Page 66 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

“A night off? When’s the last time you had one of those?”

“Too long ago,” Brody replied honestly. He cast a glance at Noah. “I’ve got some babysitting to do.”

Noah glared at him.

“Oh, you’ve got your son tonight? Tell the little guy hi from me.”

Brody’s teeth clenched. “Will do.”

“And don’t worry, Brody. I’ve got things covered.”

“I know you do,” he answered before clicking off. He sent another quick text to Lex, making sure his head of security was aware. Once done, he tossed his cell to the large kitchen island before heading to the fridge. He opened it and glanced at the beers inside before changing his mind. After closing the door, he turned and went to his liquor cabinet and poured himselfthreefingers of scotch. One or two wouldn’t do the job.

Once downed, he poured another round.

Noah eyed him. “Is that a good idea?”

Brody swallowed the second pour. “Probably not.” He poured a third glass and downed that, too. If he couldn’t get physical distance, he’d take a little mental distance instead. He needed to forget what they’d done.

Forget the want that still lingered when it shouldn’t.

10

Noah watched as Brody downed the third glassful of liquor, and then the fourth and later the fifth. Dread filled him. Somewhere along the way, Brody had turned on the TV before going back to the window to watch for danger, he assumed. A random movie was on, midway through. Noah sat on one corner of the couch and half-heartedly watched it, trying to ignore the growing anxiety in his belly. Another movie started afterwards, not that he paid it much attention. He sat there, nonetheless, simply to pass the time and not be swallowed in the awkward silence.

There was a slight pause in drinking when Brody called down for dinner, ordering a few dishes sent up. Noah didn’t have much of an appetite, nor did Brody. He was focused more on his liquid diet.

After the eighth or ninth glass, he caught Brody staring at him.

“I haven’t let anyone into my life in a long,longtime.”

Noah had no idea how to reply to that—or if he even should.

“And in no time, you got me twisted into knots,” Brody said.“Knots.”He shook his head and laughed grimly. “You bewitched me. It was those little red lace panties of yours.”

“Manties,”Noah corrected quietly.

Brody scoffed. “Youknewwhat I meant.” He placed his empty tumbler on the glass coffee table with a loud clink that triggered a flinch from Noah. “You came into my life and decimated me in a matter of days.” He cringed. “I thought we could’ve maybe been something, you and I. But the lies… thefuckinglies… look what you’ve caused.”

Noah sank into himself. Fear of what came next rattled him. “I had no idea who you were. Youhaveto believe me. I’m sorry.”

Brody walked closer and dropped to his knees in front of Noah. He reached out and Noah flinched away.

“I wouldn’thurtyou, Noah. That’s not who I am.”

“My dad drinks like that,” Noah whispered. “And then he gets really angry. And violent.”

Brody winced. “You said something about your dad drinking. I forgot.” He shook his head, anger mounting. “He’s hit you?”

“No… he’s never hit me. Not exactly.” His father had terrorized him. Furious words, tossed beer bottles, and a couple of rage-filled pushes, but never any actual hitting. He hadn’t needed to hit Noah. The rest was worse, leaving him to fear the day a fist finally came his way. His stepmother had always sat there, smiling at the display of fury. She never stepped in to help.Never.Sometimes he thought she was only glad he was there to take the brunt of his father’s anger.

What he truly believed was that she was a monster, relishing his torture. How many times had she called him wicked? Evil? Abbie Lee thought he needed punishment, more now that she realized he was attracted to men.

“Fuck,”Brody slurred before rubbing Noah’s arms. “Baby, I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t hurt you like that. I’m angry… of the situation we’re in. I know… I know you didn’t remember who I was. I simply wish you hadn’t lied to me. Had I gotten your real name, I probably would’ve figured it out. I could’ve stopped things before they crossed the line…”

Baby?That was the liquor talking. He tried not to let that word twist him into bigger knots than he was already in. “I used my fake ID so I was scared to tell you my real name. Afraid I’d be kicked out and have to face those guys outside. If you hadn’t ended up being the bar owner, I probably would’ve told you sooner.”

“When? Beforeor afterwe fucked the first time?”

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