Page 28 of Inferno

Manning shook his head, a surly grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Seriously though, Manny,” Stan continued. “As much as you may want to outdo Mike by losing your virginity at a younger age than he did, believe me when I tell you that you’re not ready to start having sex. You’re only fourteen years old. So you’ve got plenty of time to, ah, experience the pleasures of lovemaking. With the right girl,” he added pointedly.

“Girls,” Manning corrected.

“What?”

“You said ‘girl.’ Like there’d only be one.”

“And what would be so terrible about that?” Stan demanded. “Your mother was a virgin when we started dating in high school. I’m the only lover she’s ever had.”

“But was she the only loveryou’veever had?” Manning challenged.

That shut Stan up.

“I didn’t think so,” Manning said with a laugh.

Stan scowled.

“Anyway,” he blurted, abruptly rising from the sofa, “we’d better head back upstairs and see if your greedy brothers left us any pizza.”

“They’d better have,” Manning muttered, pushing to his feet.

Stan snorted. “After all the trouble you’ve caused today, you’re lucky I’m not feeding you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. Tomorrow morning, after your mother has had a chance to cool down, I expect you to apologize to her for your behavior.”

“Yes, sir.”

As they approached the stairwell, Stan unbuckled and removed his leather belt. “You’re the oldest, Manny. So like it or not, your mother and I expect you to set a better example for your brothers. When you fail to do that, you have to suffer the consequences.”

A look of dread crossed Manning’s face. “But, Dad—”

“But nothing, boy!”Lips quirking with amusement, Stan pulled Manning close and murmured in his ear, “Your nosy brothers are probably eavesdropping at the door. When I hit the banister with my belt, I want you to holler so they’ll think I’m whipping you. Okay?”

Manning nodded quickly, flashing a wobbly grin of relief.

Sure enough, when they emerged from the basement a few minutes later, Montana, Magnum and Maddox scattered like rats scurrying from light. Only Mason lingered behind to point a finger at Manning and taunt gleefully, “Oooh, you got a butt whupping!”

“Shut up,” Manning grumbled, swiping at an imaginary tear for good measure.

As Mason scampered off giggling impishly, Stan and Manning traded conspiratorial grins.