He lives in the same town as Callie and Payton? Holy fuck, what a small world.
“I’ll be over in twenty, okay?” I can hear him pacing across a squeaky floor.
“You don’t have to.” I tell him, even if I really want him to.
***
Fifteen minutes later, I'm walking in the living room. “Dad?” I say, causing him to look in my direction.
“Hey, sweetie. Are you okay?” Throwing the fluffy blanket that was draped across him and Sabrina, he stands.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” we all know that’s a total lie. “I uh, I was wondering if one of my friends could come over?”
It’s a little too late to ask considering Greyson is currently on route.
“The girls? Of course,” he smiles. “They’re always welcome here.”
“Not the girls,” I shake my head. “Uh, it’s a boy…Greyson.”
“Greyson, huh?” He smirks. “And would Greyson happen to be your boyfriend?”
Fake boyfriend, but I don’t tell him that.
“No,” I shake my head. “He’s just a friend.”
Before he has the chance to reply, the doorbell rings and I sprint toward the door, opening it to see Greyson standing there.
“Lil-Bug.” Is the first thing he says when he sees me.
I smile at him before stepping across the threshold and wrapping my arms around his waist.
Fuck, why do I feel so safe in his arms?
“Friend, huh?” Dad’s chuckle comes from behind me.
My cheeks flush as I pull away from the hug. Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear awkwardly, I look at Greyson. “This is my dad, Nathanial,” I gesture with my hand toward him. “And dad, this is myfriend, Greyson.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Sir.” Greyson greets him, extending his hand forward.
Dad looks at me and grins as he leans forward, clasping his hand in Greyson’s. “It’s Nathanial or Nate, none of that sir or Mr. Jackson shit.” Dad tells him.
“Okay.” Greyson chuckles.
I could feel dad staring him down, sizing him up to see if he’s a threat to me. And as much as I love my dad for doing it, I can see how awkward Greyson is finding this interaction. And I don’t want him to feel awkward.
“Right!” I say, grabbing a hold of Greyson’s hand and dragging us inside. “We’ll be upstairs.”
“Wait!” Dad says, running off into his office and returning a second later with something in his hand. “So I don’t become a grandfather at forty-two.” He hands an unopened box of condoms to Greyson.
“Omg, dad!” I gasp, embarrassment seeping in.
Grabbing the condoms from Greyson’s hand, I shove them into dad’s chest—the same dad who’s currently laughing his head off thinking this conversation is hilarious.
“You’re so embarrassing,” I grumble, cheeks tinting red as I pull Greyson up the stairs with me. “I’m so sorry about him.”
Greyson chuckles. “I like your dad.”
“Yeah, me too,” I shake my head. “But not when he’s trying to embarrass me like that.”
