Page 116 of My Only

Got into position.

Held my cue stick steady.

Lined up another shot.

Struck the white ball…

And missed. Again.

“Fuck!” I barked before kissing my teeth.

My father chuckled at my reaction.

Then he circled the table with calm precision.

“You know what I don’t get, son?” he mused, chalking his cue stick.

He glanced at me.

“You got a damn good woman at home.”

His stare hardened.

“And yet? You’re out here entertaining someone who ain’t your wife.”

My pulse ticked faster.

I clenched my teeth.

It was bad enough I was losing this game, which I absolutely hated.

But now?

Now he was accusing me of something I didn’t even do.

“But you know...” My father laughed to himself, shaking his head. “You always did love admirers.”

He leaned against the pool table, rolling the cue stick in his palm.

“The girls used to flock to you—from the time you were building blocks in kindergarten to the days you were running track in high school and college.” He smirked. “But I let it be.”

His eyes shifted up to mine.

“Because you were young. And I knew you didn’t need to be concerned with settling down with any of these likkle girls.”

His smirk faded.

“And that’s why I told you hell no when you said you were interested in Ayla.”

My jaw clenched.

I looked away, shaking my head.

I hated when he reminded me of that.

When he made me go against what I wanted.

What I finally have now.

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