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That sounded like chaos, not help.
“I can’t decide if that’s a threat to get me to behave or if you think they’d just scare him off.” My response had Payton letting out a laugh.
“Both?” Shrugging, he kissed my cheek and seemed to be doing his best to look cute now that he felt like he’d won. “Let’s go. He’s just going to get more dramatic the longer you wait.”
Payton was not wrong about that…the old man’s tone was nearly shrill as he called out something unintelligible through the door.
God, he was such a pain in the ass.
“Alright, let’s go brave the dragon.” My description of the insanity had Payton nearly giggling as he climbed off my lap.
“Does that make me the knight?”
I scoffed. “I’m the knight but you can be the trusty steed I ride if you want.”
That had him going five different shades of red but at least he wasn’t worried any longer. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”
Hmm, that wasn’t a no.
Well, he had wanted to tell me about his results, and I had a good guess about what else he’d wanted to discuss.
“I do, but we’ll have that conversation later.” Giving his still pink cheeks a kiss, I took his hand and started leading him toward the drama dragon in my hallway. “I will not be angry or disappointed or anything like that if you decide escaping the crazy would be the safest option. Got it?”
“Yes, but I’m not going to leave you.” It seemed like Payton wouldn’t defend himself but he would protect me.
It was sweet and I wanted to just gather him up in my arms but first we had to get my father to realize he was making an ass out of himself. Then I was going to remind Amanda that she had to protect my boyfriend better when he was at work.
Someone had grabbed his ass.
That was not going to happen again, even if I had to talk to every idiot in a five-mile radius to make sure we were all on the same page.
Just realizing that someone had grabbed Payton’s ass because my father couldn’t get his head out of his ass and that I couldn’t stand up to the asshole in question pushed my frustration front and center.
Things were going to change.
Starting right then.
As we got to the door, I was feeling more confident but Payton had released my hand and eased his way behind me. He was stroking my back and making sure I knew he was still with me, though. “Just remember, walking away to fight another day is still a win.”
I wasn’t sure if he was reminding me of that or himself, but it was good to remember either way.
“We’ve got this, pet.” And I was going to remember to use his name so I didn’t embarrass him or make my father’s head explode.
Payton’s response was to take a deep breath as I reached for the door and unlocked it. He didn’t sound terribly confident with our half-assed plan, but he didn’t safeword either, so I kept going.
By the time I opened it, I’d found my resolve and a good blank face. I’d even managed to give my asshole father a raised eyebrow and look at him like he was nuts as I cocked my head. “What are you doing? Are you drunk?”
That did not make him any more reasonable but it was fun for me.
“Saving you from doing something stupid!” The way he was waving his hands around had me revisiting the drunk question again.
However, unfortunately, he seemed stupid but sober.
“You have a good thing going with Amanda and I’m not going to let you fuck this up.” His voice echoed throughout the building as he yelled, still losing his fucking marbles. “You’re lucky I talked your mother into staying home. What would she think if she saw your hussy hiding behind you?”
Hussy?
For fuck’s sake.
Even Payton was snickering as he tried to muffle his laughter against my back.
My father didn’t seem to find the humor in what he was saying, though. He just kept going on like a street corner preacher who thought the aliens were coming any day. “You’re not even trying to be discreet. The whole neighborhood is talking. A woman like that won’t put up with this shit. What are you thinking?”
He’d lost his fucking mind.
“What century are you in, old man? He’s my fucking partner, not my side piece. Amanda is gay, you idiot. You were there when she came out at that picnic.” That’d been a fucking mess but she’d always loved drama.
Throwing up his hands, my father refused to see reality, although his volume was starting to come down. “She likes attention and she’s just looking to keep you on your toes. You just need to stand up to her drama and settle the fuck down. I’ve been patient long enough. You’re going to screw up your life if you keep up this stupidity.”
