“You know I try not to say anything bad about your parents,” he starts, making me laugh.
“You wouldn’t be saying anything I haven’t thought a time or two.”
He nods, understanding me more than anyone else on the planet. “Fuck them.”
“Yep,” I reply, taking a drink of the bottled water I set on the counter. There’s a sense of peace that washes over me. I’ve come to terms with how I was raised and the fact I don’t have a relationship with my parents the way I want. Does it hurt? Hell yes, it still hurts, but I can’t change it. I can’t change them. So, why try?
Instead, I focus on me, on what makes me happy, and where I want my life to go. I’ll always be appreciative of the past that shaped me, but I refuse to let it define me. I’m a better man because of it, and someday, I’ll be the best damn dad who ever walked this earth. If that opportunity ever arises. Why? Because I know firsthand how not to be a parent.
My kid will never feel like they’re unwanted.
Lifting my chin, I can’t help but repeat Camden’s words. “Fuck them.”
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
Charli
“Why are you so pissy?”
I look across the small bistro table at Sommer and exhale. “I’m not.”
She laughs at me, obviously not believing me for a second, and sips her iced coffee. “You are. You’ve been mumbling to yourself for the last two minutes and tore the hell out of the napkin in your hand.”
I glance down and realize she’s right. The napkin I received with my muffin is torn into tiny shreds of paper. Sighing, I sweep the confetti into the palm of my hand and walk over to the trash can to dispose of it. When I drop back down in my chair, I lean forward, ready to spill my guts.
Sommer knows it’s coming too, because she leans in so we’re not overheard.
“I slept with him again.”
She rolls her eyes. “Of course you did. I could practically feel the Big Dick Energy pouring out of him last night while we were shooting pool. I’m actually surprised you didn’t sneak off to one of the supply closets or up to Lizzie’s apartment upstairs beforethe end of the night. The fact you made it all the way back to your condo tells me your willpower is much stronger than I expected.”
“Sommer, I can’t keep doing this.”
“What? Feeding the kitty?” she teases, a smirk on her face.
“This isn’t funny,” I mutter, taking a long pull from my straw and sighing when the sweet cream and caramel iced coffee hits my tongue.
“I’m not laughing. I’m actually jealous,” she whispers.
I cross my legs beneath the table and then recross them the other way. “The worst part is, after…you know, I wanted him to stay.” The confession feels massive, leaving me vulnerable and afraid.
“Well, if the sex is as good as you’ve insinuated, I’d consider asking him to stay too,” she reasons.
“No, Sommer. I mean, yes, the sex is out of this world, but that’s not why I wanted him to stay.” I take a deep breath and whisper my truth, “I wanted him to cuddle me.”
Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open. “Holy shit!”
“Yeah,” I mutter, taking another long sip of my drink. At this rate, I’m going to need a second one very soon.
“But…you hate snuggling,” she proclaims quietly.
“I know!”
“Wow, he must have some voodoo dick or something,” she blurts out, and fortunately, there’s no one else at the coffee shop at this point on Sunday afternoon. But there’s still a snicker, and I’m pretty sure it comes from the young woman working behind the counter.
“Keep it down,” I whisper just as the door opens.
