Page 85 of Tempting Him

“Caroline, please don’t condone this,” Dad says.

“There’s nothing wrong with it,” she offers in a gentle tone. “I know you look at it a little differently because he’s your friend and boss, but I know him, too. I like him and you know he’s a decent man.”

“He’s the boss. It was inappropriate and he should’ve known better. How can I invite this man into my house again? He took advantage of my son.”

Having heard enough, I speak up. “I wasn’t taken advantage of. I told you I pursued him, but I’m not going to sit here and talk about this anymore. It doesn’t matter. I don’t know how many different ways I can say that. He doesn’t live here. I’ll never see him again. Dad, you get your way, and I’ll eventually move on.”

“Sweetie,” Mom says, stepping closer and grabbing my hands. “I think it does matter. To you. And you’re right, we don’t get a say in our children’s partners. If that was the case, I wouldn’t have married your father.”

Dad scoffs and I look between them, but Mom gives me a grin. “Dad didn’t like him. Thought he was a troublemaker.” She winks. “But he’s been the best husband anybody could ask for, and he’s a great father. He’s just trying to look out for you.”

“I get it,” I say with a sigh. “But I’m not planning on bringing people to you to get your approval, I just have to hope that you both like whoever it is I happen to want to be with.”

“If they make you happy, that’s all I care about,” Mom says.

Dad exhales loudly. “Son, you know I want you to be happy, but you have to understand how this makes me feel. I’m sure you’ll find someone else.”

“I’m gonna go,” I say, attempting to force a smile. “I’m glad you all came to visit. Thanks for everything. Really. Let me know when you make it home. I’ll plan a visit for Thanksgiving.”

Mom wraps her arms around me, her head coming to my chest. “I love you. So proud. Don’t forget that. Be happy, baby.”

I squeeze her back and kiss her cheek. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” I walk around to the bed, and wrap an arm around my sister. “Love you, kid. Stop being a snitch, yeah?”

“Shut up. I love you, too.”

After a quick glance at my dad, and the years of being taught to respect them no matter what, I march toward him and extend my hand. It’s not the best form of good-bye, but at least I’m not ignoring him and walking out.

“Have a safe trip.”

He keeps my hand in his. “I mean it. I want you to be happy.”

I nod before spinning around and leaving the room.

35

“What is wrong with you?”Renzo asks as I sit on Trev and Dom’s couch while everyone around me is either drinking or dancing.

“Nothing.”

He drops down next to me, nudging my side. “I know you’re full of shit. We just graduated, dude! Everyone’s having a good time except you.”

“I was drinking. Iamdrinking,” I amend, holding up my beer.

Renzo takes it from me. “First of all, this is full and warm.”

“I don’t know, man. Just got some shit goin’ on. I’m fine.”

“Talk to me,” he says with another nudge. “I may have overheard something about a secret boyfriend. Is it that?”

I snort. “Who was it? Dom or Trevor?”

He pretends to lock his lips shut, but it doesn’t matter because soon Dom marches over and plops down on the other side of me.

“Why are you all depressed over here? Mr. Missionary?”

I shoot him a look before Renzo pipes in. “Who?”

With a drawn out, dramatic sigh, I figure I may as well open up. I gave Renzo a little shit for not letting me know what was going on with him and Ronan, and then Trev kept the fact that he was gayandsleeping with the new running back a secret. Now I can understand why you want to keep things to yourself, but there isn’t a point anymore.

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