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“You don’t like me spending much time with Stan either. He’s not part of the crews,” I pointed out, a frown taking over his face.

“It won’t hurt that boy to work for it. If you’re available every time he calls, he doesn’t have to make an effort. Make him earn your love.” All it did was make him jump into bed with other people, but I couldn’t say that or Dad would blow his brains out.

“We’ve been dating for a couple of years,” I argued. “What if I decide to move in with him? Are you going to stop me? I’m old enough to get married and start a family if I want to.”

He paled. “Please don’t do that to me yet. I can’t handle it. You’re my baby girl, so the thought of you being grown up enough to get married and have babies freaks me the fuck out.”

“I know, but you can’t avoid it forever. I’m not ready for that yet either, but that’s not the point. I should be able to spend time with Stan or Riley whenever I want. You freaked when Landon asked me to hang out the other week too. I’m an adult,” I said for what felt like the millionth time. “What’s wrong with Riley and Landon?”

Mom hid a grin as Dad scowled. “I love those kids, but Riley’s trouble, and Landon’s a smooth-talking fucker. I don’t want you falling for his charm.”

“Riley’s not trouble, and I’m not into Landon,” I squeaked out. “He’s my cousin.”

“Hey, he’s only blood-related if he’s Alex’s biological kid. He’s too much like Harley for my liking. And have youmetRiley?” he asked as a muscle in his jaw twitched. “She went to prison not long after her nineteenth birthday for assault, and she’s a smart-mouthed little shit.”

“It wasn’t like she beat the shit out of them,” I said, defending her. Mom gave me the side eye as she stood to clear the empty plates, adding her own thoughts to the conversation.

“She smashed some guy’s car to pieces, then broke a cop’s nose and stole his patrol car when he showed up to escort her off the property.”

“He called her a dyke!”

“She deliberately slept with his sister to make a point. She’s got to expect backlash, despite it being disgusting,” she said carefully, making me frown.

“Did people used to say stuff like that to you? You used to sleep with girls, right?”

Dad blew out a breath and got to his feet, kissing the top of my head before glancing at Mom.

“I’ll leave that conversation for you two ladies. I’m going to check in with Wet Dreams, so I’ll be home in about an hour unless something happens.” Chances were high their strip club was running perfectly, and he was just looking for an excuse to escape. My dad sucked at coping with girl talk.

“Be safe,” Mom called out as he headed to the door, and I couldn’t help but smile as he gave her a wink. Most people would find the mushy stuff between their parents gross, but I thought it was sweet that, after all these years, they still loved each other like they had when they were younger.

They’d grown up on the wrong side of town and been together ever since so they were always pretty close.

I wanted what they had, but I wasn’t sure I’d found that kind of love with Stanley. I didn’t know how to be enough for him, but he was enough for me. I’d had one or two boyfriends before, but he was definitely the only one I’d felt real love for, none of that puppy love stuff.

“Why all the questions?” Mom asked once we were alone, curiosity in her blue eyes. “Are you noticing women sexually?”

I scrunched up my nose, shaking my head. “No. I’m straight. I just don’t understand why people are mean to others who aren’t. How does it affect anyone else?”

Pride filled her eyes as she sat beside me, a smile on her face. “I don’t know, sweetie. People are assholes sometimes. Some don’t understand it, others simply don’t want to understand.”

“But it’s not hard to understand. It’s just love,” I said with confusion. “How’s girls kissing girls any different from girls kissing guys?”

“It’s not, but people are arrogant,” she said as she studied me. “I’m proud of you, you know that? I know kids treated Riley a little differently when they caught onto the fact she liked girls, but you stuck by her. I’m glad you two have such a strong friendship.”

“She never hid the fact she liked girls, so I don’t see why people started acting differently towards her. It’s not like she changed as a person. She’s still the same Riley she was as a kid,” I answered as my eyebrows drew together in thought. “What the hell does sleeping with girls have anything to do with it? Nothing else changed.”

“Like I said, people are simply assholes. Does she have a girlfriend yet?”

I laughed, not being able to help it. “You think she’s ever going to settle down? You know she likes playing the field. I think she’ll just sleep around until she dies.”

“You’d be surprised what she’d do for the right person. One day, someone will come along and she’ll fall stupidly in love with them. People never thought I’d settle down either, but here I am, married to my first love with two beautiful kids.” She chuckled. “I never thought I’d end up with your father. Our past is messy and toxic, but we grew up eventually.”

“I’ll always want what you guys have,” I said, my cheeks flushing. “I love that you two are still so romantic and go on dates.”

She got to her feet as her mouth curved into a soft smile before leaning down to drop a kiss on my cheek. “It hasn’t been easy, but it was worth the uphill battle. I hope you’re loved this hard too, honey. You deserve nothing less. Since your father’s left and we both know he’ll be more than an hour, how about we watch a movie? I’ll make some popcorn,” she offered, waiting for me to nod before continuing. “Go ahead and pick a movie. I’ll be in soon.”

I loved spending time with my mom, but I couldn’t help but wonder what Riley was doing while I was stuck at home. I felt like I never spent time with her anymore, and I hated that.