Page 132 of Fly Boy
“She’s going to be eighteen in a few months. Set to be a lawyer, if you can believe that. The kid’s smart.”
“How do you know all this?” I ask, dumbfounded. I knew she was around my age, but the law thing?
“As I said, your mom loves her. Speaks to her all the time.” He picks up some papers and taps them against his desk before stapling them together. Nodding to the pink keys, he says, “Take the rest of the day off when you’re done dropping off the car.”
Guess we’re done here, then.
I nod, head spinning, and tug at the zipper of the gray overalls covering my jeans and black t-shirt, letting them pool at my feet and then kicking them up, catching them mid-air. Dad watches as I grab Brittany’s keys, threading my finger through the metal hoop and twirling the pink pompom around. Crossing the small office, I hang my overalls on my designated peg before opening the small locker to grab my phone and wallet, shoving them into my pocket. My hand is on the office door handle, just about to pull it open, when Dad calls my name.
“Teddy?” I turn just as the metallic nail file soars through the air. I catch it and roll it around in my palm. “Don’t be that dickhead who leads girls on and fucks around on them.”
I pocket the file and stare back at my dad. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not fu—"
“I might have had a three-year-old by the time I was your age, but that didn’t stop me from getting out there, Son.” I close my eyes and shudder. The thought of my old man with anyone who is not my mom is... in fact, picturing my dad withanyoneis an image I never want in my brain. When I reopen my eyes, his have darkened as he continues. “But after what Cassandra did, I made sure I never treated anyone the same way. Your mom and I brought you up to be better than that.”
I nod, and suddenly the file in my pocket feels like a lead brick. I tilt my chin and knock against the door, signaling I’m headingout. Dad nods and gets back to work as I pull my phone out and shoot a quick text to the girl I have beenfucking aroundwith for the past few weeks. I need to end it with her. Especially now that it seems like she’s purposely damaging her car to see me. This was never part of the deal.
Teddy
Your car is ready for drop off. I will be at your place in fifteen, twenty minutes tops.
Brittany
My dad’s home. I’ll come to you. Text me your address so I can show my appreciation for all your hard work.
So maybe one more time won’t hurt.
