27. Chapter 27
Chapter twenty-seven
Robinson
Finally, after all this time, Robinson’s workload was calming considerably. There was some stuff that needed his attention, but nothing major or intensive. The plumbing was all arranged, and with the installation of the vanities in the master bathroom, there were no more pipes to lay into the walls or the floor or the ground, no more fixtures to be added except for the kitchen sink, and if Danni ended up putting that in, it wouldn’t hurt his feelings.
As a result, his role was very much…supervisory. Or, if not supervisory, it involved a hell of a lot of standing around with his thumb up his ass. He even had a chance to stop by craft services and get himself an apple. He usually didn’t manage to actually get much food during the work day.
The boys had come home about an hour ago. Robinson remembered high school…sort of. It wasn’t like his substance abuse issues popped up as a fully formed meth addiction. He’d smoked a lot of pot and drank just as much, but he was pretty certain that there’d been a lot of homework on the weekends. So either things had changed a lot—very possible—or Ryan was shirking off his homework to come talk to Robinson.
It was a little weird how attached he’d gotten, but hardly the strangest thing that had ever happened in Robinson’s life. Probably way weirder that I’m hooking up with our widower client tonight . It definitely seemed like Ryan wasn’t solely after a way to make a good living at this point.
Robinson gestured to the table behind him. “If you want to grab a snack or something, I won’t narc.”
“Oh. No.” He wasn’t coming any closer, and he also wasn’t making eye contact. Which clued Robinson in on what this was about a little bit before Ryan broached the subject officially. “You and my dad. You’re not leading him on, right?”
Or maybe I didn’t read that right. Robinson had to take a moment to collect himself and try to get this conversation squared away in his head. “I’m not trying to. I’m not sure—”
“Don’t say it’s not my business. It is.” Ryan finally made eye contact. There wasn’t anger there, just…worry. Fear. Maybe sadness? Whatever combination of emotions he was portraying, they pulled at Robinson’s middle, made him want to comfort the kid. “I was there when Dad-Drew died. He wasn’t okay at all.” His voice quivered, even as he stepped up, closing the gap that little bit more. “And I think he really likes you. He’s never even tried to go out with anyone else, and now he’s…sleeping with you.”
What the actual fuck? Maybe it was time for Robinson to put some actual boundaries in place. “Okay, Ryan, that part’s not your business.”
“But Dad is.” He shook his head, face reddening. “I don’t think you’re a bad person or anything. That’s why I’m just asking you to be careful with all this. Please.” He blinked and his eyes misted. “I’m sorry. But he’s my dad. It sucked seeing him so hurt, and he doesn’t need to go through that again. None of us do.”
It was definitely not appropriate for Ryan to approach Robinson about his sex life, but Robinson couldn’t muster any real indignation over that. Not when there was clearly so much hurt in him. “We’re both adults and we both know that I’m leaving sooner rather than later.” The admission felt like sand on his tongue, but Robinson pushed ahead, not ready to confront why that might have been so icky to admit out loud. “If we decide it’s worth it, then I guarantee, your dad is going to consider you boys first, and he’s not going to do anything that’ll hurt you.”
Ryan nodded. “I’m sorry.” All the energy deflated out of him and he finally went to the craft services table and grabbed a little bottle of apple juice from the cooler. He drank down half of it in one go, as if he was needing to replenish himself. “I wasn’t trying to be offensive or anything.”
“Hey, having hard conversations is part of being an adult. Next thing you know, you’re going to have to pay taxes and worry about your credit score.” Robinson patted him on the shoulder. “But about that whole sleeping together thing you brought up.”
The redness returned to Ryan’s cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I mean, it’s not fine in general. Don’t approach people and ask them about their sex lives. But I’m not bothered. Just want to know how you decided that’s what was happening.” Maybe they were a really close family and Chuck felt the need to bring it up to them…which was the sort of thing Robinson would prefer to be consulted on.
“He told us a few days ago that he was going on another date with you, and he’d probably be back after we were all supposed to be in bed.” Ryan shrugged, staring at his toes. “I figured…”
“As far as I know, there are no plans.” A white lie, and at least Chuck hadn’t just blabbed about that to his kids. “And again, that part definitely isn’t your business, okay? Just for future reference. But I’m not trying to do anything to hurt him, all right?”
Ryan nodded one more time. “Thanks. For not freaking out. And for letting me help with the work and everything.” He looked back up at Robinson, and a small smile pulled at his lips. “And for making my dad happy for a change.”
That stuck in like a fish hook, barbed and twisted and not about to let go any time soon. “No problem, kid.” Robinson didn’t want to sound too parental, since Ryan was clearly worried about the intensity of connection of this relationship, but he also didn’t want to be responsible for Ryan flunking or something. “Now that you’ve got this out of your system, should you go focus on homework or something? If not, I’m sure someone here could find a use for some extra hands.”
Ryan nodded. “Biology worksheets.”
“Well, just remember that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell and you know as much as I do.” Ryan didn’t respond to his objectively funny joke, but Robinson could let that slide. He’s going through some stuff .
Mason strolled over as Ryan was heading back inside, all smiles until he got in close. Then his mouth tightened up. “Everything okay? Didn’t hear anything, but seemed like it was intense.”
How much do I want to get into this? If it was Ozzy or Ev or even Bunny, he might clam up and keep this close to the vest. But Mason was a different story. Plus, even aside from Mason being understanding and sweet and having a good temperament and all that, if he was going to effectively manage the project, he probably needed to know if someone was boinking their client. “How good of a secret have I kept it that Chuck and I went on a date?”
Mason’s shrugged. “Umm…I would say pretty good.”
“Okay. Well, we’re getting together again tonight. Ryan was telling me what for, making sure I wasn’t going to hurt his dad or anything like that.”
Mason’s expression smoothly—and quickly—transitioned from shock to amusement. Because the man seemingly took everything in stride. “So you just got the ‘what are your intentions with my son’ talk from a teenager?”
“Basically.”
“And what are your intentions?” Mason cocked his head to the side. “As much as I might need to know, at least. More if you want to share.”
Robinson sighed. “He’s a good guy. Great dad. Fit. Handsome. Maybe I like that he seems to need support, and I seem to able to provide that. Not saying that’s a good thing, but…yeah. And as far as I’m aware, neither of us are thinking this is anything permanent.”
“Well, I don’t want to get your hopes up but…never say never.” Mason gestured around, arms spread like he was a twirling girl in a musical. “You might have noticed, people keep pairing off all around us.”
Robinson really didn’t want to focus on that. “Yeah, I’ve noticed. I think it must be some weird radiation from all these microphones and cameras. Screwing with people’s brains.” He liked the way he felt around Chuck. He liked having someone who liked him and complimented him, and who was just so positive, even in the face of so much bullshit. Sure, he was on edge, he had some hang-ups—a lot of hang-ups—but Robinson could see himself starting something…more. If given the chance, he could see himself hanging around Chapel Hill, exploring little shops with Chuck on the weekend, spending Christmas surrounded by…
Robinson clenched his fingers down hard, driving his nails into his palm. Sometimes, it was the only way to stop a bad mental spiral. “I’m going to say never until something proves me wrong.” It was safer that way, for everyone involved. Plus, Robinson didn’t want thoughts like that weighing him down. He had other plans tonight.