Learning to Trust - M.A. Innes Page 0,48
Destin freezing in place.
He gave Ray the sweetest expression and smiled. “He’s like my brother, so I get to drive him crazy. I saw that on TV shows. It’s how things are supposed to work in the real world.”
We both knew he wasn’t that gullible, but Ray was starting to fall for it.
I cleared my throat, pulling both their attention to me. “Family or not, you don’t get to demand answers about every inch of my life. I have Morgan’s privacy to consider.”
Destin gave me an Oscar-worthy expression that made it seem like he was crushed that he’d hurt my feelings. It was almost good enough to believe. “Stop that or your Daddy is going to think I’m being unreasonably mean to you.”
His huff that time was genuine and filled with frustration as he flung one of the stupid throw pillows at me. “You are being mean to me. I’m trying to make sure you’re happy and you’re dodging my questions.”
Ray coughed, trying badly to hide a chuckle. “I thought you guys were going to be studying?”
That had been the plan.
“Someone”—I gave Destin a pointed look—“couldn’t study because he was being too nosy.”
He flopped over dramatically, almost falling off the ridiculously sized couch. “But you never tell me to mind my own business. That’s not how our friendship works.”
Ray walked over and sat down beside the drama queen, gathering Destin onto his lap. “But you know that he has to consider Morgan’s feelings. His boy needs to be able to trust him.”
Destin relaxed into Ray’s arms and nodded. “I guess so.”
“And from what I saw when I walked in, you might not have been asking nicely either.” Ray chuckled when Destin sighed again.
“Possibly.” He acted like it was a painful admission.
“Then maybe you should pick a different question or topic to ask him about. I’m sure there are other ways to make sure he’s happy.” Ray’s comments were helpful in keeping Destin alive, but I didn’t want Destin thinking rationally. That was harder to ignore.
“Are you happy with how things are going? You seemed stressed when you got over here.” Destin’s carefully asked question was probably just a lead-in to something crazy, but it was unfortunately a logical, perfectly acceptable question.
“Yes. I am very happy with how things are going. There are a few things I’m thinking about, yes, but nothing bad.” Leaning back against the couch, I stretched my legs out and forced my muscles to relax.
“What kind—” Ray cleared his throat, cutting Destin off, which had Destin pausing for a second before starting again. “Is there anything you want to talk about?”
He pouted and slouched into Ray before I could answer. “I wasn’t trying to drive you nuts.”
“Yes, you were.” I glared at him when he stuck his tongue out at me. “But that doesn’t mean you weren’t trying to help.”
His version of helping was just very hands on and terribly excitable.
Destin giggled. “But come on, you know you want to tell me about it.”
Rolling my eyes, I gave a half shrug and tried to look casual. Talking to Ray might not be a bad idea. I’d talked with Ace several times over the past week, but knowing someone in real life who could answer questions was important too.
“I expect you to keep this to yourself. If you blab to anyone else, even the pizza guy, I won’t tell you anything again.” I gave Destin a glare that made it clear I wasn’t joking.
“I promise. But just Avery, right? I mean, not just Avery? I mean—”
I cut off his rambling with a brisk nod. “Yes, that’s fine.”
If he was tripping over his words, he understood how serious I was. “Things have been going well. We talk and I think our communication is fine, but I don’t know the best way to tell when to take things to the next level in the Daddy-boy side of our relationship.”
Destin raised his hand like we were in kindergarten. Ray chuckled as I waved my hand. “What?”
“What kind of relationship do you have? I mean, I know you’re his Daddy, but are you guys anything else? Not sex. I’m not talking about that because, fuck knows, if anyone understands you can have a relationship that is serious and doesn’t involve sex, I get it, but what are you guys?”
My first thought had been to say that I was his Daddy, but that hadn’t been what Destin asked.
“We live together and cuddle and I take care of him when he’s little and wants