Top Dog

“You’re wrong!” She yelled playfully behind us as I followed my Dad. It was nice to see that he had a regular relationship with someone, but he always had that with my Mom. They were friends, lovers, partners in all things.

It’s the type of relationship I wanted my whole life, the type of relationship I could see myself in with a man like Harley.

“Right this way,” my Dad said and moved back. “And tell me now… is this about Harley?”

I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him. “Yes. Why?”

“Lauren. You’re needed in here with us.” He left the door open and walked to his black leather couch, dropping down and letting out a long sigh.

“And why does Mom need to be in here?”

“Because,” he gave me a stern look, ?

??Your Mom and I have been discussing you and Harley for the last two days, sleeping beauty. It’s not right.”

“What about Harley and me?” My voice rose as heat scorched my chest. This wasn’t going to go well. It never did with my Dad.

“About whatever happened between the two of you over in Madrid, baby.” My Mom walked in and stopped beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “We could tell something was up, and your Dad saw you kiss him.”

“He saved my fucking life.” I pulled away from her as tears burned my vision.

“Watch your language,” my Dad barked out.

“Robert. She’s hurting. Leave her be.” My Mom wrapped me in a tight hug and kissed the top of my head. Of course she was going to treat me like a child. I was acting like one. “You know that we love you.”

I pulled back and glanced up at her. “Yes, well then, let me live my life. Please?”

“Your Dad and I have reservations about you being with someone like Harley.” She brushed my tears away.

“Like?” I glanced over at my Dad. The conversation was really with him. My Mom was just cannon fodder of sorts.

“Like him being ten years older than you,” my Dad lifted his fingers, counting off the things wrong with me and Harley like he was working on a how-to manual, “and he has a tormented past, and he’s not a relationship kind of guy. He’s killed people before, baby.”

“Dad. You have a tormented past. Just because you fought for freedom in a different way doesn’t mean you haven’t seen some crazy shit.” I pulled out of my Mom’s hold and walked over to my Dad. “Don’t make me choose between you and him. I’m tired of always having to let go of the things I want most to prove my dedication and respect to you. I’m twenty-two years old!”

“Robert.” My Mom moved up beside him and patted him on the chest. “Go check on the roast. I want to take this conversation with Abi, okay?”

My Dad glanced over at her, his jaw locked. Surprisingly enough, he nodded and walked out of the room without a word.

She turned and smiled. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

I dropped down on the chair beside me, feeling so incredibly deflated all of a sudden. “I don’t know, Mom, but I… I…”

“You want him in your life?” She sat down next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“Yes.” I glanced over at her. “And I gave him my virginity. I don’t want that to be it between us. He was so gentle and loving. I can’t just walk away from this. I can’t.”

“Then don’t.” My Mom kissed my shoulder, taking my v-card confession much better than I thought. “But understand that he’s nothing like you. He’s a different type of person, baby, and he’s much older than you. I don’t want you getting your feelings hurt if he’s not willing to start a relationship with you.”

“I have to try.” I leaned against her and closed my eyes. “I have to.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - HARLEY

The text from Abi that she wanted to meet later that afternoon in town was a bit of a surprise, and a huge ass relief. After talking things through with my Mom, I knew I had to try and see the girl again. Even if it turned out we were now just friends. I wanted her in my life.

I drove the back roads to the quaint little bookstore that she’d given me the address to. It wasn’t a place I’d haunted before, but I was willing to go to a pantie store in the middle of the mall if it meant checking on her.

She’d taken up residence in my dreams and had me waking up each night with a throbbing hard-on and sweat trickling down my face and chest. How in the world I’d fallen for a sweet, simple, innocent girl was beyond me. I’d always thought I would end up a bachelor for life, but in the last few days, I’d come up with a hundred different scenarios for my future, and none of them were without her.