Like it’s any of their business.
My youngest, Zoe, was the most vocal. “You need to get out there, dad. You’re in a piss-poor mood all the time. A girlfriend might help with that.”
So, what’d I say? “I’m not discussin’ this shit with you, little girl.”
“I’m with Zoe, Dad. You need a woman.” What the hell? Nathan too?
“Have you taken my advice?” Jackie leaves out the rest. Thankfully, she doesn’t mention Prudence’s name or what her suggestion was, but I’m gonna answer her. Maybe if she knows, she’ll leave it be.
“I asked her over for steaks. She turned me down.”
Brett starts to snicker, which earns him my glare. You’d think that would shut him up but no. “You used to have game, bro.”
“Fuck you, Brett.” I don’t like where this conversation is going.
He shakes his head. “Back in the day, all you’d have to do is smile at a lady and she’d be in your bed.”
“Gross, Uncle Brett.” Zoe makes a gagging noise. “Donottalk about my father picking up women ever, ever again.”
That gets a laugh out of everyone. Even me.
“All I mean is, he’s lost his touch.”
“Fuck off, Brett.” Jesus. “I’m just not that into her.”
Lies.
Honestly, I think I’m more into her after she turned me down than I was before. Brett places his fist over his mouth to muffle “Bullshit”. It doesn’t work.
“Look.” I sigh, wishing this conversation would end. “Her friend said she’s recently divorced. She needs time.”
Jackie shakes her head. “You wait too long, someone else is gonna make a move.”
If they do, they’ll get shut down too. She ain’t ready.
“Daddy?” I look over at my daughter.
“What?”
“You asked her out, and she said no.” Not a question.
“Yeah.”
“Were you snippy with her?”
I was but I’m not about to admit it now. “No.”
Brett tattles on me like a little bitch. “The first time they met, he told her that her music sucked.”
“Daddy…” Zoe looks disgusted. “Music is personal. How would you like it if we all hated Led Zeppelin.”
“Nobody hates Led Zeppelin.”
Honest to God. Who could hate Zeppelin?
“Oh, and then he told her she’d make a shitty parent.”
Hang on a sec. “How the fuck do you know that?”
