Page 63 of Corporate Bondage

Epilogue

(Gio)

5 years later

“That’s it.” Keith slammed the door shut and dusted off his hands. “You have got to learn to say no Tate and Bryan dumping their kid on us when they want to sneak off to get some. I didn’t sign up for this parenting shit.”

I grinned at him, leading the way to the living room where we had toys to pick up. “But you’re so good with Isaac. He adores the ground you walk on. He followed you around all the time he was here.”

His scowl deepened. “And what’s up with that? The goddamn kid is annoying.”

I picked up a book and stepped over a ball to get to Keith. I slapped the book against his chest, a book he had bought for Isaac. “I think you’re surly because he’s gone. It’s okay to admit you miss him when he goes. I miss him too.”

“Alright.” He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. “I miss the little devil. He breaks all our expensive shit, and I can’t wait till he’s gone, but when he’s gone I want him to come back. Think I should call my therapist?”

I tugged at his ears. “Don’t be silly. I swear you still go to Doctor Crawford because you have a crush on him.”

“I do not have a crush on the doctor,” he replied, frowning at me.

“Hmm, you know I heard he and his partner are swingers.”

His frown turned into a scowl, and he cupped my ass. “Hey, you get that crazy idea out of your head. You know the one thing the good doc never cured was my possessiveness of you.”

“And may it never be cured because I feel the same way about you.” At his wrinkled nose, I chuckled. “What? Are we being sappy again?”

“Yeah, we’re getting worse than Bryan and Tate.”

“Or Jeremy and Clay.”

“And Marks and Mac.”

"Let's not forget Tony and Ridge."

"Nor Willie and Colt."

We both grinned at each other. So much had changed, and we had wonderful gay friends we hung out with. The doorbell rang, and I smiled widely at him. “Ooh it’s here.”

“What’s here?” Keith asked, following me to the door.

“My surprise. Tomorrow is your birthday, you know. Your gift was scheduled to arrive a day early.”

I opened the door to find my one-time fling Willie standing on my doorstep. I heard Keith growling behind me, his hand resting on my waist, but I ignored him. Willie had grown into his own and worked at the local animal shelter owned by the man he married last year. No one was happier than I that he’d found someone to settle down with. Everyone deserved their happiness.

“Hey, Willie, is everything ready?” I asked him.

He nodded, and as though on cue, his husband Colt approached with the Beagle puppy in a carrier.

“What’s going on, Gio?” Keith stared from the puppy to the man holding it.

“We are adopting a puppy,” I explained, taking the adoption paper Willie handed me with a pen.

“Hold up!” Keith protested. “Isn’t this something we should talk about together? Adopting a puppy is like having a kid. You can’t kick them out when they stop being fun.”

“I know, silly. Besides, remember when we were watching that movie and I asked you wouldn’t it be fun if we had a dog? Remember what you said?”

“We were watching a movie and I was trying to get into your pants!”

“Then, you have only yourself to blame.”

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