it. But yeah, I’m sure. And I’m also pretty sure when Dad calms down, he’s gonna remember all that stuff he’s conveniently forgotten for the moment.”
Robin swallowed. “Then I’m gonna go jog his memory.” Before Ryan could get another word out, Robin lurched up off the bed and headed for the living room. Mom and Dad were still sitting there, Mom looking uneasy.
Dad jerked his head in Robin’s direction. “I’ve said all I’m going to say for now,” he said quietly.
“Well, that’s great but I sure haven’t.” Robin walked over and stood in front of him. “How about you tell me the story of meeting Granddad for the first time? How welcome he made you feel? How happy he was that you were dating Mom?” He stared at his dad, mentally daring him to deny it.
Mom caught her breath, but Dad’s eyes were hot. “That has nothing to do with your situation.”
“It has everything to do with it. Granddad gave you a hard time, didn’t he? But you obviously won him over. He clearly gave you and Mom a chance. So why don’t I get that same chance?”
“We’re not talking about your mother and me, we’re talking about you and Mr. Quentin. It’s not the same thing at all.” Dad’s face was red, his breathing harsh.
Robin forced himself to be calm. “Okay, I need to say a couple of things here, and then I’ll get out of your hair. One. Right now you’re obviously not thinking clearly. If you were, you’d see how illogical what you just said is. Two. I’m gonna go stay at Dean’s place. And before you say another word, this is not me being a kid and having a hissy fit. I’m not moving out. This is me leaving temporarily to give both of us some time to think, before we say a lot of shit we’re gonna regret. And three…” His throat tightened. “I always thought you were such a cool dad. I never thought you’d be such a… hypocrite.”
“Are you finished?” Dad said, his eyes still flinty.
“Yeah, I’m done.” And with that, Robin walked out of the room and into his bedroom.
Ryan gaped at him. “Holy fuck, Robin.”
Robin ignored him. He emptied his bag onto the bed, went into his closet, grabbed a handful of briefs, and tossed them onto the comforter.
“You’re not really going to Dean’s, are you?”
Robin thrust the underwear and a couple of T-shirts into the bag, followed by a sweater. “Yup.” God, he was trembling. “I’m gonna give Dad some breathing space, but I need some too.” He threw his toothbrush in there too.
“Is Dean gonna be okay with this?”
Robin nodded. “He said so.”
“Well, I know what you’re gonna be doing for the next few days,” Ryan said with a smirk.
Robin froze. “Are you for real? You really think I’m going over there so we can fuck each other’s brains out? Christ, Ryan.” His shivers multiplied and his hands shook as he zipped up the bag. Sex was the last thing on his mind. All Robin wanted right then was a place where he could think, and that wasn’t under his parents’ roof.
“I’m sorry.” Ryan looked so lost. “I shouldn’t joke.”
Robin put his bag down on the bed and went over to Ryan. He hugged him tightly. “It’s gonna be okay, right?” he whispered.
Ryan’s face was warm against his. “He’ll come around.”
God, Robin hoped so.
As he went to the door, it opened, and Mom stood there, her face ashen. “Don’t go.”
Robin swallowed hard. “Like I told Dad… I’m not moving out. I’m giving us both some space.” He leaned in quickly and kissed her cheek. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you,” she said, before giving him a hug. As he walked past her, she added, “Your dad loves you too.”
That sent a sharp pain lancing through his heart, and he couldn’t reply. He walked up to the front door, stepped outside, and closed it behind him.
I thought if anyone was gonna break my heart, it would be Dean, not my dad.
Dean switched on the washing machine, his mind on Robin.
I hope he’s okay.
Dean had known it was never going to be a walk in the park, but it sounded like Robin’s dad had reacted badly. It had taken every ounce of Dean’s strength not to get into his car and head to Robin’s house. Robin didn’t need that right then. He needed calm assurance that they were going to get through this, and that his dad would come around.
Dean was less sure