Page 102 of Returning Your Love
“Water. Please.”
Chaz kissed my temple and moved off again.
Babs sighed, hands over her heart. “You two are the sweetest. Makes my heart happy to finally see you together.”
“Same.”
“Congrats, Jamie.” Dexter squeezed me from the side.
“Hey, Dex.” I hugged him back. “Thanks.” I glanced around him, expecting Christian Cole to be lingering nearby. The two were always at each other’s throats, a rivalry I didn’t understand the roots of. Neither did Dad. But the eventual outcome was as clear as Dex’s flashing pearly whites. If they weren’t already fucking, they would be. Christian couldn’t keep his eyes off mydad’s best friend and vice versa. It was like a magnetic force flipped its switch constantly, pulling then pushing them away from each other.
Other people stepped in to offer their congratulations, and once Chaz finally returned with my lemon water, I was parched, my facial muscles hurting from smiling. But I wasn’t nearly done.
Something rested in my pocket, a titanium band, simplistic yet perfect.
Just like my man.
I glanced over at where he chatted with Kel and a guy I didn’t recognize. Old Man Ron and Addy stood with them, the first time I’d seen the two socializing outside Dig-In.
Chaz glanced my way as though feeling my stare. He looked me over from head to toes and back up again, tongue flicking over his lower lip. Blood seeped into my groin, thickening my cock.
Fucking tease was lucky I had to wear briefs beneath my uniform or the entire town would see how my man affected me.
I raised an eyebrow.
He did the same.
“You’re making me jealous.”
I turned to find Dad at my elbow, beer in hand. “Sorry?”
“Don’t be. I love seeing you happy.”
“Your man will show up one of these days,” I promised, envisioning a guy Dad’s age, maybe heartbroken and needing someone to hold him together. A kind soul, needy as fuck like Dad hoped for. I envisioned a peaceful, fulfilling existence for my father who deserved it more than anyone.
“Starting to think it’s not going to happen,” Dad muttered.
“Welcome to Frenchie’s!”
I glanced toward the door to see who the latecomer was, Dad turning along with me.
“Motherfucking…” Dad’s curse faded, and I blinked, taking in the sight of Elite Escort’s blond twink with the big blue eyes.
“Jimmy Riley,” I muttered, glancing over at Chaz to find him headed my way.
One—no,two—secrets I’d forgotten about. Sure, Chaz knew I wasn’t a virgin when we’d gotten together but having started an OnlyFans to pay for a sex worker?
“Shit,” Dad and I both whispered at the same time, my palms suddenly sweating.
I glanced at Dad, and he caught my eye before quickly turning his focus away.
“You okay?” Chaz grasped my elbow, pulling my full focus.
“Yeah, baby. Yeah.” But shit wasn’t. Those plans with that ring in my pocket just kicked the bucket. Yet another conversation lay ahead that had the potential to be more a crater than pothole. Definitely not something I could drop in Chaz’s lap considering where we stood and all the people around us.
Smirking like a cat in a bowl of cream, Dexter sauntered over, elbowing Dad with a knowing look in his eyes.
“Fucking hell,” Dad muttered and tipped back his beer, draining the rest. “Shut up and get me another,” he ordered, and Dex moved off, chuckling something about not saying a word.
