Untangling myself from Haley’s body was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do.

But she'd insisted I leave her house, saying she had to get to work, and rushing me away. I’d gone home, feeling like a goddamned teenager again, with my cock still raging and thoughts of her rushing through my head constantly. Fuck, I could still smell her on me.

So much for staying focused, I thought, as I drifted off to sleep alone. It had taken all my strength not to get in the car and go back to her house last night, but I was determined to respect her wishes. I’d already pushed the envelope once. I didn’t want to scare her away.

After practice the next morning, I stopped by my parent’s restaurant. My mother had called around noon, saying things were getting worse. I made time to stop by after hearing her tears.

Pulling into the parking lot, I noticed it was once again empty. While it was mid-afternoon, they should have had at least a few cars parked. Without customers, there was nothing I could do for them.

I walked through the front door. My dear mother walked over excitedly as if she hadn’t believed I would show up. After giving her a quick hug, I nodded to the dining room.

“No customers at all today?”

She shook her head.

“No, and I’m getting worried.”

“I’m going to talk to Pops. He in the back?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think…”

“It’ll be okay,” I interrupted.

She didn’t follow as I made my way to the back of the restaurant. While I wasn’t looking forward to a confrontation with my father, one might be necessary to get him back on track.

“Hey, Pops, catching some down time?” I asked.

Startled, he sat up in his swivel chair and spun around.

“On a break,” he said. “Gotta give the old noggin time to work, you know?”

“Yeah.” I frowned. “Looks dead out there. Been this way all week?”

He pursed his lips together as his brow furrowed.

“What did your mother say to you? She doesn’t know a damn thing.”

“Nothing, Pops. It’s not her fault. You need to step up your online marketing, Dad. I really think it will help.”

“I don’t have time for that Tweeper nonsense.”

“It’s Twitter, and you need to make time.”

“Or what?” he asked, standing up.

I leaned against the doorway of the small, cluttered office, blocking his path.

“Or you’re going to go out of business, and you’ll need me to save you and Ma both.”

We locked eyes. I straightened up as he inched forward. His chest bumped into mine.

“We don’t need your damn football money,” he said, words dripping with acid.

“I’m just trying to help, okay?”

“Well, you’re not helping by coming in here and demanding I do things your way. This is my restaurant. I’m Louie, and this is my house.”

“Look, Pops, I don’t have time for this, okay?”

He shook his head as he sat back down on the office chair and swiveled around.

“I’ve got to go,” I said.

“Of course. Get my blood pressure up then run off.”

“What do you want from me?” I asked. “Aren’t you proud of what I’ve accomplished?”

“You forget how much your mother and I sacrificed to get you through college. Not to mention your high school years.”

I sighed. Here we go again.

“Pops, I appreciate everything you and Ma did for me. Really. But it’s time to move on. Let me help you guys out.”

“You could help out by coming around every night. It would draw a lot of people here to eat.”

“I don’t have time for that right now, but I can help financially.”

“Keep your damn money,” he said, waving dismissively.

I huffed, bit my tongue, then walked back to the front.

“Are you okay, dear?” my mother asked as she sliced peppers.

“I’m fine,” I said. “I’ve got to go. That credit card I gave you is still working, right?”

“Yes,” she said, glancing over her shoulder as if my father might be listening.

“Use it if you need it to make orders or whatever, okay?”

She nodded.

“And pay someone to help you with advertising. That’s what will save this place.”

“But I don’t know anyone like that, Toby.”

“Okay, Ma. I’ll find someone for you.”

“Thank you, Toby. You’re a good son,” she said, kissing me on the cheek. “How is Haley?”

My heart sped up at the mention of her name.

“She’s good, Ma,” I said, smiling.

“I was so sad to hear about her parents,” she said.

“Yeah, me too,” I replied. Haley hadn’t said much about them at all to me. I made a mental note to ask her about them again. “I’ve got to go, okay? I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye, dear. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mom,” I said.

As she waved, I headed out of the restaurant, my head full of thoughts of Haley. Making love to her last night had left me a complete wreck inside. I knew we would have to talk about it eventually. I still didn’t quite know what to make of it, but the one thing I did know was that I was desperate to have her again.

I was a fool to think one more time would be enough.