’s what all this is? You know how this looks? He got his subordinate pregnant, and to prevent himself from getting fired, he’s talked you into selling some bullshit fairytale? I know you’re smarter than this!”
“WHAT?” I hear from the kitchen and then Lucas is coming through the screen door as Avery lingers in the doorjamb.Good fucking grief. I don’t need this right now.
“I’m so sorry, I can go.” Avery starts to shut the screen.
“No wait!” Raegan says to Avery who looks like a deer in the headlights at what to do and I know Raegan is thinking that Lucas and I won’t fly off the handle if she sticks around. Avery stands in the doorway as Lucas comes to stand next to me, his arms crossed.
“Dad, Luke, I know you guys are just trying to protect me,” Raegan starts, “but that’s not what’s happening here. I told you, we were already together before we got pregnant. We’ve been together for months. We’ve gone to human resources. I was saying in the beginning we did have to hide it, but now they know. Everyone knows. They can’t fire Wes. He owns the company.”
“He reports to someone, a board of trustees or whatever and they can absolutely force him out for misconduct,” I tell her.
“At least the guy’s got money,” Lucas says as he looks at me with a shrug.
I shut my eyes as irritation at both of them flares through me. “I’m sorry, did you two forget how you were raised? Since when do Rae or you, might I add, need anyone else for money? You both have always done a very good job at asking me for it.”
Avery snickers from the corner and Lucas looks at her with a playful glare and she shrugs.
“It’s not about the money, and Dad, I haven’t asked you for money in probably a year,” Raegan argues.
“Honey, you moved out six months ago and in with your boyfriend.” I lower my gaze. “I’ll give you a thousand dollars right now if you can tell me how much Wes pays for rent or a mortgage.”
Raegan stands and puts her hands on her hips. “I know, but I am not going to tell you.”
Lucas chuckles. “Unbelievable.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, and Dad shelled out how much money for your apartment in New York?” Raegan snaps.
“Yeah, while I was in school! He paid for your college housing too, Rae. I’m taking over the mortgage for itnow.”
“Look,” I interrupt, before they continue with this back and forth, “we are getting off topic. You are both spoiled as hell. That is not the point. I am happy that I’ve been able to do whatever I can for you and will always do that.”
“Yeah, the point is you got knocked up by your sugar daddy!” Lucas says and though I hear the joking in his tone, it’s too much.
“Lucas,” I grit out and Raegan’s eyes well up with tears.
“That is not what happened.” She stamps her foot. “This is why I wanted to talk to Dad alone about this. You’re such a dick, Lucas.” She grabs her bag, trying to sniffle back her tears.
“Rae—” I start, following her, hating my part in making her upset.
She turns around. “Bye Dad. I’ll call you later.” She gives me a quick hug before turning towards Avery. “See you, Ave.” She presses her cheek to Avery’s and makes a kissing noise before she turns around and looks at me and then Lucas with a sneer. “Maybe if you weren’t such an asshole, you’d actually have a shot with her.”
Lucas gives her his middle finger but I can see the anger in his eyes and I sigh because both of my children have gone way too fucking far and I know just where to unleash my annoyance as I follow Raegan into the house.
“Too far.” I grit out, closing the glass door behind us to give us a bit of privacy and leaving Lucas and Avery outside to deal with the awkwardness of Raegan’s comment.
“Oh please,” she says. “We’re still pretending that he doesn’t follow her around like a freaking puppy begging for affection?” She opens up the refrigerator and grabs a sparkling water. “We’re all too old for it.”
“You need to apologize.”
“For what!” She whines. “He started it. Wes is not my Sugar Daddy.”
“I’m going to make him apologize too.” I cross my arms. “And the difference is, you believe there’s truth to what you said. He was just making a jab at his age. I don’t think Lucas really thinks he’s your…that.” I cringe, not wanting to say it out loud.
“Fine.” She sighs. “I’m still leaving though. I’m tired.”
