Filed to story: Help! I’m Falling for My Dad’s Best Friend Novel Free
“That I’ve been taking care of family matters. I have an elderly aunt in Westbrook, and I’ve got Power of Attorney over her assets and medical needs. As far as he’s concerned, I’ve been busy with Aunt Camille’s errands.”
“Oh, okay.”
“The problem is, one time Aunt Camille called your parent’s house looking for me and wondering why I hadn’t visited in so long.”
I wince. “Ouch.”
Mr. Collins smiles grimly. “Aunt Camille has Alzheimer’s. Sometimes she even forgets who I am.”
“But, have you visited her recently?”
He shakes his head, a sheepish look on his face. “My mistake. I’ve been too occupied by you.”
“Ah.” My heart swells when I hear he’s putting me above everything else. Selfish, but hey, he’s mine. He means the world to me, and I should mean it to him, as well.
Mr. Collins sighs. “When your dad asked me to come, I had no reason to refuse. At least, not one I could admit.”
Bummer. I haven’t seen him in two months, and I really, really miss him. Not just his body, but “him”, too. I’ve already planned a weekend filled with incredible s*x. And now he has to go? Am I destined to spend the weekend with Mr. Collins Two?
Ugh.
Kri skims his fingers over my face. “Don’t worry, Harper. I’ll ask to take some of my vacation time after this. I’ve got plenty of rollover from last year.”
I plaster a smile on my face, but frown on the inside. I want him now, not weeks later. Yeah, I’m selfish. “When are you leaving?”
“After lunch.”
My mind goes into full-blown scheming mode. Today’s Thursday and if I drive home tonight, I’d be there by Friday morning. I know from experience my parents never leave the house for a weekend at the cabin before noon. Which means, with a bit of luck, I can alter this weekend to fit my own needs. Yeah, it may be a bit dangerous with my parents around, but the risk is what makes it even more fun.
I give him a light kiss on my lover’s nose. “Can we, at least, have one more round?”
“Baby.” His voice is a choked moan. “We can have two more if you’re up to it. We have several hours before my flight.”
Goody.
FRIDAY
When I glide through the front door, bag in hand, I realize I actually have managed to surprise them. They hadn’t heard me turn into the driveway. They’re eating breakfast at the bar, and my mother’s eyes widen, mouth dropping open.
“Harper!” She drops her bagel and opens her arms on automatic. “What on earth are you doing here?”
I lean into her arms for a brief hug. “Hello? Monday is Columbus Day. No classes, so I thought I’d come home for the long weekend.”
That helps Mom get over her initial shock. “But you didn’t tell us. You could have at least called to tell us you were coming.”
My dad flicks the paper and peers at me over the newsprint, a blank look on his face as if he couldn’t care less about my appearance. But that’s just him. He’s rugged and stoic and never lets his emotions shine. When he’s happily tipsy, he says he loves me, but two star generals don’t turn into pussies or their soldiers wouldn’t listen to ’em on the field.
“Surprise!” I plop onto a stool and then snag a piece of bagel from my mother’s plate.
Unfortunately, Mom knows me too well. “Okay,” she narrows her eyes. “What’s going on?”
So, I utter a fib to launch a thousand ships. One as confusing as that weird Dicaprio movie with the folding city and the “is it real or a dream” thread that wouldn’t die.
“Fine, you caught me.” I roll my eyes, act like a spoiled teenager and then launch into a recitation that would give the Micro Machines guy a heart attack. “There’s this guy, right? Sean? And he invited me to a party this weekend. But, his sister Sherry is also my BFF. Long story short, Sherry and I had a fight. And guess what? Suddenly Sean has uninvited me to the party. Can you believe that? He went even further and unfriended me on Facebook and blocked me on Twitter. Really?” My parents develop this glazed look over their eyes, and I know I’ve got ’em. “And that pissed me off. Like, really, what does a fight with his sister have to do with us hanging out?” I snort and nibble on my bagel. “So, I thought I’d just come home and chillax.”
My mom blinks, her fork half way to her mouth, a perplexed look over her face. “What’s a Facebook? Twitter?”
My dad is now comfortable behind his paper once again. “That’s fad teenager stuff, LeAnn. Leave her alone. She’s having a girly crisis.”
“Exactly.” I nod. “I need to be somewhere I won’t see their fugly faces for a while. Too bad Sherry and I are in the same English class.” I pop the last of the pancake in my mouth. “Whatever. I need ice cream. And attention. A lot of it.”
My mom harrumphs. “When are you going to grow up?”
This would be the perfect time for Dad to cut in, but he just gives his usual deep, wise sigh and says nothing.
I’m a perfect, too adult for my own good, princess in my parents’ eyes. Growing up, I rarely pitched fits and whined, so it’s a comfort to my mom when I bust out with something like this. And, as I suspected, Mom buys the whole thing.
Girlie catfight, no party and icky boy. Yeah, that’s totally believable. I want to laugh like Dr. Evil, pinky pressed to my lips, when I think of the real reason I’m here.
You’re a naughty girl, Harper.
Why yes, yes I am.
My mom slides from her stool and pads toward the sink. “Your father and I are heading to the cabin for the weekend. Did you want to come along?”