softly, kissing the tip of my nose, then closed the door. I tried to touch the spot on my nose but completely missed my face.
Fuck, I’m wasted. Then I blacked out.
Chapter 28
Auggie
Six hours after another failed interview, I was still seething with anger when I wound up on Declan’s doorstep. I wasn’t in the mood for interacting with anyone, but I was getting sick of staring at the colors of the paint on the walls back home.
I tried keeping myself busy by doing the little odd jobs around the house, but with job prospects dwindling before me, I’d had to cut back on how much money I spent. Coupled with my doubts about going back to Heath’s dungeon, my frustration was at an all-time high. Tripled by thoughts of a jealous and drunk Charles a week ago, I was barely functioning.
Earlier, when Dad had called me asking me to come over for dinner and cocktails, my first reaction was to turn him down. If they caught on that I was down in the dumps, Dad would want to know why. Then he would be worried, and Declan would be up my ass trying to make Dad feel better.
I didn’t want Declan up my ass. I much preferred being inside his father’s. But that wasn’t likely to happen again either. I’d had hopes he would get in touch after he’d openly confessed he’d been jealous of Jackie, but like the first time and second time when we had sex, he’d gone back to avoiding me.
I wasn’t used to waiting for someone to come after me. I approached subs if they seemed right up my alley, but I didn’t have that luxury with Charles. His wife had been suspicious enough the three times we’d run into each other.
When I’d brought him home from the bar, having to lug him upstairs to his bedroom, she’d followed us silently, observant as if she thought I’d fuck him right there in front of her for her to confirm we were having an affair.
“Auggie, thank god you’re here!”
Dad pulled me inside the house and shut the door, then gave me one of his warm hugs. A tiny part of me felt better at his familiar arms. I would’ve smiled had I not caught the worried expression on his face.
“Is something wrong?”
My stomach flipped with concern. I tried not to make my mind go there, but if Declan ever hurt him…
“I just need you to run a bit of interference for me.”
“What’s this about?” I frowned, just now noticing the laughter and chatter coming from the living room. “You only told me to dress nicely and come over for dinner.”
“Declan has guests,” he said softly.
His husband entered the hall just then and headed for us, dressed almost identical to Dad, in dark slacks and a vest. I was struck with how strikingly similar he was to his father.
“We have guests, Owen, not me.”
He casually placed his left hand around my father’s waist and kissed his cheek, then extended his hand toward me.
“August, so glad you could make it.”
“Why do I have a bad feeling about why I’m here?”
“Your father insisted he needs your moral support.” Declan shook his head at me. “He doesn’t, but once he has his mind set on something, he won’t let go.” He kissed Dad again, then backed away. “I’ll let you two catch up and for Owen to explain why he asked you to come. Ridiculous reason if you ask me.”
I stared after Declan’s frame and turned to Dad. “So?”
“We’re having dinner and cocktails with a few business associates of Declan’s.”
“So why am I here? I thought I was coming to a regular dinner, although I should’ve known something was up the minute you told me to wear something nice.”
“Because I feel out of my element here, Auggie.” Dad scrubbed at the frown lines that created grooves between his eyes. “What if I say or do something to mess this up?”
“Like what? Dad, you’ve chauffeured around dignitaries before doing your old job.”
“Exactly. Chauffeured. No one expected me to contribute anything to the conversation. This time it’s different. I’m Declan’s husband, and anything I say will reflect badly on him.”
I placed a hand around his shoulders and squeezed him tightly. “Dad, relax. Declan doesn’t give a damn if you understand anything that goes on with his business. If he did, then he wouldn’t have married you.”