Page 55 of 3 Daddies to Go

I doubt it. I’m probably the one getting overly attached. Which is why I need someone to talk to.

I scroll through my phone contacts again. Surely there’s someone I can hang out with. I have friends other than Trudy.

My finger hovers over my friend Lucy’s name. We’re not super close, but we hang out sometimes. She used to work with me atSmexy. She was the only person I ever clicked with, but she quit when she got a job as the editor of our local newspaper. I see her once a week for coffee or something. It wouldn’t be weird to ask if she’s busy. Before I can change my mind, I shoot her a text.

Her response is almost immediate.

“Super bored!” she says. “Meet at Jimmy’s?”

Jimmy’s is the only bar in our town. It’ll be dead on a Wednesday night, which makes it the perfect place to catch up. I tell Lucy I’ll meet her there and then change into jeans and a t-shirt.

I get to the empty bar less than ten minutes later. Aside from me, there’s only one other person. He’s a regular who might actually live here. I’ve never seen him leave.

All of the tables are open, so I pick one near the windows. The sun hasn’t set yet, and I like the natural light.

The bartender, Deena, shouts across the dimly lit room.

“What are you having, dear?”

“Surprise me with something on tap,” I say. All the beer they serve at Jimmy’s is good, so I can’t go wrong. Deena brings me a dark beer and sets it on the table.

“Any food?”

“Not yet, I’m waiting on someone.”

Lucy walks in the door like I summoned her.

“Hey girl!” she says as soon as she sees me.

“Hi!” I stand and give her a hug. It’s been less than a week since we last got together, but we always greet each other like it’s been longer. “How are you?”

“I’ve been good. You?”

“Good,” I say, hoping I don’t start to blush. “Are you hungry? I haven’t eaten, so I’m gonna get some food.”

“Starving!” Lucy says. “I haven’t eaten all day. You didn’t hear it from me, but board of ed president is stepping down tomorrow. We got the exclusive scoop.”

My eyes widen.

“Seriously? Henry has been in that position forever.”

Lucy nods. “He doesn’t even know the teachers anymore. It’s time for someone younger to take over.”

In our small town, politics are pretty much the only thing to get excited about. When someone leaves their position, it’s front page news.

“I need a beer too,” Lucy says. “I’ll grab some menus.”

As Lucy chats with Deena, I start to lose my nerve. Lucy and I are friends, but we don’t usually talk about sex. Is she going to judge me if I tell her about Tanner, Trace, and Tag?

I should’ve just stayed home and written in a journal or something. I can’t get out of it now, though. I have no choice but to sit and talk to Lucy for a while.

Then again, it’s not like the guys are the only thing going on in my life. I have volunteering and my job. We can talk about things that aren’t sex.

I sigh, relieved. Sometimes I have to talk myself out of a panic attack. My mind tends to spiral out of control when I start to think too much, and I have to bring myself back down to earth.

Lucy returns to our table with menus. I usually order the spaghetti and meatballs, but I’m feeling adventurous. Jimmy’s gets its food from the Italian restaurant next door, so while bar itself is a dive, the food is delicious.

“I’m going to get the chicken parm today,” I say.