Page 79 of Dozer

“What’s her name?”

“Pippa. She has a big, loud family.”

“Where did you meet her?”

“It’s sort of a long story.”

Vending machines lined the wall. I pulled money from my pocket. This was the one time he could splurge on a soda and some junk food. “Let’s get some snacks. What do you want?”

We wandered over to the machines.

“This thing with Pip.” I wanted to get my dad’s advice, so I was going to be as honest as possible. “She’s been dating Romeo.”

My dad pointed to the soda and candy bar he wanted.

“We don’t touch another patch’s old lady. When Romeo finds out, there’s going to be issues.”

I handed him the snacks and grabbed a soda for myself.

“Still don’t like candy bars,” he said with a chuckle.

I never would, maybe because they’d been my dinner too many times as a kid. We walked back to our seats.

“Romeo knows. We’re good. You know Romeo. He’s not looking for serious.”

My insides vibrated with anxiety. Telling him about Romeo and Pippa wasn’t going to change what I wanted. Because I got off on watching my girl pleasured didn’t mean I was going to end up like them. Tamping down my insecurity, I focused on what mattered.

“Pippa’s my girl, but Romeo is still involved.”

He leaned forward. “Are you sure she’syourold lady?”

“Fuck, Dad, yes. She’s not cheating on me when I’m in the fucking room with her.” I raked my hands over my head and growled. “Is this how you and mom started out because I don’t want to end up with a fucked up relationship?”

“Your mom’s a good woman.”

“Why aren’t you pissed off that she’s not here today?”

He shrugged as if he wasn’t concerned at all. “She’s busy. I’ll see her next week.”

“Nah, you don’t get to dodge questions. Not today. I just told you I share my girlfriend with my best friend. Dad, I need you to talk to me. I feel like my fucking chest is being ripped open because of what Mom does behind your back.”

My face heated, and my heart beat against my ribs. Nausea roiled in my gut. I couldn’t get the flush ofmy mom’s cheeks out of my head. She glowed, knowing she was betraying my dad.

“I can’t take her lying shit anymore.”

My dad’s jaw tightened beneath his beard. His gaze narrowed on me. “Watch how you talk about your mother.”

I growled and clenched my fists. “Do you care that she’s doing other guys? She’s going to Vegas, Dad. It makes me sick that she fucks around on you.”

“You done?”

I ran my hands over my head. “I don’t know. If I knew you were into it, maybe I wouldn’t care. I know you’re not. When you’re home, she’s not bringing these assholes into the bedroom with you. I guess I want to know why you put up with it. Wouldn’t it be just as easy to fuck a Heller whore? At least you’d know her pussy isn’t exclusive.”

My dad slammed his fist to the table. A guard stood straighter, and my dad settled down. “She might be your mother, but she’s my old lady. Fucking watch how you talk about her.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I’m just pissed that she doesn’t seem to care about you the way you care about her.”

I wanted to make sure I didn’t end up like them, content to let the woman I love fuck around as long as I didn’t have to hear about it.

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