Page 41 of Taste Me Daddy

None of these values were even remotely present in Phillip Neal. Not a single aspect of Phillip’s behavior was something that would be held in high regard in Japanese culture. So the very thought that Phillip was being backed by Japanese money made absolutely no sense to Michael.

The only possible reasoning that Michael could come up with was that Phillip had given his Japanese backers a false impression of who he truly was. This kind of deceit was frowned upon in Japan, and that was putting things mildly.

‘Okay, it’s time,’ Max said. ‘I want six pullups. The first three will fly up, the last three will be harder.’

‘Yeah…’ Michael replied, his mind whirring with the realization that if Phillip’s Japanese backers found out about the kind of man he was, they would almost certainly distance themselves from him in the quickest, most clinical way imaginable.

‘I recognize that look,’ Max said, a knowing smile on his face. ‘You’ve figured out how to take down Phillip, haven’t you?’

Michael nodded and allowed himself a small moment of satisfaction. But with Max around, there wasn’t any time to feel too happy – there were some serious weights that needed lifting.

‘Okay, let’s smash these pullups and you can get on with your day,’ Max roared. ‘These pullups won’t know what’s hit them, and neither will Phillip once you’re done with him. Okay. Three-two-one… go!’

With that, Michael began his set of pullups.

The weight attached to Michael’s belt might have been heavy, but suddenly Michael felt like he could lift the entire world on his shoulders and not break out into a sweat.

Michael’s brain was forming a plan for precisely how to take Phillip down, and Michael couldn’t wait to find Korben, and keep him up to date with the plan that would make their world right again…

Chapter 17

Korben

The sun might have been shining through the cottage-style windows of Korben’s workshop, but Korben felt far from sunny himself.

It might have felt like the right thing to do at the time, but Korben was beginning to regret running away from Michael when things got tough.

‘Poo. Michael will just think I’m a silly little boy now,’ Korben said, brining Jazz in tight for a cuddle. I should have stuck around and shown him how tough I can be. Michael might not even want to be my Daddy anymore now.’

Korben let out a long sigh.

As independently minded and determined as Korben was, that didn’t mean that he never felt insecure or needed support. But as much as he was beginning to regret running out on Michael the way he did, there was still one feeling that Korben couldn’t seem to shake.

Why did Michael lie to me?

He held back on the truth for too long.

And he knew how much I hated the thought of being kept in the dark…

Korben let out a long, sad sigh.

In that moment, Korben truly felt bad. This wasn’t a situation that was going to be solved with a wave of a magic wand or a ton of positive vibes, that was for sure.

The problem with having the truth about Phillip Neal and his threat to Korben’s Kandies held back from his was that it brought back some bad memories of his law school boyfriend, Topher who would do similar things.

Except when Topher did these things, it was with the intention of belittling and controlling Korben. Of course, Korben knew that Michael didn’t tell his about Phillip Neal for any kind of sinister reason but that didn’t change the fact that it brought back some painful feelings from the past.

Korben turned away from the window and faced himself in the direction of his biggest idea board. The very thought that Phillip had sent people to break into his workshop to steal his ideas sent a shiver down Korben’s spine.

The workshop was a true safe space for Korben, the sanctuary where he felt like everything was set up just right and in a way that would always make his smile. Suddenly, Korben’s smile was nowhere to be seen. Even the sight of his trusted idea board wasn’t cheering Korben up at all.

‘Maybe I should call it a day and go back to my place,’ Korben said, his voice downbeat and lacking his typical spark.

But just as Korben was contemplating shutting the workshop down for the day, he heard a knock at the door. And even before he walked over to open the door, Korben could tell from the giggles and laughter coming from the other side exactly who it was ready and waiting to greet his…

‘It’s picnic time!’ Louie giggled, handing Korben a super-sized picnic basket that felt heavy enough to be carrying enough juice boxes and treats to last an entire year.

‘We figured you’d be here,’ Danny said, hugging Korben. ‘I hope it’s okay we came?’

---