Page 4 of Perfectly Wrong

“I don’t know if I would use the word date.”

Rocco laughs. “When’s the last time you even went on a date?”

I shrug. “God, I don’t even remember.”

“You just hook up?” Tristan asks, fixing those soft eyes of his on me. “You just fuck ‘em and leave?”

“Yeah, Tristan, that’s what I do. I’m not emotionally equipped for more.”

Rocco rubs my arm. “Not true. Not at all. You’re my best friend for a reason. I know your heart, and it’s softer than you think. Or maybe softer than you want.” He looks at his son. “Bishop is a good man. Don’t let all his tough talk fool you.”

Tristan smiles. “I can tell. I’m a good judge of character.” His eyes hold my gaze. “Maybe you’ll meet someone who gets under your skin, and whether you like it or not, you’ll let him in. Maybe you’ll even fall in love.”

I nod, sipping my coffee. “I’m not against love. Not at all. I think it would be fantastic. It just hasn’t happened yet.”

“But if it did, you’d be open to it?”

My eyes shift briefly to Rocco, who’s watching his son with an amused expression, then back to Tristan. “I guess I don’t really know until it happens.”

Tristan nods as he stands and stretches, flexing every muscle in his abs and arms. “I better go shower and then start getting these fools out of the house. I need to pack still and go see my mom before I go.”

“Good luck with school.”

“Thanks.” He steps around to my side of the table. “I’m a hugger.”

I nod, standing and allowing this moment of contact. He briefly kisses my neck, then lets me go. “It was great meeting you, Bishop. Maybe I’ll see you around when I come down for visits.”

“Yeah, maybe. Take care.”

“You too.”

He enters the house and I sit down again, noticing Rocco’s curious expression. It’s silent for a moment until he speaks.

“Think my kid is into you.”

I nod. “A little maybe.”

“Not a little. I’ve known him his whole life and never saw him act like that around a guy.” He pats my hand. “I get it. I fell for it too.”

“Fell for it?”

“Your eyes. Your mouth. Your everything. He probably wouldn’t like to know I’ve had my mouth on your dick.”

I clear my throat, feeling even worse than I did. “Probably not, so let’s not tell him.”

“Ah, he’d understand. A night of drinking can often lead to these things.”

“Yeah.”

“Does he make you uncomfortable?”

I glance at my friend. “Yeah. He’s your kid.”

Rocco nods. “You find him attractive too, right?”

I shrug. “He looks like you.”

“He does.” Rocco stares out at the pool. “Obviously I wouldn’t be okay with it.”

I swallow hard. “Obviously.”

“Not just because he’s my kid.”

The comment hangs in the air for a moment. I’m not sure I want to know the rest. “I get it.”

“Do you?” He looks at me. “Do you know why?”

“Lots of reasons, Rocco. He’s your kid. He’s eighteen. I’m...me.”

“Exactly. You’re you.” He takes my hand in his.

“I love you, Bishop, you know that. You’re my best friend, and I know what a heart you have, but you’re not good with men or relationships in general.

He’s too young for a serious relationship with you.

It would just be sex, but Tristan has a huge heart, and he gives it one hundred percent.

He’d fall for you, but you couldn’t fall back.

I could never forgive you if you broke his heart, and I think you would. ”

I nod, letting his words sink in. “That’s what you think of me? I only know how to use men for sex?”

“History proves me right.” I try to pull my hand away, but he holds it tighter. “It makes me sad. I know you deserve more, but you don’t want it. I couldn’t condone anything where my son’s heart was at risk.”

“I’m not going to do anything to Tristan. He’s going to college, and it’s just a flirtation.”

“True, but I know my son, and he’s into you.”

“But again, he’s leaving. It doesn’t matter.”

I want to fucking tell him what I did, what we did, but when my eyes shift to his, so filled with concern that I’ll fuck his son over, the words won’t come. He knows his son well, but he knows me too, and he’s right. I would take what I want from Tristan and leave him as soon as I was over it.

“I should get going, Rocco. I have shit to do.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“For what? Being honest?” I shake my head.

“I don’t fucking know what’s wrong with me, but you’re right.

I’m not capable of letting my heart get involved.

I just want you to know I would never do anything to hurt Tristan.

I’m aware of what I’m like. I know. I’ll keep my distance no matter what Tristan does. ”

Rocco nods. “Thanks, man.” He puts his arms around my neck and we hug. As he holds me, my heart sinks. He pulls back, studying my eyes. “Thanks for hanging out last night with us.”

“Thanks for inviting me. We’ll catch up later.”

“Yeah.”

I stand up, dig my keys out of my pocket, and head outside to leave. Thank god Tristan is leaving because one thing is for sure, the attraction between us is so palpable even his father noticed. The best thing for Tristan is to stay the fuck away from me.