Page 91 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

Before Walt could exit, Lex turned to Brody. “Man, let me see those dick sucking moves that Walt’s got.”

Brody chuckled. He could almost sense Walt’s shame before the door closed. Relief filled every cell of his body. Noah was free…

Free to move on to… wherever… whatever…whoever.

Brody’s smile slowly ebbed. The win wasn’t quite as sweet anymore.

Two regulars entered the bathroom, pausing at the door as they saw he and Lex inside. “Man, let’s get out of here.” He turned to the customers. “It’s all yours, fellas.”

“You fucking Lex now?” one of them asked.

Lex laughed before yelling out. “I can’t handle that big of a dick!”

Brody headed straight for the storage area, his body thrumming from adrenaline. Needing the quiet and space to think, he paced a long width before turning. Lex hung inside the door.

“You okay, man?”

“A bit wired,” Brody answered.

“I guess this means the little bird is definitely out of the nest now.”

Brody paused midstride, but kept walking. “He’s been gone.”

“But you didn’t want him to go.”

He stopped midway down the length and peered at Lex. “I’m going to hell for wanting him.”

Lex shook his head. “Seriously, he was never really your stepson. You only married Stacey to help her get Parker… and that knee fixed. Noah was there, what—two, three months? You were both consenting adults when it started—and neither of you had any idea who you were to one another.”

“You’re singing a new tune. Why?”

“I’ve worried about you. The inability to open yourself up to someone new. Finally, someone landed in your lap and you weredifferent. I mean, it happened really fast. Maybe too fast. I don’t know—maybe it was kismet. I saw the way you looked at him. I saw the way he looked at you. Beforeand afterthe bombshell. And now, I see how twisted into knots you are because you’re trying to do what you believe is the right thing. But whatisthe right thing here? Two consenting adults who areobviouslyattracted to one another kept apart because they lived under the same roof for a couple of months—many years ago? The more I consider it—it seems kind of pointless to me, man. If you two want to be together, who is anyone else to judge?”

“Yeah, but Stacey… Geena… they don’t approve.And Parker.”He shook his head. “I grasp that the plan wasn’t for me to be a dad. From day one, he’s been their kid. But they let me in. I love my son. I want to see him grow into a man. I want to be a small part of his journey.”

“Then you have your answer. You let Noah go.”

“That’s what I did,” Brody said. “I let him pack his bags and walk out of my life. For my son.”

“And now you’re miserable.” Lex cringed. “Stacey and Geena—I love those ladies. I do. They’re good people. And I realize you don’t want to hurt them. Maybe in time, they might see what I saw. Two guys that have a connection.” He paused. “Just be patient.”

“I’m not feeling too patient right now.”

“Then go get your boy.”

“Jesus, Lex. Can you pick a side?”

“Can you? Either you give your relationship with Noah a chance, or you don’t. If you choose Noah, Parker will be eighteen one day. If he has questions, he’ll come to you.”

“So I simply lose five years of his life?”

“Or you lose a chance at a lifetime of happiness with Noah. That’s for you to decide, Brody. No one can make that choice but you and Noah. Either way—I’ll support you.”

“Who said anything about a lifetime of happiness?” Brody asked. “We could crash and burn in a week for all I know. I’d destroy the good things in my life, for what?”

“Could be,” Lex said. “But I said you’d losethe chanceat a lifetime of happiness… you have no idea where it might lead. It could be three weeks… three months… three years… or maybe threedecades…”

Thoughts of their friends Harry and Red returned to mind. “When did you go and get all sappy on me?”

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