Topanga and me,” Lowell says as we sit in the back office of an ice cream shop that we use as a cover business.
I look at my VP with his long, lean legs stretched out like a kid bored at school. All these years, Lowell has been the one to keep me sane. My sisters push my buttons every fucking day as if taking a break might lead us all to poverty and despair. Rooster has gotten too relaxed in his old age. Wheels only wanted to have fun.
“Haven’t we earned that shit?” my brother-in-law would always say.
Lowell acts as the straight man. The soothing force behind my dominating one. He tells me when I’m working too hard or wanting the wrong things. Of everyone I know, he’s the only person I view as a real friend. The rest of the club is like family. They drive me crazy, and I love them, but they demand me to remain at my best. Lowell is the only one I can trust to be an idiot around.
“I haven’t even gone on a date with Lana. Why the fuck would I want to sign up for a double date?”
“Because Topanga can get the inside dish. You know how friendly and sneaky she is.”
Rubbing my chin, I realize I forgot to shave this morning. My brain’s been off since I walked into that old lady house in Shasta and met my daughter. I think I might be wearing the same clothes as yesterday too.
“That’s true, but a date says to Lana that I want something that might backfire.”
“You’ve had girlfriends before. There was that one lady with the tongue ring.”
“Who I wouldn’t introduce to my kids, let alone want in my house.”
“Why date her?”
“She was funny and gave great blowjobs.”
“Is Lana funny?”
“I’m not sure. But certainly not like Trish, that’s for sure. But Trish was mean. That’s why I didn’t let her around the girls.”
“Topanga heard Lana did well with Sidonie.”
Cocking an eyebrow, I ask, “She heard that, huh?”
“Barbie told her that Lana was a good mom.”
“Really?” I say, wondering where this fucking praise was when Barbie and Lana shared a room.
“You know how she is,” Lowell says, knowing what my expression means. “Protective of her little brother who can’t handle women.”
“I do have a bad track record.”
“Topanga thinks Lana is your honey.”
I roll my eyes at how the old ladies are always trying to hook me up with someone long term.
“She hasn’t even met her.”
“Yeah, but what’re the chances of you fucking a hot stripper, her having your kid, and also being a good mom. Plus, Lana’s connected to people we want to behave.”
Frowning, I tap my fingers on the desk. “So, I should keep Lana around for the club?”
“You’re keeping her around anyway, aren’t you? If she isn’t a shithead like your other baby mamas, she’ll be in your life for a long time.”
“Let’s say I give this a shot, and it fails. Then I’m on bad terms with a woman with the power to make trouble. She can keep my kid from me. Oh, and let’s not forget those connections to people we want to behave. I get how Topanga doesn’t think that far out. She’s too busy with her romantic lady notions. But you ought to fucking know better.”
Lowell wants to laugh at me. He fights a grin and then sighs. “I know you’re trying to be smart here, Bronco. I really do, and that’s honorable since you’re watching out for your girls. However, we both know there is no way you don’t fuck Lana again.”
Thinking of Lana in my bed days ago, I know he’s right. However, I’m still hoping my iron will can keep our relationship simply friendly. Lowell must see something on my face because he fucking laughs.
“Look, she’s hot, right? Women, for some reason, go gaga over you. Who can know why?” he says, still chuckling. “Don’t forget that I was there that night when you first saw Lana. I knew without a doubt that you two were hooking up. But it was one fuck in the back seat of a car. No way is that enough. You’ll eventually dip your dick back into her pond, and you might as well do it with your head on straight.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“No, you’re pretending you can take or leave her. As if it doesn’t matter. Then, when you get her alone, and it happens, shit will be all emotions and no brains. Why not just