Page 41 of Then Came You

Row is going to hear this embarrassing spectacle and never speak to me again.

“I just sent it to her.” I’m in shock, hands on my naked hips.

Urgency thickens in Zee’s voice. “To who? Dad, to who? No one, and I mean no one, should ever receive that video. You’re touching your dick, jacking off. Girls call the police on perverts like you. Oh my God, you’re going to be arrested. The news is going to be camping out here. What have you done? What have you done?” Zee cries, kicking chips out of his way to get to me.

“Wait. Who did you send it to?” Alex tries to compose himself but fails.

“That girl I’m seeing.” My tone is monotonous because my life is over. I haven’t ever been this humiliated.

“Dude.” He chuckles, moving toward the kitchen to clean the mess he and Zee made.

“What girl?” Zee asks, confused.

“Just a girl that I met a couple of months ago, but don’t worry son, she’s never going to speak to me again after the little show I just sent her.” I plonk back down on the couch, pulling my clothes on.

This. Can’t. Be. Happening.

Why me? What did I do wrong in life to deserve this humiliation?

“Why didn’t you tell me? Who is she? Oh my God, please don’t tell me you’ve sent videos of your face to her? Do you pay her for your company?” He alludes to me being with a prostitute.

“No. God. Zee. No. I was waiting to see how it goes before mentioning it to you, but rest assured, after tonight, she has probably blocked my number.

“Yup. Mate, there’s no way to come back from that,” Alex unhelpfully adds, sweeping the discarded chips to the side.

“I’m scarred for life,” Zee mutters.

“Why are you guys here so early? Didn’t we say eight?” I check my watch and low and behold, it’s eight. Fuck. I took forever just to get it right and even then, I blew it, but not literally like I intended.

“Lost track of time tugging the slug,” Alex mocks, now reaching for the mop.

I’m about to respond when my phone chimes. I dive for my phone before Zee can get his grubby paws on it. My eyes nearly leave their sockets. It’s her.

Tink: LOL BEST VIDEO EVER! Have fun at boys' night!

I’m hyper focused, unaware Zee’s stalking me from behind

“Tink? What kind of name is Tink?” Zee snorts.

“Hey, shove off. A little personal space, please?” I shrug him off. “What does LOL mean in this context?” The abbreviation isn’t lost on me, but is it ‘lots of love’ or ‘laugh out loud’?

“Lol!” Alex repeats right back in a teenage girly voice that grates my ears.

“I think it means laugh out loud in this context, Dad.” Zee pats my back. “Let’s all move on from your weird, kinky sex life, and eat, yeah?” I’ve lost my appetite.

My only hope is that Row can keep a straight face on Saturday at Haven’s birthday.

Chapter 17

Blade

"Daddy!" Haven runs into my arms the moment she sees me. She's dressed in a rainbow glitter tutu that is going to plague me for the next three months.

Avalon isn't far behind her, looking stunning as usual. She's in tight-fitted jeans, a white lace corset, and teetering heels that make my own feet hurt. Her hair is slicked back into a high ponytail, and she's sporting her signature scowl, specially reserved for me. I don't hate my ex-wife; I'm just apathetic toward her.

"Hi princess, are you ready for your party?" I twirl her around, spinning toward the backyard where things are still being set up. "Make yourself at home, Av. I'm just going to do a last-minute check." Ever since we divorced, our small talk has been woeful. I don't have much in common with her anymore apart from our children.

She doesn't seem too phased, giving a quick nod before scampering after Haven, who has made her way to the jumping castle.

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