My Boyfriend's Dad, page 5
His blue eyes, searing into mine, blaze with silent passion. My heart flutters like a caged bird. I know this is only our first official date, and I know that he’s the father of my ex-boyfriend. But could what we have actually be something real?
6
Lucy
* * *
When the radio plays my favorite song, it’s like the whole universe has aligned. The ditty is a popular new one, so of course it gets a lot of airtime, but it still feels like it’s being broadcasted just for me. Whenever it comes on, the whole world stops. It’s just me, my air guitar, and the music.
So when my favorite song starts to play on my way to my favorite restaurant in town to meet my best friend, it’s like I’ve achieved nirvana. I immediately roll down my car windows and turn the radio way up.
“Yes!” I shout, pumping my fist into the air as the opening guitar riff licks the airwaves. This is definitely going to be a perfect day. I get to see Sarah to catch up, and I have sooo much to tell her.
After all, things have been going swimmingly well. I passed my exams with flying colors; I’ve barely seen Jasper in the halls at school; I’m having plenty of good hair days; and, most importantly of all, my relationship with Brandon is like something out of a movie. We’re keeping it on the downlow, of course, because neither of us is ready for the gossip that would ensue if someone knew I was dating my ex’s dad. But that hasn’t stopped our relationship from blossoming into something truly beautiful.
Even more surprising, things are really serious. When I first told Brandon I loved him, about a month ago, we were on a walk by a pond a few towns over. He’d brought a loaf of bread and was tearing chunks off to feed to the ducks. Seeing this gorgeous, successful man kneeling by the water, grinning as ducks frantically swam up to him, made my heart melt. He’s somehow strong, commanding, and yet gentle all at the same time.
“Brandon, I love you,” I whispered to his back, half expecting him not to hear. But the gorgeous man looked over his shoulder so quickly that I worried he’d fall into the water.
“Did you just say what I think you said?”
I giggled, blushing furiously. “Um, yes.”
He stood up, brushing grass from his pant legs, and swept me into his strong arms. “Miss Lucy Church,” he murmured into my ear, “I love you too. Thank you for coming into my life, baby.”
My heart’s pumping with renewed joy when I’m brought back into the present by the chorus of my favorite song. Stopping at a red light, I sing the lyrics at the top of my lungs, completing my performance with hair flipping and dramatic gestures. I’m sure the cars stopped next to me are staring, but who cares? I’m a woman in love, and I’ve got a man who makes me indescribably happy.
When the song ends, my good mood persists. I check myself out in the mirror as I pull into the restaurant parking lot. Damn, Lucy, love looks good on you, I think appreciatively to myself. My hair has great volume, my skin is clear and rosy, and my eyes seem to have a new sparkle to them. I hope that my bestie is just as impressed as I am.
Sarah doesn’t disappoint.
“Lucy!” she squeals as I enter the restaurant, where she’s waiting for me by the front door. “You look uh-mazing!” She throws her arms around me and I squeeze her tightly back. We don’t have any classes together this semester and haven’t been seeing each other as much lately, so it’s so good to go in for a hug. My best friend is just like me. We’re both curvy girls with curly brown hair, although her locks are more of a chestnut as opposed to my dark brown.
“Seriously, girl,” she gushes, stepping back for a moment, “why do you look so good? Are you wearing new makeup or something?”
I laugh, grateful for the compliments and for my best friend’s company. “Barely any makeup, actually, as per usual,” I reply. “I dunno. I think I’m just feeling really happy, you know?” We sit down at a booth and order a round of Cokes as her dark eyes continue to survey me with wonder. Then my friend beams at me.
“I’m so glad to hear that because I was worried about you when the whole Jasper shit hit the fan. I know you took it really hard, but it seems like you’ve totally bounced back lately.” She leans forward with her chin cupped in her palm. “What’s your secret?”
I laugh. “I’ll tell you in a second. Let’s get our food first because I’m starving!”
