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“How do you know…” I gaze at him in surprise. It doesn’t matter that he’s correct, I just don’t understand how he knows it.

“We’re very alike,” he says with a shrug. “I typically fuck out my frustration, but I can’t because of Nina. It would be wrong.”

“I wasn’t going over there to fuck him,” I grunt. “I don’t know what I’m going to tell him now that I know she’s my scent match if I’m being honest.”

“So you care about him…” Dad leans his forearms on his thighs, gazing at me knowingly.

“We’ve known each other for a long time, and we’ve kept it casual because I’m an asshole,” I say. “My moods are just as bad as yours are, Dad. I never want to subject people to them, which is why it’s rare that I go see my friends.”

“Of all the shit traits to inherit,” he says teasingly. “Look, I’m willing to table this for now, but if you want to continue whatever this is on a more serious level, you’re going to need to talk to Nina about it.”

Growling under my breath, I nod as I stand. “I understand. I’m not a cheater,” I say.

“Son, you’re being really argumentative,” he says, and I groan as I lock my hands behind my head.

This is my father telling me that I’m being a shithead. I have a lot of feelings surrounding Riley, and I need to take stock of them. The only way to keep him is if I admit the stolen moments between us were real and meant something.

“I know,” I grit out. “You know I never want to disappoint you.”

“Hold up,” Dad says, standing. It forces me to take a step back because of the space he occupies. There’s also a strong aura of authority around him, which is why so many tread lightly. “Fucking a man is not going disappoint me. I’ve made somepretty questionable decisions over the years, and not once have you called me out on them.”

“Vivian wasn’t the best choice,” I admit. “It gave us Nina, so I guess that’s the trade off.”

“Don’t derail me,” he complains. “I’m not going to love you any less for being attracted to both men and women. In fact, I’m all about being fluid with your sexuality because scent matching doesn’t give a shit about who you think you’re attracted to.”

The heavy feeling in my lungs unclenches a bit, and I take a cleansing breath. Fuck, I didn’t realize how much I needed those words.

His eyes on mine, he nods. “Good now?” he asks.

“Better,” I agree, pulling on my coat. “The rest, I’ll figure out.”

Walking away without saying goodbye, I grab my keys and pull open the front door to the frozen elements waiting for me. Wincing as my eyes feel as if all the moisture in them is also turning into ice, I shudder as I step outside and lock the door.

I’m careful of the steps due to black ice, because the last thing I need is to break something. The outside of my car is iced over, and I have to spend a few extra minutes getting my vehicle into working condition.

Thankfully, my engine turns over easily, and it reminds me of how I was going to get Nina’s car serviced. We had so many plans to help get her on her feet, but they were all ripped away.

Swallowing hard, I call Riley as I shiver in the car, waiting for the heat to warm the air. I won’t be able to drive yet.

“Ethan, I think I must be dreaming,”Riley says with a snicker. “I didn’t think I’d speak to you for at least another few months.”

“I know, I’m an asshole,” I grumble. “Something happened, and I’m losing my mind about it. I don’t know if you can help or not. I really don’t know what I was thinking, but?—”

“Woah, fucking breathe, Ethan,” Riley says. I can hear the concern in his voice, but it’s somehow making it worse. I can’tbreathe again, and my heart really hurts. “Whatever it is, I’ll do what I can to help.”

Yanking the gear shift into drive, I put the phone on speaker and clip it into the mount on the dashboard. On a good day, I’m a dick while driving. I’m trying to ensure I don’t end up in an accident.

Carefully checking my blind spot, I pull onto the road, glad it’s quiet out right now.

“This is going to sound insane,” I warn him. “Remember Rainbow Brite?”

“Yeah, the cute blonde you keep literally running into,” Riley says. “Did you find out who she is?”

“She’s my ex step-sister,” I grunt. “I haven’t seen her in years, so I didn’t recognize her. There’s a bunch of baggage attached to that, but I found her sleeping in her car in front of my house. Dad and I may have, ah, convinced her to stay with us in exchange for sex.”

“That’s not what I was expecting to hear,”he snorts. “Your dad is opportunistic, and you refuse to let go when you see something you want. I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“I did let go though,” I say softly, my throat clogging with emotion. “I didn’t think I’d lose her, and now I have.”