“What?” I called out.
“It’s Frank. Can I talk to you?”
What does my new stepdaddy want? I thought ruefully.
“Yeah, sure,” I said.
He opened the door and stepped in, closing it softly behind him. I could tell that he was uncomfortable as he stood with his arms crossed, avoiding my look.
“What can I do for you, Frank?” I asked, trying not to sound annoyed.
“I just wanted to say that this wasn’t my decision.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Okay. Is that all?”
He sighed and looked at me. “Look, Cole, your mother is under a lot of pressure because of our relationship. I’m not sure she’s thinking clearly on this one.”
I laughed. “You don’t know Cindy very well then.”
He held up one hand, a pained look on his face. “I know what you think of her,” he said, “but she’s softened a lot since you last saw her.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“I’ll never understand you or your relationship with your mother, but I do know that she loves you.”
I smirked but didn’t respond. I hadn’t needed Cindy’s love for a long, long time. I had come to the conclusion that she wasn’t really capable of it, no matter what she may have looked like on the outside. Frank would figure it out eventually. He was applying human terms and emotions and feelings to a robot. It just didn’t work out.
“So,” Frank went on, “I decided that I want you to stay.”
That surprised me. “Does Cindy know?”
“Not yet,” he said, “but I’ll tell her after we’re done talking.”
“That’s not going to go over well.”
“This is my house, Cole.”
“Maybe. But so long as Cindy is here, she’s in charge and we both know it.”
Frank laughed and shook his head. “You’re not wrong there. But in this instance I’m making my own decision, and your mother will just have to go along with it.”
I had to admit that I was impressed. I’d never pegged Frank for a man with a spine, but standing up to Cindy took guts, even if he hadn’t even confronted her about it yet and was going behind her back.
But I didn’t want or need charity. I didn’t want Frank’s pity, and I didn’t want Cindy’s scorn. I didn’t need any of it. I didn’t care about any of it. The only reason I was staying in the house was Alexa, but that just seemed more and more crazy.
I knew she wanted me. It was obvious. But she was so damn conflicted and so obsessed with this marriage thing that she couldn’t let herself have what was clearly what she needed. I’d been up front with what I wanted from her. There was no ambiguity in my position. Actually, there was no ambiguity in the position that I wanted to fuck her in.
So there was nothing keeping me around.
“No, thanks,” I said. “If Cindy wants me out, I’m out.”
“I think you should reconsider.”
“Listen, Frank, this little shit between my mom and me, it’s as old as time. She’s a controlling shrew and I’m not a little teenager anymore trying to make mommy happy.”
“She just wants what’s best for you.”
“Maybe, but her best isn’t mine. I’m leaving. You can avoid your fight.”
He sighed and shook his head. “No. I’m telling her what I’ve decided no matter what. You can stay or leave, but you’re welcome back whenever you want.”
I nodded, even more impressed. “Okay, Frank.”
“Okay.” He turned and left without another word.
I liked him. As much as I didn’t want to, I liked him. I thought he was an idiot for marrying my mother, and maybe a little gullible, but he seemed like a decent enough man.
I finished packing and stood up, tossing my duffel over my shoulder. The house was comfortable, by far the nicest place I’d lived in a long time, but I had to be moving on. I had my bike, some stuff in storage, and some cash in savings. I was going to be fucking fine.
But for some reason I didn’t want to leave. Pride or not, part of me wanted to drop my bag and take Frank up on his offer. I wanted to stay next door to Alexa, to flirt with her mercilessly until she eventually gave in to herself and her needs.
But fuck that. Fuck weakness. I pushed open my bedroom door and went down the steps.
Outside, I found my bike parked where I’d left it. I sat down on the seat, grabbed the clutch, and started it. The engine roared to life as I gave the house one last look.
And then Alexa came out the front door dressed in short shorts and a tight as fuck T-shirt. I knew I should have gotten out of there, sped away, signed her papers through the mail and forgotten the whole fucking thing. I should have concentrated on my fighting. But I didn’t.