Page 50 of For Fake's Sake and other stories

“Oh, she knew. She said you should be paying after what you put us through. I’m sorry, Dad, but she still hates what you did.”

That isn’t news to me, but the fact that Nate knows hurts. “I’m sorry, Nate. I’d hoped she’d change when she met Cliff. I almost feel sorry for him.”

Nate laughs. “Anyway, I want to say thanks for a lovely night. We both had a good time, and Spencer is cool. I can see how in love you are with each other. It’s great, and I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, Nate. That means a lot to me, and Morgan is a smashing guy.”

Nate’s support has given me something to smile about after a shitty day.

I sit on the sofa next to Carl as Charlotte squirms her way through a pathetic apology. I have to bite my cheek to stop from laughing at her. She looks more like a plastic Barbie than a human being with warmth and personality. How can she be related to Carl and Nate?

She finishes her well-rehearsed speech and glances at Carl. “Can I go now?”

“You may, but everything I said this afternoon still stands. I’ll see you out.” He stands.

When he comes back in, his thunderous expression indicates that she said something else. And that it hasn’t been good. “Go on, tell me.”

“No, it was nothing. I’m sorry, little one.” He pulls me up from the sofa, wraps his arms around my waist, and grabs my arse. “We have more important things to discuss.”

I know what he’s going to say and that he probably has a whole list of arguments of why it’s a good idea. But they aren’t needed. I already made up my mind. “No, we don’t, Daddy. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I guess you have everything planned out. So I’ll save you the breath. Yes.”

He opens and closes his mouth like a fish out of water. “Really?”

“If you’re asking if I want to order pizza instead of healthy food, the answer is yes.” I grin as he pinches my bum. “But if you’re talking about me moving in here, the answer is also yes.”

He stares at me, the only reaction his fingers pressing into the bruises from yesterday. His smile grows so wide it could light up an entire town. He cups my arse and pulls me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and hook my bare feet together. He carries me off to the bedroom and drops me on the bed, then opens the drawer and takes out a condom and the lube.

I wriggle out of my clothes as he strips more slowly out of his, which gives me time to grab the lube and prep myself. He likes to watch my fingers sink into my arse, and I love to give him a good show. But then his patience seems to snap, and as soon as his trousers are off, he rolls the condom down his length.

Seconds later, he’s balls deep inside me, and I hold on to his biceps. This is going to be hard and fast. When he walked through the door, his face resembling a thundercloud, I knew he’d had a shitty day. And when Charlotte turned up, it had made sense. If he wants to fuck it out of his system, who am I to complain? After, he’d give me the sweet, slow version.

In the shower, Carl strokes his soapy hands over my body. “I never thought there would come a time when I was ashamed of my daughter.”

“Oh, Daddy, don’t feel like that. You both need some time away from each other. Then you can build the bridges again. How she is and how she reacted is not a reflection of you. She’s jealous. She always was the apple of your eye.” I tap my chin. “Where does that expression even come from?”

“You’re amazing, little one. Most would be calling her every name under the sun because she behaved badly. She said you were after my money, that I was only a Sugar Daddy to you.I had to remind her that she only apologised because she wanted her allowance back.”

I rest my hands on his hips. “I’ve never considered you a Sugar Daddy, I promise.”

“I know that, Spencer.” He kisses my nose. “Why don’t we get out of here and order a pizza? We can be healthy tomorrow.”

Carl looks relaxed and part of the family when we all sit down for dinner on Sunday afternoon. We’ve spent the last few evenings moving everything out of my flat. He loves having my stuff in his home and took ages finding the perfect places to put my photographs where our visitors can see them.

Now it’s time to tell my parents. Not that I’m worried about their reactions, though. They’ll be happy for me, but they will moan that we don’t let them help. “I moved in with Carl this week. I’ve given my notice on the flat.”

“That’s lovely, but you should’ve told us, Spence. We would’ve helped.” My mum beams at us.

Lauren snorts. “That’s why he didn’t, Mum. He probably remembered how much fuss you made when he moved into his flat.”

Carl stops Mum from retaliating. “Thank you, there wasn’t much to move. You’ll have to come to dinner one night.”

I inwardly groan at the thought of my mum in the apartment. Her little crush on Carl will explode when she sees where he lives, where we live.

Beth gives me a wink. “We have news too.” She looks at Roger, who is grinning. “I’m pregnant.”

And with that, my news is forgotten.

Carl wears a happy smile all the way home. “What’s going on?” I ask.

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