Page 85 of Villainous Summer

“No. It’s Mom’s. Passed down to her by her father. Her name was on the deed. I’ve been paying for the upkeep for over a year now.”

“And who paid it for years before that?” he asked with a smirk.

“Was that before or after you were fucking your nineteen-year-old assistant?”

He chuckled. “Oh, come now. We’re past all that, aren’t we? I get why you were miffed at the time. You were a kid, and I’m sure it was confusing for you, but you’re a man now. You get how the world works.”

“So, maturing to you is having free rein to cheat on your chronically ill spouse?”

He flapped a hand at my argument. “Glyn is over all that. Seems happy enough—”

“No thanks to you.”

He frowned that same thin line from when I would ask him for help with my homework as a child. The only thing he ever taught me willingly was car maintenance.

“Look. Was I perfect? Of course not. No one is. But me and your mom, it’s complicated. But that doesn’t mean you and I can’t patch up this squabble.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” Pushing past him to the garbage can on the side of the house, I lifted the lid and tossed in the bag with more force than necessary.

“Van, come on. Don’t be like this. I came over here to see if we could tal—oh, hello there.”

Slamming the lid with a deafening clang, I glanced over to the porch.

Summer was standing there, arms wrapped around herself, wearing my old University of Washington shirt.

In any other circumstance, I’d be ecstatic at the sight. But her long tanned legs on display and her hair a glorious mess were more than I could handle in front of my father.

“Bruce Logan, Donovan’s father.”

Summer took his hand, hesitation flickering on her face. “Summer.”

He turned to face me, Summer’s hand still in his. “Well, she is a looker, ain’t she? Nice work, son.”

Before he could step closer, I rush to her side, pulling her hand free from his and stepping between them. “Go inside, Summer.”

“But—”

An irritated expression crossed her face, and I could tell she rankled at being ordered around.

“Please,” I hissed out between my teeth.

Scowling at me, she turned on her heel, muttering, “Fuck you very much.”

Alone on the porch, I crossed my arms. From my spot two steps up from him, I towered above.

“Nice work, champ. Seem like you take after me in more ways than one. Of course, we always knew how to attract the pretty ones, don’t we?”

“I’m nothing like you.”

He chuckled at me. “Of course you are. You’re a Logan, after all. Ladies love us. That one, though—phew. I bet she’s fun to have around.”

My feet and hands were moving faster than I could think. One moment, I was standing on the porch and the next, my father was slammed against the side of the house, his shirt in my fist as I spewed, “Don’t you say another fucking word about her, or I will bust your teeth in.”

“Alright, alright.” He put his hands up in surrender. “No more talking about your pretty little girlfriend.”

Smoothing out his shirt, he shook his head. “That’s no way to treat your old man. Can’t say I’m not impressed with how strong you are, though. You work out?”

This entire exchange was getting too ridiculous.

---