Page 59 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

Geena came back down off the ladder as the front door received a knock. All of them gasped, but when it turned out to only be Lex, the vibe deflated.

“Hey all,” Lex said, walking in. He glanced around before asking, “Who’s going to tell me what the hell is going on?”

“Noah’s coming home,” Stacey said with a wide grin. She helped take the bags from Lex’s hands and disappeared into the kitchen.

Lex seemed confused.

“Her eldest son,” Brody added.

Lex’s confusion evaporated. “Oh right. How long’s it been?”

“Fourteen years since he’s been home,” Stacey answered as she reappeared. “He just turned eighteen and he’s free from his father’s hold now. Hence the birthday party in his honor. About two hours ago, we found out he was on his way, so we had to throw something together fast.”

Brody turned to Lex. “He ran away. Walt and his wife are hanging out front in the SUV. There could be conflict.”

“So you called on old Lex,” Lex said. “Here I was, assuming I was invited to a party.”

“Of course you’re invited to a party, you big, beautiful man,” Geena said, giving him a bear hug. “But if we need a little fear of god put in to Walt and his wife, hopefully you’ll do the terrifying, too?”

“I can do that,” Lex replied. “As long as I get cake.”

Stacey came over to give him a hug, too. “We have steaks and potatoes, if you want to eat an early dinner with us.” She padded his arm. “Hopefully it’s enough. I realize you have an appetite.”

“I’m a big boy and Idolike to eat,” Lex said. “But please tell me you or Brody’s doing the cooking.”

“Hey, I resent that remark,” Geena spat, trying to mask a smile and failing. “It wasonebad dinner party, and you won’t let me live it down. I don’t always burn things.”

“Uh-huh ,”Lex added with a grin.

Brody checked his watch. “On that note, I’m going to toss the potatoes in the oven. Why don’t you guys catch up a little—and you can give Lex details on Walt and his wife.”

He headed for the kitchen and got to work. Stacey came in a moment after he’d tossed them in the oven, her anxiety coming off her in waves.

“You keep up this pace and you’ll need a Xanax before the end of the night.”

Stacey spun to face him. “You have no idea what I’d do right now for a joint. I’m stressing outsobad.”

He took her by the shoulders. “Breathe.” He paused to get her to do just that. “In. Out.”

Stacey followed his directions and then inhaled again on her own. “Brody—the last time I saw him—I could see Walt and Abbie Lee had changed him. He wassounhappy… what if they’ve destroyed my beautiful little boy?”

“He ran away. If he had the smarts to do that, then there’s hope.”

“Maybe,” Stacey murmured, appearing worried.

He lifted her chin with this hand. “He came here because he remembers how much you loved him here. Don’t forget that.”

Stacey sighed. “I hope you’re right.”

A knock sounded on the glass sliding door in the kitchen. Brody turned, wondering who was knocking back there. He could see an outline through the sheers, but not who it was. Stacey walked over and peeled back the sheers a little. “He’s here!” she cried over one shoulder.

Brody moved closer to the island to get a better look. A smile played over his lips… this was the moment Stacey and Geena had been waiting on for years.

Stacey slid the door open, but her head was in the way from him getting a good view of whoever stood on the other side.

“Mom?”

The voice…familiar.

---