Page 21 of Step Daddy

“It’s probably the food. You want me to get it?”

Gareth shot to his feet. “No. It’s really starting to piss me off the way the security in this building has gone all to hell. Even if it is the food.” He pointed at Kit as he started toward the door. “I’m not taking any chances with you here, so always let me see who it is first.”

Kit thought Gareth was kind of overreacting, but at the same time, it made him feel special. “I promise.”

“Good boy.”

Kit’s jaw dropped, but he didn’t think Gareth saw him since he was already on his way to the front door. Why had Gareth said that? Did he still think of him as a twelve-year-old kid? Or was it related to the remark Dev made at the diner about boys?

Kit didn’t have time to ponder further because of the raised voices in the entryway. He sat up straighter, pinching his eyebrows together as he tried to work out what was being said with the voices piled on top of each other.

“No!” Gareth yelled. “You can’t come in, Colby. We can talk about it right here then figure out a solution if you’re in any kind of trouble.”

“This used to be my house too, you know.” The voice was closer this time. “I want to come back. It didn’t work out with Daddy Brock. He’s not—”

Kit and the mystery man both gasped when they locked eyes. The guy was gorgeous, just like a model. Pale blue eyes, porcelain skin, blond, sexily tousled hair, pouty lips and a long, lean body. A dab of mascara and eye shadow accentuated the slightly feminine aspect of his features and the clothes he wore seemed pricey and designer.

“Who the fuck is this?” Colby jabbed his finger at Kit as if he were a bug, his face screwed up in disgust. “You’ve already replaced me with a new boy?” He angrily crossed his arms. “I see you didn’t let any grass grow under your feet.”

Gareth’s face was scarlet, and Kit couldn’t tell if it was from anger, embarrassment or both.

“Don’t give me that. You’ve been with Brock for over two months, Colby.” Gareth turned to Kit, a pained expression on his face. “Kit, I’m so, so sorry. You can wait in the other room if you’d like while I take care of this.”

Colby threw his hands in the air. “Oh, I’m something to be taken care of now, like a broken faucet or something.”

Gareth let out a frustrated groan. “Colby, I just need to know one thing. Did Brock kick you out, or did you storm out? If you don’t have a place to stay, I can put you up in a hotel for the night until I can discuss with Brock what’s going on. When you left me for him, I asked around in the community, and he’s well regarded.”

Gareth seemed to have regained his composure as he spoke. His stance widened, and he crossed his arms, his features hardening. “If you’re truly in trouble, I’ll help you out. But not the way you want. You’re not coming back to me and you’re not staying here. We lead separate lives now.”

Colby crossed his arms too. “I hate you. You never checked on me while I was with Brock, never made sure I was okay. You didn’t even try to get me back!”

Gareth kept his eyes fixed on Colby, not backing down a bit. “Oh, I made sure you were all right. But I’m sure it wasn’t how you wanted. Once you told me you were done with us, I accepted your wishes. I’d already felt our time together was coming to an end, that we weren’t well-suited. My responsibility as your Daddy and partner ended when I verified that Brock was a good guy and heard from others at the club that you seemed happy. I don’t know what your game is now, but I’m not interested in finding out.”

“Because of him.” Colby stabbed his finger at Kit again.

“No, Colby. Because of you.”

“Then go to hell, asshole! Brock was a better Daddy than you’ll ever be.”

“I’m glad to hear it. You should probably go back to him then.”

Colby gasped and stamped his foot. “Fuck you!”

With that, Gareth’s ex marched out of the condo, hurling insults as he left, then slammed the door behind him. Gareth rubbed his face with both hands, then regarded Kit with a mournful expression. Kit couldn’t stand seeing him so hurt, so defeated. He jumped to his feet then ran over to his brother, throwing his arms around him in a big hug. Gareth tensed and didn’t hug him back. Kit didn’t release him. He knew Gareth wouldn’t let go if the situation were reversed.

“I’m sorry Gareth. He’s just being mean and spiteful.”

Gareth’s body relaxed and he gently clasped Kit’s arms, encouraging them apart. “You’re a sweetheart. But I’m the one who owes you an apology. This is not how I wanted this evening to go.” He chuckled with no humor. “Not by a long shot.”

Gareth took a step away from Kit and ran a hand across the top of his head. “Nor is it how I wanted my way of life to be revealed to you. But between Dev and Colby, I think the universe is trying to tell me something.” Gareth gestured to the sofa. “If you’re not too rattled by what just happened, I’d like to talk.”

Kit had already wondered if Gareth was involved in some sort of Master/slave lifestyle from the way Dev had talked and Gareth’s reluctance to go into details. Kit wasn’t completely oblivious. But he didn’t know enough about the subject or what living that way might entail, so he’d been waiting until Gareth was ready to share his personal life with him.

“I’m not too rattled.” Kit took a seat. “And you don’t have to apologize for someone else’s bad behavior.”

Gareth regarded him for a few beats then nodded. “You’re much more mature than a lot of guys your age.” He grunted. “Colby included. He’s actually a couple years older than me.”

Kit frowned. “But he calls you Daddy, right? How does that work?”

He didn’t know how any of it worked.

The second Gareth sat down the doorbell rang again. “Jesus.” He popped up. “That’s it. I’m fucking moving.” Gareth regarded Kit. “I’ll be right back. Hopefully, this time it’ll be with food.”

Kit nodded but wasn’t so sure he could force down any food right now. He was dying to hear all about this Daddy/boy thing. Plus, he couldn’t stop thinking about how Colby had assumed he and Gareth were together.

That I was his boy.

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