“I was simply pointing out that if it’s good enough for you, there shouldn’t be any reason for me to
not do the same,” I argued. Then, thinking about how much I wanted William there with me but didn’t
because I was protecting my child, I added, “And how do you know it was a woman I was with? I
could have spent the night with a hot leather Daddy who kept me bound and gagged until the sun came
up.”
“I would certainly hope you wouldn’t be doing anything like that around her.” She shuddered.
“Bringing random men around will only confuse her even more. How will we explain that to her?”
“If and when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll have no problem being honest with my child,” I
scoffed. “Seriously, Lisa, I know me being bi was always a hang-up for you but we’re not together
anymore. I was a hundred percent faithful to you this the entire time we were together. Can you say the
same?”
I lifted an eyebrow, knowing she couldn’t unless she lied. Her mouth flopped open and closed
like a fish on land. I fought the urge to laugh at the incredulous look on her face.
“Now, why don’t you take off so you can do whatever was so important that it trumped spending
time with your daughter. I’ll see you on Tuesday evening for pickup.”
“Yeah, sure.” She gave me a dismissive wave and stomped back to her car, not bothering to say
goodbye to Willow. Sadly, this wasn’t the first time and it likely wouldn’t be the last. Willow had
simply come to accept that sometimes mommy was in a hurry.
I folded myself onto a bench near the perimeter of the playground, burying my face in my hands. I
hated myself for arguing with her in front of Willow. I always did my best to keep the ugliness out of
sight, but dammit, she’d pressed every last one of my buttons today.
Something had to give. I couldn’t hide these huge pieces of myself forever. I deserved to be
happy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t trust Lisa to not use any relationship I had against me.
“Daddy, come play in the sand with me!” Willow called out. I lifted my head in time to see her
racing toward me. She wrapped her little hand around my finger and dragged me to the sandbox.
I closed my eyes, wishing there was a way to keep William in my life without risking moments
like these.
15
WILLIAM
I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT BEHIND THE BAR. I GROANED WHEN I NOTICED THE ONLY OTHER CAR IN
