





Weβd barely taken one step when Cynicβs phone rang. He let go of me to grab the phone. βThatβs Harβs ringtone. I gotta take this.β
He stepped further down the hallway, leaving me with his parents.
βIβve got to use the restroom. Iβll be right back, dear,β Teresa said.
Irv stood when she did. I debated going with her, but I had no need.
Irv stepped a little closer. βIβm glad we have this moment. If you havenβt figured it out, I like you for him. The last eight years have been difficult, not just for him, but for his mother and me. We want him to be happy, and I know, for some people, marriage isnβt for them.β
I nodded, and faintly drawled, βRight.β
βMy boy isnβt one of those people. He was happy as a clam with Jessica. She stomped his heart flat with what she did.β
I gave him a closed-lip smile. βI know, sir, and it took quite a bit to convince Cynic that I wouldnβt do anything like that to him.β
He stared into my eyes for a long, uncomfortable moment before he finally spoke. βSee that you donβt. Youβre beautiful and appear to make him happy, but if you betray him like that, itβll break him.β
βI did not just hear you,β Cynic ground out in a sinister voice.
I turned around and put a hand to his chest. But he only had eyes for his pop. Still, I said, βCalm down. He didnβt do anything wrong, honey.β
That got me his angry eyes. βHe didnβt? Warning you not to betray me isnβt wrong?β He looked past me to his dad, but said, βIt isnβt his place to do that shit.β
I rubbed his name patch on his cut. βIsnβt it though? Youβll always be his son, no matter your age. Family looks out for family, βNic.β
His chin dipped down and he looked into my eyes. The anger had dissipated. βHe doesnβt need to.β
My lips quirked to the side skeptically. βThat doesnβt matter. He loves you. Itβs what parents do.β
βWhatβs going on?β Teresa asked as she walked up to us.
βDadβs oversteppingβ¦ as usual.β
βHe is not,β I whispered.
βI was. I am. And Iβll do it again,β Irv said, clapping Cynic on the bicep.




















































