ABotB: End
Apologies and a first step at making things right.
Another really short section, I'm going away for a few days and won't be able to write so I wanted to get everything out before I break my flow!
We arrive at lunch together, causing Kevin to raise his eyebrow at me. “Nice to see you, Peter." He doesn't look at me. "Dad.”
Ouch. “Hey Kev, where’s Ky?”
“Inside at the table.” He glares at me. “Come on.”
We reach the table and Ky is clearly trying to make things as easy as possible, he makes small talk like last night wasn’t a complete nightmare. He really is a good guy, but it’s hard to separate that from my newfound knowledge of their, apparently, very active and energetic sex life.
Peter sits next to me and for a while, we just decide what to order, but Kevin continues to stare hatefully in my direction. I try to crack a joke, which Ky grants me the mercy of laughing at before Kevin breaks.
“I’m tired of this, Dad.” He sighs. “Why are you even here? You made your feelings clear last night.” Ky places a paw on his shoulder which Kevin grasps. “Nothing you say will change that we’re getting married. Nothing.” He looks between me and Peter. “So say what you came to say and–” He chokes. “Get out.”
I should have expected that, but it still sends me reeling. Once I catch my breath I carefully consider my words. “I’m sorry. I was wrong, what I said was wrong, and I hurt you.”
Kevin opens his mouth, shocked. “If you need time away from me, I get it. I do. I never treated you two right while you were growing up, even though you’ve given me every chance.”
“You two are perfect together. Everyone but me saw it. Your mom, Peter, all our friends, everyone just knew.” I stare at the floor. “I don’t think there’s anything else for me to say.”
I look over to Peter who seems genuinely impressed with my little speech. Ky is crying while holding Kevin close to his chest, he’d always been the more sensitive of the two. Kevin wipes his eyes and nods.
“I think I still need some time, Dad.” He sighs. “But I’ll make sure you’re at the wedding, I promise.”
I leave lunch early to give everyone their privacy, calling a cab to head home and get some real rest. Later in the evening, I receive a phone call from Peter, he must have put his details into my phone last night.
“Gotta say, Mike, that was a really good start.” He says.
“Thanks, I guess,” I reply.
“Now, how’s about you come by and meet the neighbors?” He laughs.
I sigh, thinking about how stupid the last 24 hours have been, it’s like I’m in some badly-paced porno. I laugh at the thought. “Yeah, yeah… I’m on my way.”