Page 20 of Protecting Love

“Dad. She cheated on you,” Ian argued. “She purposely caused fights with you for years. I saw it. How could you not see it?”

He wasn’t going to lie. “I did see it. But you look past things at times.”

Because he felt guilty that half the time what Lorraine said was true.

He was gone a lot. He was working. Sometimes the job came first.

“You’re a better person than me. I wouldn’t put up with that for anyone.”

“And I hope you aren’t ever in that position,” he said.

They went back to cooking their dinner in silence.

It was better than trying to explain marital issues to a kid who got the short end of the stick.

When they were done, Ian brought his plate to the sink, rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher, then went for the pan he made the cheese sauce in.

Was it good? Yep.

Did he feel like he might be sick with all the fat sitting in his stomach?

Hell yeah.

“I’ve got it,” he said. “I appreciate you helping. We make a good team.”

Ian held his stare, then broke into a half smile. “Maybe I’ll see if there is something we can try this weekend.”

“You do that,” he said. “When I’m done with this, I’m going to hit the gym. Want to join me?”

He wouldn’t be bothered by the wariness in his son’s eyes. “Why? Because you think I’m weak and need to bulk up?”

He reached for his son’s bicep. “Nope. It’s getting there. You’re bigger than I was at sixteen. Just thought I was going down and offered for you to join me, but you can stay up here and play video games if you want.”

It hadn’t escaped his notice that his son was working out. Probably sneaking down to the gym in the building while he was at work all summer.

He might not do Ian’s laundry, but little things like his son’s sneakers were always left by the door. Not the casual ones that he wore around the city, but his trainers that were for gym class.

Or the athletic shorts and T-shirts he pulled out of the dryer when Ian forgot about them a few times.

“I wouldn’t mind going down,” Ian said.

“Then give me ten minutes to clean up and change. After that dinner, I need it.”

“It was good though,” Ian said. “Admit it.”

“It was great. Heavy, but great.”

“It’s not like you need to stay in shape like you did at your last job. Right?”

“Doesn’t mean I still don’t do it for my health.”

And his sanity.

“I guess. You really were skinnier than me at my age?”

“Yep. My arms. Man, the girls, they picked on me. In college I said no more. Had a gym on campus and put myself to work and never looked back.”

“I’m glad there is one here,” Ian said. “This place is so much nicer than our other place. It’s a bachelor’s pad.”