Page 97 of A Bossy Surprise

After dinner, Sandrine runs off with Brady to play. So it’s me, Adam, and his father alone at the dinner table.

“So have you given any more thought to our last conversation?” Mr. Grant asks Adam.

“No, I haven’t.” Adam says. “I’m not leaving GNN.”

“If you choose to go down this road things could get very ugly,” Mr. Grant says.

“I’m aware of that,” Adams says.

Mr. Grant turns to me. “Will you talk some sense into him?”

“I don’t think I need to, because he’s making the right decision.”

He rolls his eyes at me. “Of course, I don’t know what I was expecting.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Adam asks.

“It means that given her behavior up until now, I’m not surprised she is not a reasonable person.”

“Dad you can say whatever you want to me and about me, but you will not insult my girlfriend and the mother of my son in my own home.”

“I will say whatever I want to whomever I want.”

Adam gets to his feet, and his chair topples over behind him. “I dare you, Dad. Say one more disparaging thing about Kayla and see what happens.”

Mr. Grant stands. “I have never been more ashamed of you than I am in this moment.”

“The fact that you’re ashamed of me for standing up for my family says more about you than it does me.”

“What’s going on in here?” Mrs. Grant walks into the room. “We can hear your raised voices in the other room.”

“Nothing’s going on, Mom. Dad was just leaving.”

We all stare at Mr. Grant as he does up his jacket and walks out of the room without another word.

“What was that all about?” Adam’s mother asks.

“Just Dad being Dad,” Adam answers.

“What did he say?” she asks.

“He was being disrespectful to Kayla. He’s still pissed about Brady.”

His mother takes a deep breath. “You know I’m the last person to ever want to defend your father, but on this, I want you to try to see where he’s coming from?”

“Excuse me?” Adam says.

“It’s just that she kept our grandson from us for almost 7 years. We have a right to be upset about that.”

“I’ve gotten over it. The both of you should too.”

“Sweetheart, that’s not how it works. I’m happy that you are over it as you say, but your father and I haven’t gotten there yet.”

“So what are you saying? That I should sit here with my arms folded as he insults my girlfriend?”

“No, I’m saying give him a little grace.”

“I don’t even know what to say to that,” he throws his hands up.