Page 93 of The Perfect Love

That’s part of why I don’t put much emphasis on my birthday. Before my dad died, it was the day I looked forward to every year. I knew it would be incredible because he always made it that way. My mom has gone above and beyond since he died, trying to make it feel just as special, and I love her for it, but what I miss isn’t something replaceable. It’s my dad’s joyful energy. The massive smile on his face when whatever surprise he concocted was finally revealed. And even though this is my tenth birthday without him, I still don’t feel a big desire to celebrate.

Does any of that excuse me not telling Chelsea? No. But I truly wasn’t thinking about it. I wasn’t keeping it from her. If it hadn’t been for Amanda planning a party, I wouldn’t have thought of it until two days beforehand. I understand why she was upset, and maybe I should’ve told her the reason I don’t want to make it a big deal, but if she wants to celebrate me, I want to let her do that. Because I know how that feels. To want to make the person you care about happy and bring them joy. It’s all I think about with her. It’d be hypocritical of me to stop her from doing that for me.

So, we’re going on a date she planned, and I’m going to focus on having fun.

Not that the party last night wasn’t fun. I appreciated that too. Chelsea did great, and once she realized how small and relaxed it was, she was completely comfortable. Amanda got Nick and his wife, Leigh, to come up for a few hours, and that was awesome. Chelsea fit in with them seamlessly, bantering with Nick and probably scheming with Leigh. It was all great, and I had fun.

Fuck, I wish I could stop being such a sad sack about this, but losing my dad colored things differently, and my accident brought a lot of those things up again. I hadn’t realized how much I had compartmentalized until after that.

Maybe I should go back to therapy.

I went right after my dad died, but… whatever.

I don’t want to get on this train of thought today. I’m determined to have a great time with my girl.

There we go. That’s the train of thought I can jump on.

My dick too.

Unfortunately, he gets a little jumpy at even the mention of Chelsea these days. That might have something to do with that hot as fuck grinding session followed by listening to her get off over the phone.

I swear I memorized every sound she made, and fuck if I’m not desperate for more. Not that I’ll push. Just the memory of her breathy moans or the feel of her body grinding against mine is enough to get me close to coming.

Speaking of which… I glance down at the obvious bulge in my pants.

Just what I need while I’m driving to pick up Chelsea.

I don’t even have time to beat one off, unless I want to find some back road, but that sounds pervy.

Maybe I need to start jerking off before our dates.

Is that more creepy or less?

And now I’m thinking about jerking off. Not what I need right now, brain.

I take a deep breath, trying to think of anything that will get the blood from my dick, only for the noise of loud ringing to scare the shit out of me.

I jump and glance at the screen in my car. Then I cringe hard at the name I see.

My mother.

Well, at least my boner is dead now.

I click the button to answer the call and try to sound normal. “Hey, Mom.”

“Happy birthday!” The mixture of my mom’s and Hyla’s voices reverberate around the car as if they were right next to me.

I grunt but smile.

“Thank you.”

“How’s your birthday weekend been so far?” Mom asks.

“Yeah. I’m sorry I had to miss your party,” Hyla says.

“It’s all good. It was low-key. Well, as low-key as Amanda knows how to be. I know you’ll celebrate me when I’m home next.” There’s a noise like my mom is going to start worrying, so I quickly add, “And don’t worry about today, Chelsea has a whole plan to spoil me.”

“Ooh Chelsea,” Hyla sings.

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