Page 4 of Deadly Daddy

Kyson looked up again. His dark green eyes really looked puffy, and that bugged the shit out of Banks. “Yes. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Even Banks heard the question in his voice—like he was unsure of his own answer. There was something wrong with his chest. He felt sad for some reason he couldn’t explain. Banks needed Kyson to fix it. “What are you doing? You seem pretty intensely focused on your phone over there.”

Kyson’s ears turned red.

Banks had a bad feeling he was about to get angry.

“Um. I’m looking for a job.”

Yep. He was angry. Banks took a drag from his cigar, hoping to temper his voice. “Why? You don’t need a job. Am I not taking good enough care of you?”

Kyson’s gaze slid away.

Banks’ heart dropped. “I’m not taking care of you.” There was no missing the hurt in his voice.

Kyson immediately focused on him. “You take amazing care of me. I just thought maybe I should start looking for a way to get out of your hair. It’s been six months, after all.”

“Put your phone away. You’re not going anywhere. Nothing makes me happy except taking care of you.” Banks swallowed. He sounded bossy—like an absurd lover. “It would break my heart if you left me. If you want to go, I won’t stand in your way, but I’d miss you.” Everyone left him. He shouldn’t have expected more from Kyson.

Kyson set his phone aside. “Talk to me. What did you just think you don’t want to share? I saw it in your eyes.”

A sad smile pulled at Banks’ lips. This was why he loved Kyson. Banks blinked at his thoughts. When had he fallen in love with Kyson? A vague memory surfaced. Kyson stroked his hair. He was only half conscious on the bathroom floor, but he remembered the sweet way Kyson kissed his forehead. Banks loved him. “You don’t want to hear how ugly my thoughts can be.”

“Yes, I do.” Kyson set his elbow on the table and propped up his chin, as if settling in to hear whatever Banks had to say. “Just tell me that one thought.”

A laugh rumbled from Banks. “Damn. You really want me exposing myself over here.”

A gorgeous smile stretched Kyson’s lips. “Just one confession. I’ll even trade you. One exposing thought for one of mine.”

Goddamn it. Banks really wanted Kyson to expose himself. “If I do this, you can’t get mad at me or preachy. I know I’m fucked up.”

Kyson drew a cross on his chest. “I swear.”

Banks took another hit. “I thought everyone leaves me, so I guess I can’t blame you for wanting to go.”

“I don’t want to go.”

Fuck. Banks really hoped that wasn’t his one confession. He wanted more. “Then why were you looking for a job? For real. Not just some bullshit about getting out of my hair.”

Kyson blew out a sigh and sat back. “Last night.”

“I’m sorry.” The apology popped from him with zero hesitation. “You shouldn’t have had to ever take care of me like that. I’m sorry I’m a mess.”

Kyson shook his head. “It’s not that.” He blew out another tired-sounding breath like this conversation was pulling from his soul. “Shane carried you to bed and then kind of fussed at me. I don’t know. Since I moved in, you’ve kept me so insulated, I haven’t dealt with feeling humiliated in a while. It’s not Shane’s fault. I guess I just felt exposed, and I don’t do well with people’s anger anymore.” He held Banks’ stare. Then, unexpectedly, his shoulders squared. “No. You know what? I’m mad. I don’t care what made you do what you did, but I shouldn’t be made to feel wrong for caring about what happens to you. You matter to me. I care.”

In the face of Kyson’s adorable outrage, Banks couldn’t stop smiling. “Thank you.”

Kyson’s forehead furrowed. “For what?”

“For being the best part of me.”

Kyson visibly melted. “Oh. You’re welcome.”

A laugh burst from Banks. Kyson honestly deserved better from him. “Do you want to do something today?”

Kyson shrugged. “Like what?”

“I don’t know.” It was an honest answer. He no longer knew what people did for fun. “Play mini golf. Go see a movie. Find an arcade. You know, a day date.”

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