Page 11 of Step Daddy

Shit. What could they talk about? Despite having a million things he wanted to ask Gareth, all the catching up he wanted to do, his mind had suddenly gone empty. Then it struck him.

“Why don’t people think you’re nice?”

Gareth barked out a laugh. “Ah yes. Well, probably because sometimes I’m not.”

Kit tilted his head. “I can’t picture it. You were always nice to me, and you’re being extra, extra nice to me right now.”

Gareth scratched the back of his head then rolled his shoulders. “It’s easy to be kind to people who deserve it. However, I don’t tolerate assholes anymore and I’m not shy about sharing my opinion. At the same time, I think my genetics and upbringing predispose me to being a total dick, so I’ve had to work on that aspect of my personality. The idea of being like Ted is abhorrent.”

Gareth looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. “The good parts of me have been something I’ve had to actively cultivate over the years. The part of me that wants to nurture, to look beyond myself and see to the wellbeing of others.” He returned his gaze to Kit. “When I’m around someone who could use a little nurturing, I tend to take charge. I can knock it off if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Kit straightened. Was that what Gareth was doing? Wishful thinking had probably made him mistake Gareth’s concern as being something more than it was. Man, he was such an idiot.

“No, it doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable at all.” He smiled. “It’s actually a nice change. Once I hit like fifteen or sixteen, what interest or intervention Mom ever made on my behalf sort of dwindled away to nothing. I guess she figured I was old enough to handle things on my own, and she was—probably still is—too drained from being with Ted all these years.”

Gareth shook his head, the creases between his brow deepening. “Why the hell doesn’t she just leave the dick? It’s not as if she needs the excuse of staying for the kids’ sake. Isn’t she still working?”

Kit sighed. How many times had he run this very issue through his mind? “It could be lots of things, I guess. Mostly, I think it’s Ted hammering away at her, never letting her do anything without his permission, chipping away at her self-esteem. And no, she doesn’t work anymore. He said she needed to stay at home and make sure his dinner was on time, make breakfast for him in the morning, keep the house the way he wants it.”

Gareth made a low growling noise. “Are you sure I can’t murder him?”

Kit gasped before realizing Gareth wasn’t serious. “Actually, I kind of wish you could.” He held up his hand. “Kidding.”

Gareth leaned forward and patted Kit’s shoulder before settling back again. “It’s okay. I get it.”

They spent the next few moments sipping their cooling chocolate. Kit drained his then yawned as he placed his empty mug on the coaster.

“Oh wow. Sorry, that was rude.”

Gareth yawned, but with more vigor. “Not as rude as me.” He rose and held out his hand for Kit’s mug. “Come on, kid. You need some sleep. I want to get going early.”

Kit handed over his cup as he rose as well. “Going?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow we begin Operation Innocence. I’m not gonna let ol’ shithead blame you for his crime.”

Tears filled Kit’s eyes, Gareth’s face becoming blurry in his vision. He blinked them away.

“Thank you. This means more than you’ll ever know. I’ll repay you someday, I promise.”

Gareth regarded him with a furrowed brow then stepped forward. He transferred the two mugs by their handles to one hand, then draped his arm around Kit’s shoulder and embraced him with the other. He gave Kit a squeeze as Kit inhaled his brother’s intoxicating scent. If only he could bury his nose against Gareth’s neck, drink him in while Gareth enfolded him in an embrace.

“You never need to repay me.” Gareth jostled him then let go. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re my only family and I’ll stand by you no matter what.” He quirked a smile. “And besides, you’re one of the good ones. You’re my excuse to give this being nice thing a try.”

Kit smiled then fell into another yawn. They both shared an easy laugh and Kit finally felt as if he could fall asleep.

Already Gareth was making things better.

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