AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Adam’s jaw clenches when he looks at her, and he straightens. Something in his eyes looks predatory–determined. “You know Ellis Smalley?”
My brow furrows. “She’s my girlfriend. Why?”
I don’t miss B’s mutteredfuck, and the click of the French doors behind me before his answer steals the breath from my lungs.
“I’m her father.”
There’s a harsh intake of breath behind me, and when I turn, I see Ellis with a confused look on her face. It’s a look that reminds me she’s never met the man before.
“B?” she questions, her voice sounding weak. “Who is this?”
Thirty
Ellis
Inever put cliff diving on the bucket list I gave to Finn back in December, but by the sheer lack of oxygen in my lungs, I’m starting to think the universe took some liberties.
“B?” I question, though my voice sounds shaky. “Who is this?”
It’s stupid, because I just heard the man announce that he was my father, but I need some kind of confirmation.
“Ellis,” B’s voice sounds distant. “This is Adam. He dated your mom for a time.” I can tell by her expression alone that what he said was the truth. “He’s your biological father.”
I nod. I will not cry out on this patio–not here. The man before me is a stranger, standing in front of me in an ill-fitted suit–looking like he just rolled out of bed before showing up at an art show. “I think,” I start, feeling Finn slide in next to me, his strong arm tucking me closer to him. I’m thankful for it. “I think that maybe this isn’t a great time to do this,” I finally say, thankful that my voice isn’t wavering as much as before.
I haven’t had a chance to process or think. The first thing that hits me is the feeling of stupidity. I should have guessed more was going on when I heard B and Brian arguing earlier today. Whatever high I had from selling my art has vanished. I’m falling, and I don’t really know how to slow down.
On one hand, I’m pissed. On the other hand–
I don’t really know.
“I think maybe it would be best if you leave,” Finn says, his grip tightening on my shoulder as I cling to him.
“We can talk about this tomorrow?” I look at B questioningly. “Give him my number?”
“You’re sure?” she asks, and I nod.
I turn to Finn, seeing the warmth in his gaze and it settles some of my swirling emotions. “Am I allowed to go home?” I whisper.
“You’re allowed to do whatever you want, Ellis.”
We leave the patio as Brian rushes through the door.
“You want to talk about it?”
Streetlights pass outside the Jeep windows, lighting the car before plunging it back into darkness. It seems like a good metaphor for my emotions, to be honest.
I’ve spent a lot of time feeling like I was thrown into B’s life in a way that nobody truly wanted, and while I don’t question her love for me, Iamreminded of the things Lennon and Griffin said back in December. I do a lot to shoulder the burden of my own existence when I don't need to.
“It could be a good thing,” I say, but my voice is quiet.
“Okay,” Finn says, his hands firmly fixed to the steering wheel. His eyes stay glued to the road. “Okay, good. Keep going.”
“B never talked about him much. My mom didn’t either. It might be good to hear him out.” Something wraps around my heart and squeezes. It feels sort of like the truth, so I let it out. “I’ve already had one parent taken from me. I guess I’m shocked, but I also have hope.”
Finn lets out a heavy breath, one that tells me he’d been holding it in for a while. “That makes me feel a little better.” There’s a pause as the Jeep goes dark again.
“It could be terrible too,” I admit. “There’s a reason he was never around, and there’s a reason nobody cared to talk about it.”
