Another laugh, another huge grin, Chap and her cute attempts at teasing had always brightened his mood, be it at the Academy, while they were researching together, now at the ship of all places. It made him feel relaxed, for a good use of the word. Unwinded. Like the obnoxious teen he had once been, except this time he wasnât leaving his brother, and hell, he wasnât neglecting his child. He was just â-teasing around with his best friend. Because yeah, despite all, Chris was his best friend.
But then it felt like reality slapped him in the face.Â
Sam told himself that she hadnât meant it. That her words werenât headed straight for his chest and his head, and that it shouldnât have even hurt as much as it had. But she knew what being called like that did to him. She had to have known, Sam had confided to the nurse so many things and all related to his father had been one of the most difficult to discuss about.
His smile faltered, and he stopped in his tracks. He was a Kirk. He was a Kirk and he wouldnât let a stupid thing like that affect him. So he shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged, stepping back. âAinât no one saying you arenât. I know youâre a capable woman.â
They were already so close to her quarters. âBut yeah, Iâd, I mean, Iâd like for you to meet Pete. Someday. I gottaââ God, godfuckingdammit, âgotta bail you feel? Need to finish my work. IâllâŠIâll see you round Chappie.âÂ
And he turned on his heels, and while he didnât run, he certainly wasnât going to just walk away, God no, the faster he was out of there the better. His shaky hands had balled into fists in his pockets. Sam was nowhere close to what his father had been, didnât even deserve to have that name. That last name as well. George Kirk wouldnât have done that to a girl like Christine.
She always knew how to get to him, he thought with a sad little smile.
