Page 37 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

“Is that legal?” Noah asked, a bit shocked.

“It’s legal. Is it completely moral?” Brody shrugged. “That’s a gray area.” He glanced down at Noah. “Don’t get me started on a long tirade about health care coverage, or the lack thereof, in this country. I did what I had to do.”

“Got it,” Noah said, shifting gears. “How long were you married?”

“We stayed together for a couple of years, long enough for me to heal and for her to give birth. I still see my son from time to time… birthdays, holidays, that kind of thing. Occasionally he comes over to spend the night, but it’s not too often, considering.”

“Is that hard? Not being more involved?”

“When we first ironed out the details, I didn’t plan on being a part of anything. I was simply a sperm donor, in my mind. And they were okay with that. I’m not really father material… but once he was born…” Brody’s face lit up. “Once he was born, it was kind of like… oh, God… here’s this little living thing that’s part of me and he’s absolutely perfect. I couldn’t turn my back and luckily, they let me be a small part of his life. It’s more than I could ever ask for.”

Noah smiled and wondered if his own father had ever glanced at him and thought the same. He doubted it. “He’s aware of the arrangement you guys had?”

“To an extent, yes. He understands there was no burning love between his mother and I, only mutual respect.”

“Respect… that’s a good thing. Better than love, in my mind.”

Brody turned slightly and cuddled him closer. “I told you something about me… now it’s your turn.”

Noah stiffened, worried he’d say the wrong thing.

Brody’s hand slid along his back. “Hey… I didn’t mean to upset you. You don’t have to talk abouthim. Better that you don’t, maybe.”

Him.The lie he’d told was getting bigger with every second. The truth was still on the tip of his tongue, but he feared Brody’s reaction. Would he be tossed out on his ear? Snuggling closer, he didn’t want to go anywhere. His daddy’s arms were warm and safe.For now.

More guilt flooded him, as he lay there cradled in Brody’s arms, feeling like a total asshole. “Not much else to tell. I grew up in the south. Conservative parents who didn’t like that I was gay. I left as soon as I could.”

“And into the wrong arms?”

Brody’s arms felt damned right to him. It took him a moment to realize Brody was talking about his mythical ex. “Maybe.”

“I’ve been there,” Brody murmured. “A lot of Mr. Wrongs over the years led me to a point where I really don’t do relationships anymore.”

“So, I’m only a fling and nothing but, hmm?”

Brody eyed him. “Who knows?”

Noah tried desperately not to find hope in that. He buried his head under Brody’s chin to hide his smile.

“What about this relative of yours? Where am I taking you?”

Noah closed his eyes, old fears returning. “A distant relation who I barely remember,” he replied. “Honestly, I’m terrified to knock on her door.”

“Why terrified?” Brody forced Noah’s chin higher with a gentle finger and captured his stare. “Does she know you’re coming?”

Heat spread through Noah’s cheeks. “No.”

“Chris… you’re going to show up on her doorstep out of the blue?”

Chris… he was beginning to hate that name. He wanted to hear Brody speak his true name. Even if it was only once. “Iliterallyhave nowhere else to turn,” Noah whispered. “It’s that… or…” The street. He couldn’t say it… first off, out of fear. Secondly—he didn’t want to lay that on Brody’s shoulders. If his mother didn’t take him in… he’d figure something out. He had to.

You could always enlist, Stan had said a time or two. It might be better than nothing. A home. Three meals a day. And training.

Brody was silent a few seconds. His stare searched over Noah’s. “Well… if all else fails, I guess you could stay here a few days, I suppose. Give you time to reach out to your family and figure out where you go next.”

Noah gulped. “Really?”

“Yeah. But there arenofree rides. We need another bar back downstairs, so I’d put you to work.” Brody’s focus fell on him. “I’d pay you, of course.”

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