Page 266 of All For You Duet
“Why?” She fires at me, equally unfazed. “You think I don’t fuck your dad?” Her grin is too thrilled to say, “Well, let me tell you, I do. As much as I can.”
“I can’t keep up with her.” Dad sips his coffee, grinning, after he says, “I’m a lucky man.”
“Both y’all need to stop.” The vision in my head needs to stop, too. “I know y’all fuck; I just don’t need a blow-by-blow about it.”
Bad choice of words, and yep, my dad picks up the ball (another pun unintended).
“Speaking of blows.” Dad dances his eyebrows at my mama. “It is a Saturday.”
“Ewww! Stop it!” That’s a fact I’ll never be able to burn from my brain—oral sex Saturday for my parents.
“Oh, lighten up.” Mama gently kicks my leg under the blanket. “Like you don’t fuck. All those times I caught you and Redix. He ain’t quiet, you know. And don’t tell me you didn’t get a piece of that Silas hunk, cuz if you didn’t, let me whomp you upside the head for being a dumbass to miss out on that fine man too.”
“You’re my mama. You can know about my sex life. But no offense,”—I yank at our blanket—“it’s not a topic of conversation with my dad.”
“Why?” My dad looks too amused. “I saw how Silas was hot for you the minute y’all met. And do you know how many used tissues you and Redix used to leave behind on my boat? I know all about your sex life. I just don’t ask you about it.”
Kill me now.
The book in my hand makes the perfect cover for my flaming red cheeks because all the times Redix turned me into a fucking dessert buffet are firing through my mind. And after those XXX visions, here come the sex club adventures with Silas too. This sofa needs to be ten feet deeper so I can sink and die of embarrassment.
“Well, I need an answer.” Mama chimes up. “Do your balls tighten before you come?”
“Can’t say that’s what I feel,” my dad answers, and please, no, I can’t think of testicles right now. “But ask around. I’m curious, too.”
I drop my book. “Do NOT start a text poll about balls.” Because I know my mama.
“Too late.” She’s already tapping into a group text on her phone. “My guys will tell me.”
All the men who worked for Mama, hold your morning coffee because you ain’t gonna believe what she’s texting you.
Mama’s phone pings for the next thirty minutes, and she won’t stop giggling at the answers and her replies. I could roll my eyes and leave the room. But never. She’s too funny like this. She’s too cute and happy, and I want to weld this memory into my heart.
My dad comes over and laughs at the text messages before refilling her coffee and giving her a soft kiss. “You need to eat so you can take your pills.”
His reminder is gentle. His care is unrelenting.
“I ain’t hungry.” Mama makes a mule look willing.
“I ain’t asking if you’re hungry.” But Dad can pull her rope anywhere. “I’m telling you to eat some breakfast.”
This is the love I’ve seen, and I know I’m lucky to witness it. It pushes tears to my eyes, but I blink them away. I want this kind of love, too, one day. I want to fuss about breakfast, talk about balls, and embarrass my kids.
When we were teens, I was this open with Redix. For a few fleeting months when we were back together as adults, it was this natural, too.
I did the same with Silas. I shared everything with him except for the darkest secrets I couldn’t reveal.
But I don’t have either man now.
And honestly, that’s okay.
My soul needed to stop the marathon I’d been running for over ten years. I need this time. My mind needs a break. My body is tired. And my heart can only take so much.
The old me would feel guilty for leaving Redix and Silas like that. Years ago, I would’ve stayed and taken care of them. I would’ve loved them, fucked them, cried for them, and fought for them. But they’re grown men. They can take care of themselves, and if they can’t, they need to learn how.
And so do I.
This is me taking care of myself. For two months, I’ve been alone, and I need it. And maybe that’s not long for some, but for me, it’s forever.