It still feels weird and a little uncomfortable, but I called Bill ‘Dad’ accidentally a few weeks ago, and he’s been calling me ‘Son’ ever since. He’s a great guy and loves Mom so much. He’s given us both a wonderful life and hasn’t ever looked down on the profession that I’ve chosen.
Of course, it wasn’t so easy the night that my mom found out that I hadn’t really gone to Rob Shultz’s house almost three years ago. She called Mrs. Shultz the second I walked out the door, confirming her immediate suspicions that I was lying to her. As soon as I got home, she grilled me about where I’d gone and why I felt like I couldn’t tell her the truth. So I stopped lying and told her everything.
I told her that I’d gone to find my father. She was crushed, like I had kicked her in the stomach. I told her that he hadn’t been there, and I had been strangely relieved. I honestly don’t know what I would have done if I’d seen him that day. The last time I saw him was when I was seven. That wasn’t a pleasant day, nor was it a great memory to have of your father who abandoned the only family he had. Mom told me it was for the best. I told her that the guys next door said he was in jail, and she nodded like she already knew that.
Who knows if he’s still in jail. I don’t really care. Even before he left us, my mother had taken over all of the parental responsibilities. She was both my mother and my father for so long. That is until Bill came along. He moved into our lives effortlessly.
I’m thankful for him and so happy that my mother ended up with the type of man she was meant to be with.
“Thanks,” I say to my parents as Bill gives me the best bro-hug he can imitate.
Tristan catches my eye, and he’s being followed by no less than a dozen girls. I smile and kiss my mom on the cheek. “Thanks for coming, but I—uh—I have to be somewhere.”
“Be careful, Garrett.” My mother looks disapprovingly toward Tristan and our first-ever groupies. “Those girls don’t look like they have your best interests in mind.”
Bill laughs out loud and squeezes my shoulder. “Claire, let him have fun. He’s a good kid.” He pats the back of my neck and pushes me toward Tristan. “Let’s go home.” He pulls my mother close and kisses her on the cheek.
“Dude!” Tristan yells after my parents leave the bar.
“Stop,” I say. “No need to make fun. They had a great time and now they’re gone.”
“I didn’t say anything. Them coming was nice and all, but it’s about time they left so we can have fun with the ladies.”
Several squeals come from his entourage, and I walk toward them. A short blonde catches my eye, and she flips her hair. “Hey,” she says, her voice soft.
“Hey.” Suddenly, I’m pulled backwards toward a booth in the corner. Dax says, “She’s off limits.”
“What?” I ask and slide into the booth across from him. “What do you mean she’s off limits? Since when do you have dibs?” I ask jokingly.
“No dude, she’s Bob’s niece.”
Bob is the bartender here at The High Note and, if I remember correctly, she’s only fifteen.
“What the fuck is she doing in here—looking like that?” She’s wearing the shortest shorts I’ve ever seen with half of her ass hanging out. Her tank top is way too small and her tits are practically spilling out the sides.
“Bob’s on vacation with her parents. She snuck out tonight with her very underage friends. Stay here while I grab Tristan before he gets arrested for what he’s about to do with the redhead.” Dax bolts out of the booth and sprints toward the girls surrounding Tristan.
Alex walks over and slides into Dax’s spot. “What’s with all of that?” he asks and gestures toward the group.
“Something about Bob’s niece and her friends. Whatever,” I say and toss some popcorn from the bowl in between us into my mouth.
“Shit, Bob is going to kill him.” He looks over at Tristan, who’s now flanked by both Bob’s niece and the redhead. We watch as Dax whispers into Tristan’s ear and his face suddenly turns white.
I practically choke on the popcorn just watching his expression. I can read his lips perfectly as he says, “No shit.”