The Party

Of course, the problem was that he always went into every sexual relationship making it clear that he would not want more. But every single time it got f**ked up by some chick clinging to the desperate hope that they would be the one to tame him. With hate and loathing for him burning on Lydia’s face, it would now seem she was about to join the long line of former flings.

He cocked his brows at her. “So that’s it? We’re done because you’re suddenly feeling used?”

Lydia tore back the sheet and shot out of bed. “Get out! Get out of my house, you sorry son of a bitch!”

“Fine, I’ll be happy to,” Aidan grumbled as he unraveled himself from the comforter. Just as he stood up from the bed, Lydia threw his pants at him. They smacked into his face followed by his shirt. “Jesus, I’m going, okay? Trust me that I don’t want to stay here with you one second longer.”

He jumped into his pants. Her tirade had doused any desire he had along with his erection. He didn’t bother buttoning them up or putting on his shirt. He snatched up his shoes that he had kicked off in the living room before stomping out the front door.

Unfuckingbelievable.

One phone call from his father had managed to c**k block him with Lydia forever. What was it about chick’s and meeting families? The last time he had actually dared to bring a girl around his family was almost six years ago. It had been just two years after he had broken things off with his former fiancée, Amy. At the time, he hadn’t thought anything about asking his newest flame to join him. After all, it was just a harmless 4th of July BBQ—or so he thought. But the moment his flavor of the month met his mom and dad all she could hear were wedding bells. Two days later she started referring to them as “we”, and Aidan stopped calling her. He didn’t do “we”.

He never did and never would.

Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He had tried monogamy, relationships---even an engagement, but he had been so badly burned by it that he vowed never again. Seven years later, he was happy being a confirmed bachelor with no plans of ever settling down. Even though it seemed to be his family’s mission in life to get him married, settled, and with a houseful of kids.

Aidan shuddered as he pulled into his driveway. No way in hell was that ever happening.

***

After taking a leisurely shower and then shaving, Aidan had slipped on his finest suit before heading out the door to pick up his father. Just as he expected, Patrick was already waiting for him in the driveway. “It’s just now eleven,” Aidan said as Patrick opened the door.

“I didn’t say anything.”

Aidan grinned. “I was just stating facts in case you tried to say I was late.”

“Do you really think I’m that much of a crotchety old man?” Patrick mused as he buckled his seatbelt.

“You’re starting to get that way a little bit, Pop.”

Patrick chuckled. “It must be the fact I’ve been spending too many Saturdays down at the VFW. Those other senior citizens are rubbing off on me.”

Aidan grinned. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what it is.”

“Did you remember Mason’s gift?”

Fighting the urge to roll his eyes, Aidan replied, “Yes, Pop. I did.”

“I was just asking. Why are you being so testy? Not enough sleep last night?”

Aidan tore his gaze off the road to stare at his father. “I plead the fifth on that one, thank you.”

“That sounds pretty guilty to me. You should have brought your lady friend to the Baptism.”

With a snort, Aidan replied, “No, I don’t think so.”

“Ashamed of your family?”

“Of course not. Besides, she’s not much of a lady, least of all a friend. We’re not anything anymore.” Under his breath, he muttered, “Not that we were much to start with.”

Patrick sighed. “I still hope that one day before I die, I get to attend your son or daughter’s baptism.”

Aidan couldn’t help jerking his hands on the wheel, which caused the car to swerve on the road. “Pop, please. I’d like to make it through today without a guilt trip, okay?”

“So it’s wrong for me to wish you were married and had children?”

With a grunt, Aidan whipped the car into the parking lot behind the church. “I’m going to say this, and then I’m done with conversation, okay? The closest thing I’m ever going to be to a parent is standing up as Mason’s godparent. Got it?”

Patrick nodded sadly. “Fine son. Whatever you say.”

“Good. Now come on. It isn’t every day your first great-grandchild is baptized, right?”

“That’s true,” Patrick said, with a smile.

After getting out of the car, Aidan popped the trunk. He took out the bag from the jewelry store that held the finely wrapped package with Mason’s cross in it. Even though he had gotten a small one, Aidan imagined it would dwarf Mason’s small form for quite a while. The kid was barely six weeks old—a little young for a usual baptism, but since it was close to Christmas, it was the best time to get all the family together, including his sister, Julia, who lived out of state.

As they stepped into the church, Patrick motioned Aidan to one of the side rooms. When he opened the door, he was bombarded by his sisters and their families. All his nieces and nephews wanted hugs and to tell him about what had been going on at school or dance classes or soccer practice. He gave each of them his undivided attention. Finally, they abandoned him for Patrick, and he could take a relaxing breath.

After handing over Mason’s gift to his brother-in-law, Tim, he turned to his sister Angie.

“Well, if it isn’t The Godfather,” she mused.

He grinned. “The one and the only.”

She hugged him tight. “We’re so honored that you agreed to do this for Mason. He’s a lucky little man.”

Aidan pulled away to stare skeptically at his sister. “Frankly, I’m still surprised I even made the list of perspective candidates period. Surely there were more…how should I say this? Suitable choices?”

Angie shook her head. “You were the only one in the world Megan wanted.”

A gentle tug pulled at Aidan’s heart at the mention of Megan. He had always tried hard not playing favorites with his nine nieces and nephews, but he had always had a strong bond with her.

Pulling off his coat, he glanced around the room. “Speaking of, where are Megan and the Little Man of the hour?”