I’m torn between a big juicy burger and an enormous green salad, and decide to compromise with the burger and a side salad. Sarah orders the same. Again, she’s voluptuous, just like me, but my buddy is way more comfortable with her body. I have to admit, though, that ever since I’ve been with Brandon, I’ve learned to appreciate my curves more. My boyfriend so obviously worships them that it’s hard not to flaunt them sometimes.
Our salads arrive and we dig in as we continue chatting. Sarah’s been casually dating a new guy at our school, Logan, and tells me all about him. He sounds nice, and she likes him a lot, so I guess he’ll get the best friend seal of approval.
“What about you?” she asks, looking at me pointedly. “Come on, girlfriend, there’s no way you’re not seeing someone new. You’re practically glowing. Is it someone I know?”
I try to think for a moment. Has Sarah met Brandon before? It’s possible, seeing that we’re classmates with Jasper.
“There is someone,” I admit with a blush.
She raises a brow. “Someone at school?”
“Nope,” I say. I’m starting to get nervous. I’ve made the decision to tell Sarah about my new relationship, but that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to go well. After all, Brandon’s so much older than me, and he’s literally my ex’s dad. What if she warns me away? What if she judges me? What if she thinks it’s a terrible idea?
Then again, I trust Sarah with all of my deepest, darkest secrets, and I’m confident she’ll be kind, even if she disapproves. Meanwhile, my friend begins bouncing up and down in her seat.
“Ooh, is it someone at Rutgers?” We live in New Jersey, and a lot of senior girls end up dating guys from the local university. When I shake my head, she throws her hands up. “C’mon, Lucy, you’ve got to tell me! You know I’m going to find out eventually, anyway.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, nervously stirring my straw around my Diet Coke. “Um, did you ever meet Jasper’s dad, Brandon?”
Looking confused, Sarah shakes her head. “I don’t think so. What, does he have another son? Oh my God, are you dating Jasper’s brother?” she asks, scandalized. When I don’t respond, she shakes her head. “I don’t get it, Luce. If not Jasper’s brother, then whom?”
“Okay,” I whisper. “Just promise not to judge me, okay?”
“I would never judge you,” Sarah vows, her expression serious. “You know that.”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “I’m not dating Jasper’s brother because he doesn’t have a brother. He’s an only child, remember? But I am dating Brandon, Jasper’s dad.”
Sarah doesn’t say anything for a long beat, just staring at me slack-jawed. Then, she takes a very deliberate sip of her Coke. I squirm in my seat, dreading what she’s going to say. Finally, she says in a choked voice, “Jasper’s dad?”
I nod mutely.
“Is he… How old is he?”
I swallow. “Forty-five.”
Sarah nods slowly, obviously trying to digest this shocking information. “Jasper’s dad. Your ex-boyfriend’s father. Okay. Um. Wow, Luce, I’m actually at a loss for words.”
I feel tears welling up in my eyes. Sarah must notice because she suddenly seizes my hand. “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry!” she cries. “I swear to God I’m not judging you or thinking badly of you. I just need a second to wrap my head around this.”
“You promise?” I snivel.
“I promise.” She gives my hand a tight squeeze. “Now tell me all about your new guy. Is he as hot as Jasper?”
I smile tentatively. “Girlfriend, Brandon is waaaay hotter.”
I try my best to describe someone as magnificent as my boyfriend. How do I explain Brandon’s commanding ways and air of confidence, but also his tender and gentle heart? How do I put into words how safe and secure I’ve felt around him for the past several months? I can’t possibly articulate how his dark hair waves against his forehead, or the way his eyes shine first thing in the morning when he wakes up and smiles at me. But I wax as poetic as possible, not caring that I’m gushing.
By the end of my monologue, Sarah is staring slack-jawed at me again.
“Holy shit,” she breathes. “You really are in love, aren’t you?”
I smile. “Yeah. I really am. And he is, too. We’ve even talked about starting a family together, and you know how important that is to me.”
She gasps. “You have? But that’s huge, Luce! I’m so glad.”
