My dad joins the hug, tentative but solid, wrapping his arms around both of us.For the first time in years, I don't pull away.
After a minute, I pull back a few steps.The weight of everything hits me again, hard.My legs tremble as I think about Gage.That image of us at school.Him in that frame, the one moment of warmth we allowed ourselves, caught and twisted into something damning.
A fresh wave of panic churns inside me.
Is he okay?
What if he gets fired?
I picture him sitting in that cold conference room right now, being interrogated by people who know nothing about us.Nothing about how careful we were.How hard we tried to avoid this.
I can handle the fallout.The whispers.The sideways looks.But the thought of him losing everything, his position, his research, his respect, because of me?Because he loved me?
It makes my stomach twist with guilt and fury.
He doesn't deserve this.He's done everything right.Always steady.Always being protective.And now he's the one at risk.
"Is he going to be okay?"I ask quietly.
My dad looks up."What?"
"Gage.Is he okay?"
He hesitates."It's not looking good the Ethics board is deciding what kind of action to take."
The thought makes me feel sick."He could lose his job because of me."
"Because of the choices you both made," my dad says gently, not unkindly."You're not the only one with something to lose."
"But I can survive the fallout.I can find another program, another school.This job is everything to him."
"Then maybe it's time I stepped in and made it clear how important this is.For both of you."
His words take me by surprise.I blink rapidly, trying to push down the emotions climbing up my throat.
"You'd really do that?After everything?"
"I should have done a lot of things differently," he says."But I can try to get this one right."
My stepmom hugs me, firm but tender, and holds me close."You've changed since you started seeing Gage.You're stronger.More grounded.I used to think you kept your distance because you didn't like me, but now I understand.You were protecting yourself.I just want you to know I see you now.And I'm proud of who you're becoming."
Then she looks at my dad, her hand resting over his heart."You've always wanted to protect her.You just didn't know how."
He swallows hard, nodding, and pulls both of us into a hug.It's clumsy but real.
He clears his throat."I'll talk to the board.I'll fix this.I just don't know how yet, but I will."
I nod."Thank you."
He sighs."And when this all calms down, I want to have dinner together.With you and Gage.If you'll let me."
I blink in surprise, then give a small smile."Okay."
As I turn to leave, I stop in front of my stepmom and pull her into another hug."Thank you.For everything."
She hugs me tight."Anytime."
"Lunch soon?Just us?"