Page 26 of Born Daddy

The band-aid needed to be ripped off so they could all move on with their lives. Just because Cameron had turned out to be a psycho, that didn’t mean he had the power to ruin their friendship as well.

“Beer?”

His gaze landed on first Lenny then Mitch, neither of them meeting his eyes as they sat stiffly on the sofa, their hands folded and heads bowed. Rogan raked his fingers through his hair. Never had he seen such guilt manifested by his friends.

“Guys. We’re here to enjoy the game, have some laughs. Nothing changes that.”

Lenny peered up at him. “I’m really sorry about the other day, man. I thought I could do it, but…well, I just couldn’t, that’s all.”

Mitch rubbed the back of his neck then met Rogan’s eyes. “See, I knew there was no way all along, but that still doesn’t excuse us leaving you holding the bag.” He winced. “How bad was it?”

Rogan grunted. “It wasn’t great.” His thoughts drifted to Tate and he cleared his throat. “But not all bad. I…”

He wasn’t sure if sharing his experience of running into Tate was such a great idea. He especially didn’t want to give the details of anything Tate had confided in him.

Mitch rose, brushing his hands on his chinos. “I’ll grab the beers, then I’d like to hear about the service, hear how Mrs. LeBlanc is doing.” His eyes darted to the can Rogan had left on the coffee table before he’d answered the door. “Need another?”

Rogan grunted. “Yeah. I’m ready for another.”

After Mitch had retrieved their drinks, Rogan sat on the side chair next to the sofa. He took a healthy slug of his beer then recounted the basics of the ceremony and how Cam’s mom had held up.

Lenny shook his head. “Wow. So, no one but Mrs. LeBlanc and some reporter guy showed up? Not even the boyfriend…?” Lenny snapped his fingers in the air. “God, what was his name? The one I saw in the news.” He regarded Mitch. “You know who I mean. He was always hiding in the corner the few times we hung out with Cam. They were both into all that weird, kinky stuff.” Lenny turned to Rogan. “I bet you have the scoop. Are they going to arrest him? Or are they still waiting to get more evidence?”

Mitch nodded. “Yeah, spill the beans. He had to have helped. After all, they both got off on that perverted stuff.”

With all the teeth clenching Rogan had been doing that day, he wondered if he was in danger of breaking a molar or two.

“Tate isn’t guilty. End of story.”

Both Mitch and Lenny stared at him with mouths agape, Lenny frozen with his beer halfway to his mouth. He set it back down.

“Tate, yeah. That was it.” He tilted his head. “So, they cleared him?” His brow creased. “I guess they would know. But if he’s really innocent, they should make an announcement.” He snorted. “I mean, how fucked up is that? Not doing anything, but everyone still thinks you’re guilty of some really sick shit.”

Rogan wiped his mouth with the back of his hand then wrapped his fingers around his beer, clutching it in front of him as he pondered how he should proceed.

“Tate was there, hiding in the back, kind of like you said he always did. I didn’t recognize him at first. Not until he approached me in the parking lot after the service.”

Rogan lifted his eyes and noted his friends were leaning forward a tad, seemingly no longer interested in their beers as they gave him their complete attention. Rogan continued.

“We ended up grabbing some coffee, and I had the chance to hear his side of the story. I believe him when he says he didn’t know.”

Mitch burst into gales of laughter, throwing his head back and slapping the couch cushion several times. Lenny glanced back and forth between Rogan and Mitch, a frown marring his features. Rogan imagined his own frown was more severe.

As Mitch wiped tears from under his eyes, Lenny regarded him. “I don’t get it. What’s so funny?”

Mitch gave a loud sniff then regarded Lenny as if he were a lunatic. “Whaddya mean? It’s hilarious.” Mitch turned to Rogan. “Look, buddy, no offense. I know you’re the criminal expert and all that, but there’s nothing anyone could say to make me believe that little shit wasn’t involved somehow. They should drag his ass off to prison and lock him up for good.”

Rogan slammed his beer on the table, the contents shooting in the air and splashing across the surface and his hand. “That’s what you think, huh? Because now you’re the expert? Have you talked to him, looked into his eyes and seen the genuine pain there? Understand the type of lifestyle he was leading with Cam, and how Cam controlled everything he did, insisted on his complete obedience which included not being allowed to question where Cam was or what he was doing? Have you? Then please, give me your expert opinion!”

Lenny held up his hands in front of him, turning to Rogan then to a scowling Mitch. “Hey guys, calm down. No need to get so upset. I’m sure we can talk about this rationally.” He chuckled uneasily. “Or not at all. No big deal, right? Rogan was there, you weren’t, we don’t know.” He turned up his hands in a shrugging gesture then returned his attention to Rogan. “Right? We don’t know.” He gave another shaky laugh. “Why don’t we just kick back and enjoy the game. We haven’t been able to relax together for a while.” His shoulders slumped. “Not since this whole thing with Cam went down.”

Rogan’s thundering heart gradually slowed, and he mentally berated himself for losing control. Of course Mitch wouldn’t understand. His friend didn’t deserve to be barked at over something the media had conditioned him to believe.

“I’m sorry, Mitch. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.”

Mitch grunted. “Damn right you shouldn’t have. Especially since you’re delusional.”

Rogan shot to his feet a half a second before Mitch did, with Lenny reacting a second later, stumbling over his own feet as he rushed to get between Rogan and Mitch. Rogan only caught half of Mitch’s enraged shouting as he yelled back at him in kind.

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