Our burgers arrive and we take a moment to start eating. When I next look up at Sarah, though, she’s looking pensive.
“What’s on your mind?” I ask between bites. “Aren’t you happy for me? You know I’ve wanted kids for a long time now. The whole college thing isn’t really my path, although you wouldn’t think it from how hard I’ve been studying,” I add with a wry smile.
“Yes, of course I’m happy for you,” my friend says quickly. “It’s just that aren’t you nervous that he’s so much older? Why isn’t Brandon dating women his own age?”
“Actually,” I say slowly, “it’s not his age that makes me nervous. It’s the fact that Brandon wasn’t even really dating anyone when we met.” I lower my voice then. “He was actually using escorts.”
“What?!” Sarah puts her burger down, her eyes wide. “Hold on. Instead of dating, Brandon Walsh was banging prostitutes on the reg?”
I wince at the word ‘prostitutes’ and nod. “It sounds bad when you put it that way, but essentially, yes. But it totally doesn’t worry me anymore,” I hasten to add. “He just hired them because dating was such a hassle and he felt like the women he met just wanted to use him for his money. He definitely isn’t hooking up with working girls anymore.”
Sarah, however, looks unconvinced. “That’s pretty sketchy, though, you have to admit,” she says. “I mean, that’s a pretty weird habit to pick up right?”
I stare at her.
“You mean, using escorts?”
She nods.
“Well, yes. Do you know anyone who uses escorts?”
I swallow heavily.
“No, but we don’t know that kind of person, Sarah. Brandon’s different. He’s rich, and he’s single, and well, I mean …”
My words trail off because I realize I’m making excuses for the man I love. But Sarah merely nods.
“I just want you to be careful, sweetie. Brandon Walsh may be a nice guy, but it sounds like you’re out of your depths a little.”
There’s a lump of worry in my throat, but I swallow it down. Sarah’s my best friend, so of course she’s going to be concerned about any relationship I’m in. Her concerns are certainly valid.
“I trust Brandon completely,” I assure her. “If I had any reason to distrust him, that would be a different story. But I promise you that there isn’t any reason to worry! He vowed to me he’s not using escorts anymore. Not while we’ve been dating.”
Sarah shakes her head slowly.
“I know you trust him, but what has he done to earn your trust?” she asks in a reasonable tone. “You trusted Jasper, too, and look how that turned out. Men are dogs, Luce. They’ll say or do anything to get in your pants. I know you don’t want to hear this, but you’re young and gorgeous, so Brandon might be saying whatever you want to hear just so that he can keep sleeping with you. He’s older and undoubtedly a very canny man. Keep that in mind.”
My frown deepens and I pick at my burger. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.
“I don’t think he’d do that,” I say, trying to stick to my convictions. “He really loves me.”
Sarah takes a deep breath.
“Again, I don’t want to say this, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say it: old habits die hard.”
I stare at her.
“What are you talking about?”
My friend looks regretful as she elaborates.
“I’m just saying that Brandon’s forty-five, and he’s set in his ways. How long has he been divorced?”
“Ten years,” I mumble.
Sarah nods.
“Exactly. So it’s possible that he’s been using escorts for a full ten years. Maybe he’s stopped, but maybe not. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I think you should keep your wits about you because you’re a new, shiny toy in his life, and it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.”
I shake my head furiously, tears coming to my yes.
“No, he wouldn’t!” I say fiercely, staring at my plate. “He promised.”
Sarah nods thoughtfully. “Okay, but have you and Brandon had ‘the Talk’ yet?”
I furrow my brows. “What?”
My friend sighs.
“You know, ‘the Talk,’ where you define the relationship and your expectations for each other.”
“Well yes, sort of,” I say. “Like I said, he promised that he’s not using escorts anymore. But it’s more than that. I told him I loved him, and he said it back, so we’re way past the initial phase of getting to know each other.”
Sarah crosses her arms over her chest.
