Page 15 of Enslaved

Court looked exasperated. “Aren’t you tired?”

Heath twirled Court on the way to the car like they were dancing. “Nope.” He wrapped his arms around Court and dipped before stealing a bunch of quick kisses. “I’ve got you. I’m on top of the world. Do you want to get something to eat?” He walked, still holding Court against his chest, so he was basically dragging him. Court was smiling. That was all that mattered to Heath.

“You probably are starving after that workout. What are you in the mood for?”

Heath waggled his eyebrows at Court.

Court punched him in the arm. “Idiot.”

His phone buzzed. He blew out a raspberry. “Hold that thought.” Heath freed one arm only long enough to check his phone. Hebarely skimmed the text before shoving the device back in his coat pocket and returning to annoying Court. “Oh no. Change of plans. We’ve been summoned to dinner with my parents.”

Court looked horrified. “We?”

“Yes, we.” He kissed the corner of Court’s mouth, being as lovingly gross and obnoxious as possible. “I don’t keep you a secret. Nom. Nom.” He chewed Court’s bottom lip. Then he set him aside as if he hadn’t been driving the guy crazy. He unlocked the car and opened the passenger side door, motioning Court inside. “Would you like a ride, little boy? I have candy.”

“Oh no. I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.” Court jumped in. “But candy? Yum.”

With a laugh, Heath closed the door and circled the car. He had been ridiculously happy since New Orleans and it never got old.

Court turned serious when Heath climbed behind the wheel. “Am I dressed okay? Should we go home and change first?”

Heath shook his head. “You’re adorable.” He stole a kiss. It turned heated without a plan. Heath simply felt too much. He forced himself to pull away. “You’re perfect. We’re just going to their house. Nothing formal.” Heath knew Court was comfortable in almost all situations, except where he expected to be judged harshly. In this case, Heath didn’t care what his parents thought, and it was time for them to recognize Court as a part of his life. Heath had been slowly moving him in. It was almost funny the way even Court didn’t notice. Heath wanted tolaugh. Court had walked past the bookshelf from his living room for three weeks without realizing it.

“Come on.” He kissed the tip of Court’s nose. “You’ve got this.”

“If you say so.” Court already sounded defeated, and they hadn’t gotten there yet.

Heath shook his head and backed from his parking spot. Truthfully, he didn’t know what to expect. They had avoided the major holidays with his family, since his parents had decided to do a European tour as a gift to each other, so Court had been spared this until now. Unfortunately, his parents were either extremely pretentious or totally oblivious to other people, or both. He wasn’t sure what he hoped would happen, but it was best to get it out of the way. Court would have to meet them, eventually.

It bothered him how tightly Court held his hand. Heath was determined this would go well for his sake. Court already had his own parents seemingly set against him. This likely looked daunting as hell. Thankfully, his mom was all smiles as they came through the door. She greeted Court warmly. Heath breathed a sigh of relief.

“You have a lovely home.”

Sharon smiled. “Thank you. I believe your mother used the same decorator.” His mom took Court’s arm and led him to the table. “You got here just in time. Dinner has just been served.”

Court wore his most charming smile. The one he used professionally. Heath hated it. That smile gnawed at his gut. As he sat, he glanced around the table and a sadness washed over him. He had added a new player to their absolutely fake family. Court squeezed his hand beneath the table. Heath’s shoulders eased. Court was still real. They were in this together. He ate and made conversation. It was the usual bland stuff about the weather, golf, and their friends. Court’s hand on his knee saved him. That and the wine. His parents drank with obvious purpose, loosening their usual stiff personalities.

By the time dessert rolled around, they had consumed way more alcohol than usual, and his mother had already excused herself to rest. His dad polished off the last of their fourth bottle.

“We still have dessert to finish. Why don’t you grab us another bottle, son? A red this time.”

Court flashed him a sweet smile.

Heath grabbed the empty bottle so he could trash it on the way to the wine cellar. As he passed his dad, he noticed he looked a little too friendly. Something about his expression gave Heath pause. The moment he was out of sight, Heath hesitated before choosing to stick close and listen.

“Okay. Now that we’re alone. How much to make you go away?”

Court’s nervous laughter filled the air. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You are embarrassing our family. I don’t care what you do to support yourself, but do it elsewhere. So, give me a number. What’ll it take to break your contract?”

Heath couldn’t move. His chest hurt.

“We don’t have a contract. I’m with Heath because I want to be.”

His dad scoffed. “We don’t have time for you to lie to me to negotiate a higher price. Just throw out a number so I can write you a check and you can be gone by the end of the night.”

Court’s voice hardened. “I can’t be bought. If you have a problem with our relationship, you need to address it with your son.”

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