Page 105 of Dad Next Door

“Have you thought about what it would mean to be in a long-term relationship with him?” Dad asked.

“What do you mean?”

“He’s a single dad. That comes with a unique series of challenges, especially if things aren’t amicable between him and his ex.”

“Yeah, it’s anything but amicable.” I sipped more of my tea to wet my throat. Pops and his ex-wife had a rocky, drama-filled relationship before she’d gone no contact with him, Jesse, and Adam four years ago. I’d seen firsthand what kind of challenges could happen between exes who didn’t get along.

“But that’s a non-issue for me. He’s an amazing father, and his kid is awesome. I’ll deal with whatever crap Asshole McDouchenozzle?—”

Dad, who’d just taken a sip of his tea, spluttered, spraying tea in an epic spit take.

“Sorry.” I scooped a napkin up off the coffee table and handed it to Pops. “That’s what we call his ex.”

“Very creative,” Pops deadpanned, wiping his cheek with the napkin.

Dad coughed a few times but regained his composure quickly. “Sorry, honey.” He patted Pops’s leg.

“But like I was saying,” I continued. “I don’t care about the ex drama or any of that. I just don’t want to mess everything up and lose them.”

“I think this is one of those times where you’ll have to trust your gut,” Dad said. “You’re smart, capable, and you know your own mind. If you’re this twisted up over your feelings, then maybe you should trust that you already know the answer.”

I blew out a breath. “Yeah. You’re right. I think I already know the answer. I’m just doing that thing where I second-guess everything and convince myself I’m wrong. Self-gaslighting for the win.”

“Do you want to stick around for a while?” Dad asked. “We could watch a movie before dinner.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” Watching movies together was one of the ways my dad had figured out to help me when I was younger and my head would get too loud. We’d put on something we’d already seen, and he’d let me talk about whatever popped into my head while the movie played so I could process whatever was bothering me.

I might be a grown man, but I still needed my dad, and movie time was one of my favorite pressure-free ways to chat.

“You know this means we need to meet him, right?” Pops handed me the plate of cookies he’d brought out.

“I know.” I took it from him and picked up a cookie. “Maybe I could bring him to the next family dinner?”

“Are you sure you want to put him through baptism by fire with Jesse and Adam?” Pops asked, gathering up the mugs.

“Yeah, that’s probably not the best idea. How about the four of us go out to dinner? Then we can unleash Jess and Adam on him the next time.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Dad said as he and Pops exchanged a look.

“You’re going to fuck with him about his age, aren’t you?” I sighed.

Dad smiled innocently. “Who, us?”

“Yeah, you,” I said pointedly.

“Whatever do you mean, fuck with him?” Pops asked, his tone as sweet as pie. “I was just thinking it would be fun to point out how you and your dad have a thing for older men.”

“Pops,” I groaned.

“Didn’t you say he’s ten years older than you? I’m ten years older than your dad. That’s a fun coincidence, no?”

“You’re having way too much fun with this,” I grumbled.

“Oh my god, you guys are the same age as we were when we met.” Dad put both hands over his heart and batted his eyelashes.

“Oh my god,” I groaned and took a giant bite of a cookie. “You’re the literal worst,” I said around my mouthful of food.

“Awww, did you hear that, honey? He said we’re the best.” Dad beamed a fake smile at Pops.

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