“Okay, but love only goes so far,” she replies seriously. “Talk is cheap, remember? I hate to sound so nit picky, but did you guys put concrete terms to your relationship? Did you decide to be exclusive, and stop seeing others?”
My stomach feels suddenly upset, and I push my plate away. “No, we didn’t explicitly discuss that. But thank you for your concern, Sarah,” I say, a little stiffly. “I’ll keep your words in mind.”
My friend immediately looks penitent.
“I know this is hard to swallow, Luce, but again, Brandon is decades older than you, and he’s already admitted that he uses professionals. It doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy, but it could be that he has different expectations from life.”
“He told me he wants children,” I state in a wooden tone.
Sarah nods thoughtfully.
“Yes, but talk is cheap,” she repeats softly once more. “Men will do anything to get in your pants. You know that.”
Now, I’m angry and my features are frozen in place.
“Thank you for your concern,” I say in a frigid voice. “But I promise you that everything is fine. More than fine. Better than fine.”
Mercifully, Sarah nods and accepts my dismissal. We move a bit awkwardly to other subjects, and soon she has me laughing as if the first part of our conversation never occurred. Still, even after we’ve split the check and hugged goodbye, I still can’t shake the feeling that a bucket of ice water has been dumped over my head. I feel uncomfortable, unsettled, and suddenly very insecure, because what if my friend’s right? What if Brandon’s been lying through his teeth this entire time? What if he’s still using escorts, even though he explicitly said he wasn’t? Old habits do die hard after all.
7
Lucy
* * *
There’s no problem in life that a homemade baked good can’t fix. That’s my philosophy, anyways. But I think that anyone who disagrees must have no joy left in their heart because who can resist the sugary goodness of a batch of cookies, or a spongy cake?
Today, I’ve decided to bake a loaf of banana bread, liberally sprinkled with chocolate chips. Brandon mentioned on our last date how much he loves banana bread, and I know he has a sweet tooth, so chocolate chips seem like a great addition. Plus, banana bread is doable. Maybe I’m not the world’s best baker, but I know my way around a stand mixer, and my mom is lucky enough to have one of those fancy KitchenAids that I hope to have in my own home someday.
Humming a snippet from a song on the radio, I gather my ingredients and lay them out on the counter. I’ve made banana bread a few times so I’m not too worried about messing it up. Besides, Brandon is sweet enough that he’d probably like it even if I did.
As I always do, I smile just thinking about my boyfriend. My conversation with Sarah a few weeks ago made me nervous, but no evidence has arisen to suggest that Brandon’s affection and promises are anything but genuine. I comfort myself with the reminder that Sarah has always been a little overprotective. She loves me, and is only looking out for me. In fact, when I told her about Jasper and Celine, her first response was, “I always knew he was a scumbag. Let’s key his car!” (Thankfully, I was able to convince her not to.)
In fact, if our situations were reversed, I probably would have told her to be wary, too. After all, Brandon is two decades my senior, and he’s my ex’s father. I get it. I remind myself that she just doesn’t know my boyfriend, and doesn’t see how spectacular he is.
Maybe we can go on a double-date sometime, I think, and grin. I’m not sure how Brandon would feel about double-dating with his son’s classmates. But who knows? He’s an open-minded guy and maybe it would be fun.
I chop some walnuts to add into the bread along with the chocolate chips. Admittedly, it has been nice to tell Sarah because finally, someone knows my secret. It’s hard to live life on the downlow, and frankly, I’m not very good at being sneaky. A few times, my parents have commented on how happy I seem lately, but I’ve just told them that I’m glad to be free of Jasper and left it at that. That seems to have satisfied Midge and Frank for now at least.
But maybe it’s time for them to know, I muse. Brandon may be older, and I’m sure my parents will have a thing or two to say about him being my ex-boyfriend’s father. But ultimately, Brandon can charm anyone, and is such a charismatic presence that he’s difficult to dislike. I think, too, that my parents would just be happy that I’m so happy.
