Page 161 of Bad for Me

The smug bastard has the gall to wink at me behind Michael's back.

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By the endof the lunch rush, I'm so tired that I almost believe I could be coming down with something. On top of my exhaustion, I definitely overdid it on my run this morning. I spend most of the day sitting in the office, which only serves to make things worse. Not only am I fraught with tension over being in a relatively small space with Ian, but I don't spend enough time moving my muscles. By the time closing rolls around, I'm so stiff I can barely hide how sore I am.

"You know what you need?" Michael says.

"A younger body?" I reply, pretending I don't notice Ian smirking and looking me up and down appreciatively.

"Besides that," Michael laughs. "I think you need a beer and a soak in the hot tub."

"That actually sounds perfect."

When we get home, Michael gets a few beers out while I step out of my clothes, opting just to get in the hot tub with only my boxer briefs on so I can avoid walking up the stairs until I'm a little less sore. Ian goes upstairs and leaves us alone, so I get a few blessed minutes without the torment of his presence. It doesn’t last long though, until Ian rejoins us, thankfully not in that stupid Speedo. Not that the tiny shorts he is wearing are much better.

"Here," Ian says, passing me a joint.

"Are you out of your mind?" I scold, glaring at him.

"Dad. It's a good idea. It'll help you relax," Michael declares. "You realize it's legal now, right?"

"It's medicinal," Ian says.

My eyes roll and I give my son a pointed look. "It's not that I have any issues with marijuana, aside from the fact that the smell lingers everywhere you go." I narrow my eyes at Ian as he lights the end of the joint. "But that shit makes you silly, and I'm not about that life."

"You're right," Ian says sarcastically, nodding sagely and turning his head to blow out a long stream of smoke. "Wouldn't want you to enjoy yourself."

Michael snorts.

"The last time I got high, you happened," I say, pointing a finger at my son.

Everyone bursts out laughing at that. Ian chokes on a lungful of smoke.

"Well, I'm pretty sure you're safe from that happening tonight." Michael laughs, plucking the joint from Ian's fingers to pass to me.

I stare at him, and he raises an eyebrow pointedly. With a resigned sigh, I take it and take a small puff. I try to pass it back, but they both stare daggers at me.

"Fine," I say exasperatedly, bringing the joint back to my lips and taking a long drag. I handle the first one okay, but the second one has me coughing. Michael pats me on the back.

The effect is almost instantaneous. All the tension in my neck and shoulders melts away, the majority of my aches and pains dissolve as a pleasant heaviness draws my head back against the side of the hot tub. I think I might even doze off, listening to Ian and Mike talk about what some of their friends are moving onto now that they’ve graduated. I'm aware enough to overhear and somewhat engage when they talk about Chloe and his plans for their first date tomorrow.

"You should take her out on the boat," I tell him, my eyes closed.

"How high are you?" Michael asks .

"Not high enough to make any bad decisions," I assure him. "You're old enough, and responsible. Just don't drink and drive, which you wouldn't do in a car, anyway."

"Ooh, you could take her to that fancy place on the other side of the lake. You know the one on the pier? Then, after dinner, go for a romantic walk on the boardwalk. Don't they always have some kind of live music or something going on out there during tourist season?"

"Lakeside Bistro? I doubt I could get a reservation so quickly, even on a Tuesday. But it's not a bad idea for another time."

I grin at my son. "Son, this is when name dropping comes in handy."

Michael raises an eyebrow. "You know the owner well?"

"He's part of my regular poker group. I'll give him a call in the morning."

"That's awesome. Thank you." By the smile on his face, you'd think we'd solved some major dilemma.

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