Page 19 of Protecting Love

Ian shrugged.

That could mean many things. He didn’t want to guess.

This was harder than his job was.

“Got any of your friends in your classes?” he asked.

“A few,” Ian said, concentrating more on the food.

He’d try a different tactic. “See any other recipes you want to try? Maybe we can this weekend?”

“Really?” Ian asked, turning to look at him.

“Sure. I don’t mind sharing this chore.”

Ian snorted. “That’s just your way of getting out of it.”

He smirked. “As the father of the house, it’s my right to get out of it, but that’s not the case at all. You’re sixteen now. You need to have some responsibilities.” He put his hand up when Ian opened his mouth. “And you do. You do a lot around here and I appreciate it.”

His son did his own laundry. He picked up after himself most times, but his room was a mess.

He gave up on that. The kid deserved to have one space be his and be the way it felt the most comfortable.

As long as it didn’t stink and nothing was being destroyed, he’d keep his mouth shut.

It wasn’t as if Fletcher had to sleep in the room or that they had any guests over. At least he didn’t, but Ian had friends who came over.

“Thanks,” Ian mumbled. “Mom never paid attention to anything I did.”

He didn’t want to go down that road again, but he wouldn’t shut his son down.

“Have you talked to her lately?”

It was the only time this came up.

“She called earlier. She wanted to know how school was. I told her I doubt she cared.”

“That’s not true.”

“She only calls when she’s alone. She even said Zach was out of town for work.”

He sighed. His ex’s new husband was a political consultant. Someone she’d met after they’d divorced.

Lorraine didn’t seem to emotionally bond to the guys she was screwing behind his back. It was only physical to her.

But Zach was different. Zach could give her the life she said she wanted.

Didn’t seem it was much different from his job since the new husband was on the road more once they moved to DC.

Not his problem.

“If she’s trying, then maybe you should too.”

“I’m not sure why I have to try. She’s the whore.”

He couldn’t bite his tongue. He might have wanted to agree, but he wouldn’t do it in front of Ian.

“Hey. What happened between your mom and I is between us.”