Mr. Big Jerk: A Forbidden Second Chance Romance (Kinda Cocky Series Book 3), стр. 4

Not that she wasn’t good at her job. On the contrary, she excelled at her position. But, damn it, if that girl wasn’t a major distraction. If I thought she was hot in all that club attire she donned in the evenings, then she was breathtaking in her pin-up pencil skirts, and her hair piled high on her head for work. I never thought I’d find a woman that was sexier clothed than not clothed. Roxy pulled it off somehow, though.

“Stop thinking about her. You’re losing it,” I murmured.

And my phone ringing on my desk saved me from my own debauched thoughts.

“This is Clint,” I said.

“This is father.”

I chuckled. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

“That’s how you always answer your phone?”

“You pay attention to how you answer the phone next time and then figure out where I got it from.”

He chuckled. “Well, at any rate, I wanted to call and see how things were going with the new company.”

I leaned back into my leather chair. “Things are fine, sir. I got four men out on patrols right now, and two more just checked in with me. I’ve got contracts I need to sign on my end to get new clients up and running, but I should still clock out by five.”

“Patrols? Clock out? What are you, still in the Navy?”

“I’ll never not be a SEAL, sir.”

“I’m not ‘sir. I’m your father.”

I paused. “Yes, si--Dad.”

He sighed. “How are you doing? I mean, in general?”

“Dad, we don’t--.”

“How are you doing, son?”

I really didn’t want to broach this topic. But, I figured it would pop up eventually. You know, since I haven’t talked about my divorce once it was finalized.

“I’m good, Dad. Really.”

“Are you sure, Clint?”

I snickered. “What more do you want from me? I’m home. I’m stable. I’ve nailed down a therapist. I’ve got a company I’m running and a family empire that’s building, and that doesn’t show you how good I am?”

“Not emotionally, no.”

“Leave the emotions for my therapist to sift through.”

“I’m your father, Clint. And you’re my firstborn. My SEAL. My pride and joy. I want to know how the fuck you’re doing.”

I grinned. “Well, when you put it that way.”

“Cut the shit.”

My voice grew curt. “I am, Dad. This is me cutting the shit. And I’m sorry if I’m not like Zane, who can just pour his heart out to you anytime he wants.”

“I didn’t say you were like--.”

“Dad, really. I’m good. It happened, it sucked, and I moved on. Just like I said I would if anything like that happened.”

“She didn’t deserve you, Clint.”

I shook my head. “No, she didn’t.”

“That ex-wife of yours was nothing but a two-timing, selfish whore who didn’t know which end of a man was up. I’d love to get her in a room by herself and ask her just what the fuck she thought she’d get away with. Did she think you were stupid or something? No, no, no. My Clint deserves better. And he’s going to find better. Right?”

I chuckled. “You feel better?”

“Right, son?”

“I don’t know. I’m not focused too much on chasing women or finding myself one. All of my focus is on this business right now.”

“Well, don’t let her take that joy from you. She robbed you of your marriage, but she doesn't have to rob you of your future.”

“I’m a Navy SEAL, Dad. I’ll be fine.”

“Sure, in a war zone. But, this isn’t a war zone, Clint. It’s the battlefield of your emotions. And I’m not sure you’re equipped to handle it.”

I blinked. “Are you even listening to yourself right now?”

“Your mother’s standing behind me.”

I heard her scoff. “Come on!”

“What!?” he exclaimed.

I roared with laughter as I held my stomach. I knew my mother had to be behind this, one way or another. And listening to them bicker, oddly enough, made my day.

“Dad?” I asked.

“Hold on, son. Sweetheart, why can’t you just--.”

“Dad!”

“What?”

I laughed. “Just leave her alone. You know she means well.”

He sighed. “Not when she drags me into shit.”

“You married her. You’ll always be dragged into it.”

“Nice to see you learned something other than pain and hurt from your marriage.”

I palmed my hair. “I’m not as fragile as you guys think I am. And by the way, this is exactly why vets don’t go to see therapists. Because then people start acting weird around them.”

“All right, all right. We get your point.”

“Thank you. Now, can I get back to work?”

“Depends. You coming over for dinner tonight?”

I nodded. “I’ll be there if you let me off this phone so I can finish work.”

“See you tonight.”

“See you then.”

I hung up the phone and got back to work. And it didn’t take me long to wrap up my day before I needed to leave. I packed things up and closed down the office for the long weekend. Monday was a holiday, and while everyone in my company had the day off, it came at a cost to myself. I was handling all of the patrols and the watches on the schedule so my guys could take some time to be with their friends and families.

I wonder what Roxy will be doing Monday.

I shook the thought from my head as I slung my stuff into the saddlebags on my Harley. Then mounted the seat and slid my helmet on, ready for the long drive out to Mom and Dad’s estate. I loved riding my bike out to their place. The drive was always so peaceful. And with the sun setting and nighttime falling upon us quicker than normal, it would make for a wonderful ride back home.

I pulled up the long, winding driveway of my childhood home. I parked my Harley and packed my helmet away before finding myself inside. I followed the wonderful smell of food until I emerged into the kitchen, watching Mom stir a pot of sauce while Dad pulled rolls out of the oven.

“There he is!” he exclaimed.

Mom dropped her spoon. “Oh, there’s my boy. Come here and give your mother a hug.”

I smiled. “Hi, Mom.”

She