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I wasn’t letting go of Jacob’s hand. “Dad, Jacob didn’t...”

“I’ve already made my decision,” my dad said. “No one is allowed to disrespect my daughter. And honestly I expected more from a supposed friend.” He waved his hand toward Uncle Matt.

“You’re acting like I don’t love Scarlett too,” Uncle Matt said. “She’s my niece.”

“Not by blood,” my dad said.

Uncle Matt shook his head. “Are you serious right now? I helped raise her.”

“Excuse me?”

“Before I had my own family, and even after, I’ve treated your kids the same way I treat my own. And you know it. Scarlett was the first kid in our lives. Of course I want the best for her. And that’s Jacob.”

“Really? How would you feel if...” My dad threw up his hands trying to think of an example. “If Liam called one of your daughters a slut? Get the fuck out of my house.” My dad stood up like that was the end of the conversation.

“I’d tell Chloe or Alora they could do a hell of a lot better than Liam because no one wants to date someone with a crazy father.”

My dad laughed. “Your daughters would be so lucky to end up with Liam.”

Why the hell were we talking about Liam right now? He wasn’t even here.

“Uncle James, I didn’t call Scarlett a slut,” Jacob said. “I’d never do that...”

“I don’t believe you,” my dad said.

“I’d never call someone I love a slut.”

“What?” my dad said.

“I’m in love with your daughter, sir.”

My whole body felt tingly all over. I smiled up at Jacob.

“You’re too young to be in love,” my dad said.

“James.” My mother gave him a hard stare.

“They are too young,” he added. “They’re just kids.”

My mom put her hand on his thigh. “I wasn’t that much older than Scarlett when I met you.”

My dad sighed and turned back to us. He still looked very unpleased about us holding hands. “Jacob, you have one minute to tell me why Mr. Halifax said you called my daughter a slut.”

“This is all just a huge misunderstand,” Jacob said. “Sophie wanted to dance with Mr. Halifax. And she thought he’d be more willing if Scarlett did it first. So Sophie made up this whole thing about Scarlett and I breaking up. And I guess she thought it would be more believable if Mr. Halifax thought I’d said something hateful. You’d have to ask Soph. But she’s the one that likes Mr. Halifax. Not Scarlett.”

At least I hadn’t ratted Sophie out. And at least he’d kept the whole unmasking the kiss thief thing out of it.

“Sophie likes Mr. Halifax?” my dad asked.

“Yes,” Jacob said.

My dad looked at me. “Is that true?”

“Yeah, she literally never stops talking about him,” I said. “I was just doing her a favor.”

My dad exhaled slowly. “I need to talk to my brother.”

“Can’t you just ask Sophie?” I asked. I didn’t want her to get grounded instead of me.