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“I will make sure he knows that,” I told Laney. I had every intention of going over to the tavern that afternoon, but things got crazy with my two jobs. I barely had time to think and decided it would be better to wait for a day when he was off to speak with him. Sadly, that didn’t happen either, as the family decided to have a picnic on Sunday, and I was busy the entire day.
That did allow me to have a chat with my brothers, though. “How dare you two do that to me. You had no right to not only go behind my back but Laney’s and warn Mike off of me.”
“We were just looking out for you,” Ethan stated, and Riley piqued a brow.
“What did you do now, Ethan?”
“Nothing. Candy was getting in way over her head, and we got her out of it.”
“No, you didn’t!” I snapped at him and turned to Riley. “I am helping Mike Bollard purchase the tavern. Laney and I both are.”
“No, you are not,” Evan added, and I glared at him.
“You have no right to tell me what I can and can’t do.”
Ethan stepped forward. “The papers have already been started. Laney is taking on the whole buy-in amount. That way, you don’t have to lose anything or a reason to be tied to that guy.”
“That guy? Are you kidding me, Ethan! I happen to like that guy!”
“Whoa.” Riley put her hand up. “Are you saying you’ve been knocking boots with Bollard?”
“Yes, I have.”
“And that is over.” Evan barked.
“You are not my father! Neither of you can tell me who I can sleep with and who I can’t. Even if you were my father, you wouldn’t have any say in the matter!”
“Did I hear my name?” My father put his hand on my shoulder.
“Dad, it’s nothing to worry about.”
“If it’s nothing to worry about, why are you all screaming at each other? It’s like you are all in your teens again.”
“Because Candy tried to get herself in over her head, and she’s pissed off that we stepped in to protect her,” Evan stated.
“Is that true?” he asked me.
“Dad, I knew exactly what I was doing. These jerks had no right to get involved.”
He sighed and took my arm. “I think you and I need to have a chat.”
I rolled my eyes. “No, I don’t want to drag you into this.”
He stared at me. “Rolo, honey, come sit down with me and talk to me. Help me understand what is going on so I can help you.”
I hadn’t had one of those candies in a long time. “Fine.” I glanced over my shoulder and hissed, “But I am not done with you idiots!”
As we walked away, I heard Riley say, “Was she really sleeping with Bollard?”
My father and I went inside and into the living room, where he always liked having serious conversations with his children. I took my place across from him, and without him asking, I started telling him the story. Not just the good parts, but the gist of the dirty parts too. My father understood we were all adults and having sex.
When I finished, I sat back and waited. “I understand their concern.”
“Dad.” He put his hand up to stop me.
“But just because I understand it, I do not condone what and how they did it. That was wrong. I do agree with you. What you do with your hard-earned money is your decision, not theirs.”
“So you don’t think being an owner at the tavern is bad?”
