Page 104 of In Ruins
“What did I do?” my father mimics, trying to sound like me, while his scoff is heard over the line. “I’ll tell you what you did! I’m currently sitting in your home office after having just met your very pregnant wife. At least now I know why you were so interested in Salvatore’s wedding.” I can almost see him giving me an eye roll through the phone.
“Ah shit,” I groan. I think my wife might kill me for this ambush, especially since I'm not there with her. Though, to be fair, I had no idea that my parents were going to stop by the penthouse.
“Yep. Shit is about correct. You got married! I’m hurt you didn’t invite us to your wedding,” he says, sounding fake hurt.
“I was going to tell you guys soon,” I try to placate the man.
“Yeah, when?” he questions.
“Last week we were a little busy—” I say, but then he cuts me off.
“I’m sure you were.” He snickers. “And to think if your mother didn’t miss you and decided that enough was enough bycoming to see you at the penthouse, then we never would have known.”
“I was busy,” I defend.
“Let me give you a little tip. Next time you want to keep a secret from your mother, make sure you still remember to go see her and act normal,” he reminds me.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. I forgot how Ma gets when she doesn’t see me for a while. Anyway, I was going to tell you guys when I had the PR stuff ready to go, and obviously before I announced it, which is all done as of this morning. I don’t want her father coming after her, but knowing how dumb the asshole is, I’m sure he will,” I mutter over the line.
“Hey, I’m just fucking with you, son. I’m happy for you. I just can’t believe you stole her from Salvatore. I really should have seen this coming. That asshole will try coming after you as well,” he says, laughing his ass off.
“I’m glad you find your only son going off to war funny,” I grumble.
“Eh. I’m not worried. You’ve trained well,” he says, voice filled with confidence in my abilities.
“I know. And of course, I had to steal her away. She’s carrying my child,” I glance down at my left hand, where my ring is sitting, and can’t help the cheesy smile that crosses my face, letting go of all the day’s headache for a moment.
“Is this baby really yours?” he asks, and I get why he needs to know, since I haven’t told him anything yet.
“Yes. And can you make sure that piece of information doesn’t get leaked? Bernardo doesn’t know she’s carrying my child, and I think it’s safer for her this way. He just thinks she hooked up with someone random,” I tell my dad. Aria and I had this conversation, and she told me she held out not giving him a name and instead told him it was with someone randombecause he would have killed her if he knew it was my baby she’s carrying.
“When did all of this happen?”
“A few months ago,” I confess.
“You sneaky little shit! Had us worried about you never getting married or giving us a grandchild, all the while you were busy knocking the girl up.” He laughs. “She’s very beautiful. How that ugly fuck Bernardo created such a beauty baffles me.”
“Hey, eyes off my wife, old man,” I grumble, while he just begins laughing again.
“Is this what you really want?” he asks after he’s done laughing, his tone carrying a serious note now.
“Yes. She’s everything I didn’t even know I wanted. She and the baby,” I tell him honestly.
“Then I’m happy for you, son. Your mother and I both are,” he says, the love he has for me coating his voice. “By the way, she’s with your mother in the living room, and they’re planning a big party for Saturday.”
“Oh, dear God, no!” I groan. “You couldn’t tell her no?”
“Hey, I’m not about to piss off my wife and face the consequences alone.” He snickers.
“Thanks for no help at all.” I scoff.
“You’re welcome.” He chuckles.
“I’ll be home soon,” I tell him.
“See you later,” he says before hanging up. I look up my PR firm’s number in my contacts and call my publicist.
“Hello, Mr. Andretti. Calling again so soon. What else can I help you with?”
