him.
“Shut up, jerk.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lukas grimaced at his phone but answered anyway. This was the third call from his dad in two days—if he put it off any longer, then he was likely to show up at his house. And considering the chances of his dad finding John there were better than fair, it was probably best to just get the conversation over with.
“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” He turned onto the street just before John’s house and slowed down. The kids who lived at the second house from the corner were terrible about darting into the road after stray balls and animals and had nearly given him a heart attack the first time he’d had to slam on his brakes.
It had been a few days since the confrontation with Hank, and while Lukas didn’t necessarily feel guilty about how things had ended with Hank, he had been thinking about the sadness he’d seen in Hank’s eyes a lot. He hadn’t been lying when he told John he didn’t regret breaking up with Hank, but maybe he could have been gentler about it?
“—of you for a couple days.”
“Hm? Oh, yeah, sorry, Dad. Work’s been crazy, and I’ve just been really tired.” He winced at the partial lie. They hadn’t really been crazier than normal at work, but he had been more tired since his body wasn’t used to getting used so hard and often. He shivered as he turned onto John’s street. He’d never known how good things could be between two people when they really clicked.
And they clicked. Often. And in fun places.
His dad kind of grunted but then didn’t say anything for a moment. Lukas pulled up to John’s house but stayed in his car, not willing to risk his dad overhearing John greeting him or something. In the back seat, Ruby cried a little, recognizing where they were and wanting out.
His dad cleared his throat, then said awkwardly, “I, uh, I’ve been thinking about things lately, and I wanted to let you know…”
Oh god, here it comes. Every few months, his dad tried to talk him into quitting his job and taking “his place” in his dad’s company, like he was some heir to the throne. It usually ended with them yelling at each other and not speaking for days until his mom got involved and made them apologize.
“Uh, to let you know that I understand you won’t be joining me at Brown and Son. That you’re happy where you are and I’m—” He cleared his throat again, and Lukas grinned at his phone in astonishment, happy as hell. He wasn’t sure what had changed, but his dad was actually going to let it go and let him live his life? “—I’m glad you’re doing something you love. Even if it isn’t working with your old man.”
Smiling so widely it hurt, Lukas leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Thank you,” he said hoarsely. “You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that.”
His dad coughed, like the emotions of the call were strangling him. “Well, you’re my son. I just want you to be happy.”
Lukas opened his eyes and turned toward the front door of John’s house, knowing John was inside waiting for him with a kiss and a smile. That he’d ask Lukas how his day was and listen when he answered. That he’d play with Ruby while Lukas made dinner and then be happy to just curl up on the couch and watch TV until they went up to bed, where they would worship each other’s bodies.
“I’m extremely happy, Dad.”
“Good.” There was a pause, and then his dad said softly, “Love you, kid.”
“I love you too, Dad. Tell Mom I said hi.”
They hung up, and Lukas wasted no time grabbing the package and overnight bag on the seat next to him and hopping out of his car. Ruby darted straight for the door as soon as Lukas released her, and he laughed at her excitement, feeling almost light-headed with relief and happiness.
Pushing open the door, he called out, “Hey! You’ll never guess what my dad just told me!”
John appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, beer in hand and eyebrows raised. He strode forward, lightly kissed Lukas, patted Ruby on the head, and headed for the living room. “What did he say?”
Leaving his shoes and bag in the entryway, he followed John and crawled up onto the couch after him until they were settled with John in the corner of