Page 139 of Call Me Mrs. Taylor

A heavy hand touches my shoulder. One that’s meted out a lot of discipline in my life, along with affection, occasionally. I turn, ready to get this shit over with, and my father’s bloodshot eyes greet me.

“Can we talk?”

I give Kam’s shoulder a squeeze, then nod to my father, following him outside into the smoky night air. We move a few feet away from the activity, landing in a dark spot by some trees.

“I guess she told you,” is the first thing he says.

I stare blankly.

“I’ma preface this by saying I know I was wrong for even being over there.”

“Yeah,” I say. “Let’s start with that.”

He nods. “I felt sorry for her. I really did. You had broken up with her—“

“Which y’all were all too happy to see me do,” I remind him.

“That’s neither here nor there,” he says. “She was upset when she came by the dealership. She told you that part, too, right?”

I nod, crossing my arms in front of me.

“I wanted to help her out. That’s all.”

“How’d we get from helping her out to you putting your fucking lips on her?”

His face falls before his expression hardens, his eyes narrowing to slits. “Watch your mouth, boy. I’m still your daddy.”

I shrug. “You gotta be respectful if you want respect, Pop. What you did don’t qualify.”

He crosses his arms, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I already said I shouldn’t have been there. I own that. But as far as us kissing…that ain’t all on me.”

My teeth grit, sending pain shooting through my head. “What are you trying to say?”

He blows out a breath. “I’m sorry, Ace. I’m real fucking sorry.” He’s silent for a while. “I was attracted to her. I saw her on those videos and, I don’t know…something about her…it drew me in. You know what I’m saying?”

Of course I know. That’s why I’m in the fucking predicament I’m in now, trapped in her web, no escape, not even sure Iwannaescape.

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” I tell him. “You been eyeing other women since I was a kid.”

“I know.” He shakes his head. “But I’ve never cheated on your mother. I put that on everything.”

My face balls up. “Is that supposed to mean something to me? Right now?”

“I know. I know.” He stares down at the ground, kicking a rock across the grass. “Look, I fucked up. I did. But that girl…I don’t know what kinda game she’s playing, but you need to watch her. When she kissed me—“

“Kissedyou?” I bark out a laugh. “Bullshit.”

“I’m serious,” he says. “She flirted. Real slick with it, too. She was leading me on, Ace. Then she kissed me.”

I shake my head. “You out your mind, man.”

“Am I?” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, side to side. “You think your girl is innocent in all this? And why is she in your house if y’all are broken up?

“That’s my business,” I snap.

“Fair enough.” He exhales, his tone softening. “Ace, I swear to you—I didn’t start it. I was weak. I was stupid for letting it happen. But I didn’t start it. And when I tried to stop it, she flipped out on me. Like I was the one chasingher.” He drags a hand down his face. “I’m ashamed of what I did, but don’t think for a second that she’s some innocent little lamb.”

I stare at him, my jaw tight, my mind racing. I’m so fucking pissed I can barely breathe right, and part of it is directed at myself. Because I know Raya. I know how she moves. I’ve seen her manipulate. And she always gets what she wants.

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