Always the One (Always and Forever 1)

“Son. I’ve missed you.” His hug takes me back to when I was a little boy. He would teach me new things, giving me a hug anytime I learned how to do it right. He’s the definition of the greatest dad.

No one understands our relationship because no one was with us in that home. No one was there when my mom would come home drunk or hungover, with the smell of another man’s cologne on her. No one saw the way my dad would fall to his knees and beg my mother to love him and stop leaving every night. No one was there when my dad watched her walk out for good. No one, not one person, but him and me. This has made our bond so much stronger. We’ve been through fucking hell together. You can’t break what we’ve built.

“I’ve missed you too, Dad. Sorry I haven’t been out to see you, things have been crazy. We just took on three more bands.” He nods in understanding, turning us toward the door.

“Come in, bud, and we can catch up. Kathy made us some lunch.” Kathy is my dad’s wife; they’ve been married for seven years. Most kids hate when their parents remarry but not me. She is a queen to my dad, treating him better than anyone ever has, and I thank her for being his rock for the past several years. I consider her my mother and never once did she force that on me. I welcomed her with open arms because she was the first person, besides me, to put a real smile on my dad’s face again. Any woman that could do that for my dad got my seal of approval.

I follow behind him, shutting the door and taking in the familiar smell of cookies. Kathy makes cookies every time I come to visit. It’s her way of being a mother without being too invasive.

“Kathy, honey, Trey’s here!” my dad hollers as we make our way toward the kitchen at the end of the entry hall.

“Oh, yay! The cookies are ready and so are the sandwiches, but you can have cookies first because this is a special occasion,” she finishes as we enter the kitchen. I smile at the sight before me. Kathy is a short, brunette spitfire with brown eyes that can cut you if you cross something or someone she loves. My only memories of a mother that don’t hurt are from her.

“Hey, Mama Kathy, it smells amazing in here.” At six foot two I tower over her five foot three frame as I lean down to kiss her cheek.

“Thanks, baby, I try. I made your favorite! White macadamia nut,” she says, clapping her hands together in excitement.

She really is a blessing to our lives. Whenever she and my dad are in the same room, his eyes are on her. They never leave her unless she leaves the room, even if he isn’t talking to her and the room is crowded. It’s fucking beautiful and reminds me that this is what I wish I saw growing up, but instead I saw poison. No wonder I wasted so many years fighting my feelings for Shayla. How could I not?

“Thanks, I’m starving, so I’m going to steal one.” She winks at me, and I take a bite of the warm cookie. My mouth waters, it’s warm and gooey, just like I like them, just like I bet Shayla’s pussy tastes. I calm myself down before my parents see a raging tent in my jeans.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell your dad that you’re spoiling your lunch,” she whispers in her soft voice, acting like my dad really can’t hear her. She really is something. Truly amazing.

“I can hear you, beautiful. You never were good at keeping secrets.”

Looking back at my dad over the kitchen counter, I smile. He’s still a stud with mad game. What can I say? I learn from the best.

“Charles, you don’t know me that well then, because I have plenty of secrets.” I watch him cross the kitchen fast, coming up behind her and grabbing her gently on the sides, making her giggle. He kisses her neck as she tries to break from his hold, but when he pulls her back to his front in a bear hug, she relaxes into him.

“You have secrets, huh, Well, maybe later I’ll have to force them out of you.” I watch him bite her lip and she goes stiff, and I know it’s because I’m in the room. In no way does my dad showing his wife affection make me uncomfortable, I’m the same way with Shayla. Shit,

even with her brother around.

“Charles, back up. Our boy’s here and we don’t want to literally spoil his lunch.” My dad laughs and kisses her one more time on the cheek before stepping back to give me his attention.

“Let’s let Kat finish prepping the plates and we’ll go talk out back.” We grab a couple of glasses of water and make our way out to the patio, settling on the chairs by the fire pit. I sit quietly and wait for him to say something first.

Feeling my phone vibrate, I reach into the pocket of my jeans while adjusting my ball cap, putting it on backward. My heart constricts when I read Shay’s new name in my phone. I’ve become that classic love-struck fool—hearts, flowers, and all the sappy shit.

Baby girl: I woke up and you were gone. I’d much rather wake up to your perfect…bed head.

Me: My bed head, huh? I thought you liked my nice six-pack, but that works, too.

Baby girl: You have a six-pack? I never even noticed.

Me: You’ll be spanked for that one.

Baby girl: I’ll be waiting. Now hurry back, I’m cooking dinner for all of us, and tell your dad I say hi! See ya tonight, drive safe. xoxo.

Me: See ya, baby.

“What’s her name?” I’m brought back to the present when my dad notices me smiling like a cheeseball. I look up at the sky, not even sure where I should begin. Shay and I are a fucking whirlwind of how the fuck did this actually happen, and I don’t know if I can explain in detail what’s going on because I’m still trying to process it.

“Dad, it’s not just a girl, it’s the girl.” I pause. He reaches over and squeezes my upper arm, letting me know that it’s okay and he’s ready to help me through this.

“Dad, I’m with Shayla. No, actually, I’m in love with Shayla.” Dropping my head back down, I bury my face in my hands, using my thumbs to rub my temples in hopes it’ll relieve some of the pressure. I thought he was going to be shocked, but I’m the shocked one when he starts laughing at me. My head shoots up, and I squint my eyes at him. What’s going on? Why does everyone laugh when I tell them about us?

“Son, seriously, it’s about damn time.”