Page 35 of Dirty Pucker

“You dated that supermodel for a while. What was her name again? Something Marley…”

I sigh. “Makenna Marley.”

“That’s right. She was lovely.”

“We weren’t right for each other.”

That was a few years ago and it ended terribly. We fought constantly over our crazy schedules and never being able to see each other. And the day after we broke up, she hooked up with Xander. I haven’t had a serious relationship since. I’ve hooked up here and there, but that’s it. I haven’t been interested in pursuing anything with anyone.

Until I met Ingrid.

I think back to earlier this morning when she filmed me for the Bashers’ TikTok account…how fun it was to tease her and flirt with her.

And then I remember how Theo was ready to kick my ass over it.

She’s off-limits. Quit thinking about her as anything more than a friend.

“Did you say you needed my help with something in the garage?” I ask, attempting to change the subject. I follow her out there and move a few things in the garage, then get ready to leave.

She walks me to my Audi SUV parked in her driveway and hugs me.

“Call me if you need anything else. Even if it’s late or in the middle of the night,” I tell her.

She gives me another squeeze. “I will, honey.”

She hugs me so tight, her body trembling for a few seconds. My chest feels like it’s cracking in half feeling her shake in my arms.

She’s terrified of my dad.

Anger slices through me. After all these years, he’s still tormenting her, still shattering her sense of security.

I push it aside and hug her tight. When we break apart, she tiptoes up and kisses my cheek.

“Love you, honey.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

I watch her walk into the house before I climb into my car and drive to my place.

Restless energy zooms through me. I feel like a caged animal aching to break loose. The anger that I swallowed back minutes ago bubbles up inside of me. My muscles tense as I death-grip the steering wheel.

I can’t just let this go. I can’t just sit here and let my dad think he can keep tormenting my mom.

I grab my phone and dial the number I haven’t called since I was a little kid.

My pulse spikes. It’s been more than fifteen years since I’ve spoken to my dad. After we finally got him out of our lives, I never wanted to talk to him again.

But I’m going to now. Because he needs to know that if he doesn’t stop harassing my mom, he’s going to have to deal with me.

He finally answers. “Hello?” His voice is rough and hoarse.

“If you ever come to the house again, or harass Mom again, I’ll fucking end you.”

There’s a long pause on his end of the line, then I hear grumbling noises.

“Del? Is that you?”

“Yeah.” My voice is hard.

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