Page 129 of Fourth Point Of Contact

“So, you’re mad that you can’t spend time with your mother when you don’t want to, and you’re pissed that Piper is taking your mother off your hands and not spending time with you, which will make it impossible to think there’s anything more going on between you.”

I thought it over and nodded. “Exactly.”

“Patrick, has anyone ever told you you’re just like Edu?”

“I am not,” I frowned.

He raised his hand, ticking off an itemized list on his fingers. “Afraid of commitment, don’t make a fucking lick of sense when it comes to what you want, afraid to be alone for five minuteswith a woman, but terrified that she’s actually leaving you alone…Does that ring any bells?”

“I am not afraid to be alone with a woman for five minutes. I spent the whole of last night with Piper in my bed.”

“Right, but what about actual quality time with her?”

The man was off his fucking rocker. “I brought her coffee in bed and talked to her!”

“Right, while you were staring at her tits.”

Okay, I had pinched her nipple, but that was only because it was there. And yes, I may have been fantasizing about her the whole time, but that was completely normal when you were with a woman.

“What the hell are you gonna do when she leaves?”

“My mom?”

“No, asshole. Piper! She’s got you wrapped around her little finger and you don’t even see it.”

“That’s not true. I would know if I was wrapped around a woman’s finger.”

“Did she order you around?”

I rolled my eyes.

“Did you obey?”

“I didn’t put up a fight. There’s a difference.”

“And why didn’t you put up a fight?”

“Because my mom was there.”

“Eh! Wrong!”

I flinched at the loud noise. “What?”

“You listened and didn’t fight because you secretly love how easily she’s worming her way into your life.”

“I do?—”

“I’m not done talking. The problem is, you like how much she gets along with your mom, and now you’re jealous because you want all that attention on you. Yet, you also want them to bothinclude you. You just can’t stand that the women in your life aren’t giving you all the attention.”

“That doesn’t even fucking make sense.”

“Yet, here you are! Crying in your Wheaties because your mom and your non-girlfriend ran off and left you alone.”

“I’m not crying,” I grumbled.

“No, you’re just sulking, which is just as fucking bad. You’re a grown man, for Christ’s sake. Grow a set of balls and find something productive to do.”

“I am doing something productive! I came to work!”

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