Page 33 of The Neighbor's Son

“Didn’t mean to freak you out.” He crosses his arms over his solid chest and comes to stand beside me. “Are you going out? You’re dressed up. I didn’t even know you owned a nice shirt.”

“I have a date,” I grumble. “Shirt is new. Trying to impress my girl.”

Great.

Now I’ve piqued his interest.

He looks out the open window as if he can see the girl I have my boxers tied in knots over. All he needs to do is look next door.

“Who is she?” Dad asks. “One of Savvy’s friends?”

I’m surprised Cole didn’t tell him. Since he didn’t, that earns points for Cole in my book. Everyone in this complex is nosey and talks, so I figured it was a given.

“No. The neighbor.”

I glance over at him as he frowns, clearly thinking about which neighbor it might be.

“Who?”

He really is clueless.

Fuck.

“Casey.” I stiffen, waiting for whatever negative thing he as to say.

“Derek’s Casey?”

“She’s not his anymore,” I growl, facing off with my father. “Don’t ever say that shit again.”

His eyes widen, clearly taken aback by my outburst. I’m protective over her. I certainly don’t like having her ex still claim her despite having left her.

She’s mine now.

Dad rubs at his temple as if this isn’t computing in his brain. “But she’s so much older.”

“So?”

“You’re in fucking high school, Brayden. You’re just a kid.”

Why does everyone say this to me? It’s the most annoying shit ever. When I’m with Casey, I don’t feel like a damn kid.

“Are you done?” I ask, voice cool. “Because I’m done hearing it.”

“I’ll walk back that statement,” Dad says, voice gruff, “but don’t be an asshole. It’s not like you. That’s more your mother’s speed.”

He’s not wrong.

“Sorry. I just really like her and I’m tired of getting told she’s too old for me. I’m not an idiot. I can handle my dating life just fine.”

“Have you, uh, you know…”

For fuck’s sake, not him too.

“None of your business, but no.”

“Promise me you’ll wrap it up, Bray,” Dad says in his most dad tone ever. “I’m too young to be a grandpa.”

As soon as he makes that statement, the vision forms in my head. Casey in a pretty sundress, bare feet in the grass, holding her belly that’s swollen with my child. I would take such good care of both of them.

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