24. Paranoid

**Doug**

"Do you know him, Dad?"

"I thought I recognized him from somewhere."

My mind races when I see the look in Dad's eyes the second he lands his gaze on Jodie. I am confused, should I be worried? Or was Dad really just think he recognized Jordan from somewhere?

I do hope it's the latter.

"Yeah? Should I be worried?" I try to play it cool, but then I crack when Dad tilts his head as if he knows that there is something more to my question.

"Why? Does he make you worry?"

"Hmm...everything makes me worry since Kirk. That man brings me a headache even after he's gone."

"That's true, but you need to take it easy. I'll help you with Mac. Why don't you concentrate on the new club for the time being? These things take time and I'd rather have you focus on something else." Dad says resting back on the sofa of my office while I pour him a drink and get a beer for myself.

Yesterday he asked me if I have time to meet up with him, and I've been racking my brain ever since. Dad is usually busy, but since Kirk he has been seeing me and helping me more than I thought he would. Okay, granted he probably has spare time and I've been worrying too much about anything and everything. But still, it feels like I'm missing something.

"Ames told me that she met your girlfriend, Jodie. She's saying that she's Jordan's twin?"

"Ah, I wonder how long will she keep the news to herself." I chuckle before taking a long sip of my beer. I join Dad sitting on the other end of the sofa and decide to relax.

"So that's your girlfriend's twin brother?" Dad asks with a kind of inquisitive tone to his words. This is not the first time he has subjected me to his questions. He had me answer them every time I got myself into trouble when I was younger. He always managed to get the truth out of me.

"You can't fool me, Doug. I know a woman disguised as a man when I see one."

*Fuck.*

"I...it's complicated Dad,"

"Uh-huh, try me." He says, after taking another sip of his bourbon.

"Jordan, I mean Jodie has been working for me for months. I didn't even know he was a woman until I put CCTV cameras all over the bar because of Kirk. Then when I confronted him he told me that Billy, my Bar manager, who is also Jodie's best friend and neighbor informed her of an opening for a male bartender. That time she was desperately in need of a job. She's currently providing for her mom and her sister." I finish my beer and get up to make myself a stronger drink. I pour Dad another glass after he gives me his empty glass.

"So she keeps on lying and you cover for her?" There's an underlining tone in his words, but I just shrug at him, thinking that he has no business getting involved in my work and personal life. I'm an adult.

"Uh...yeah, I mean, this thing just keeps on dragging, the aftermath post Kirk debacle and now with her car and argh...sorry, she's just being difficult about fixing that relic. I've never met someone as stubborn as her."

"Well, there's Ames and your mother." Dad smiles at me, as he takes his glass from my hand.

"Damn...yeah, what's with these women."

"So, you're serious about her?"

The question hits me out of nowhere. Am I serious?

"I care about her, yes...so I think yes, I'm serious about her. But it's all so new. And with everything that's going on..." I try to keep it easy with Dad, but his eyes are studying me.

"Just keep it casual then, you're young. And your mother is in no hurry for another grandchild." He chuckles and then takes a sip of his drink. He may think he's the one reading me, but I can tell by his expression that there's more to his comment.

I want to analyze him more but then he stirs the conversation to the new club and he effectively directs my focus elsewhere. To say that Dad can surely play with my mind is an understatement, the man is probably a professional in controlling conversation. And when he doesn't want me to pursue our talk about Jodie then, it's time for me to talk about anything else besides her.

Again. I don't want to think about it, but him refusing to talk about my girlfriend kind of hit a soft spot in my chest. It's a weird and new feeling for me. And with Dad around, I put the thought on the back of my mind and let him direct the conversation.

The moment Dad's phone buzzes, he curses, and that's when I know we're cutting our talk short. I've seen this happen too many times in the past. Most likely his work and now that I have an idea what field he's working on it makes me worry. I mean, he's older, though I know he's still stronger than men he's age.

"Alright, we need to continue this some other time. Call your mom, come for dinner, she misses you." Dad finishes his drink and sets the glass on the coffee table before he gets up and pats my back like he always does.

"I will. I'm thinking tomorrow night." I blurt out thinking the sooner I get mom's questioning out of the way, the better. Then I can move to think about what I'm going to do with Jodie's car situation.

"Good. Good...I'll be there."

"Okay, let me walk you out." I put my drink next to his glass and opened the door for him. From the corner of my eyes I see Zak cheerfully talking with one of the customers, and Billy shamelessly flirting with the women knowing for a fact that he's gay. Then I see Jodie who is laughing with one of the older men in front of her.

"You sure as hell know how to pick your woman." Dad comments as we pass the bar and out to the curb.

"You bring a car?" I decided not to answer his previous words.

"Got the company's driver, he'll be here in a sec."

"Be careful with her."

And just as I am about to say something back, a sleek black SUV slows and Dad slaps a hand on my back. "I'll see you tomorrow, son. Have. A good night."

Still upset with what Dad says, I call Billy to my office when I pass the bar on my way back.

"Hey boss,"

"Billy, how are we doing tonight? How's Zak fitting in with the rest of the crew?"

"We are doing good, the bar is busy. Two group reservations for tonight and another two this weekend. One is for a bachelor gathering." Billy grins knowing tips are going to rain this week. "And Zak is making fewer and fewer mistakes," he chuckles and follows me taking a seat at the chair as I take mine behind the desk.

"Any gossip flying around regarding Kirk?"

"Nah, not the kind that we didn't expect. But it'll go away in a week. Probably even sooner when something fun happens at the bachelor gathering this weekend."

"Wow, you are really looking forward to this aren't you?"

"Are you kidding me? Testosterone and liquor are a stupid combination that dates back hundreds and hundreds of years ago, and still, men have not evolved. It's a shame, and a pretty bad one to miss. So, you bet your ass I'm going to oversee the event. You know...to make sure everything runs nice and smooth."

To that explanation, I finally laugh.

"Anyway, I haven't thanked you for taking care of Jordan the night his car broke down. So, thank you. It means a lot to me and to her family that you help her out."

"I was in the area." I shrug, playing it cool when deep down I want to tell him everything I know about Jodie and that I want him to look after her whenever I can't. "So, you're cool with getting her a lift whenever she needs to? I imagine the car is taking longer at the shop."

"Yeah, I care about her. No worries." He gives me a dismissal wave and I rest back in my chair as we discuss more about operations and vendors.

When it's nearing the end of his work time, she texts me, telling me that she's going home with Billy. I sigh and text her back telling her to be careful and call me once she gets home.

I smirk when I see smiley and kissy face emojis decorate her last text. Yeah, her last text got me plastering a smile on my face too.