43. Chapter 43
Chapter forty-three
Chuck
It took an hour once the tour finished for the crew to clear out. They left their equipment behind, which created a little cover for Robinson staying there. He would watch it.
Of course, it wasn’t enough cover. Chuck had stayed out of it as much as he could, but he hadn’t missed the sidelong glances and little digs from Evander and Mason, or the way Aras’s perpetual grimace actually turned to a sharp grin after Mason whispered something in his ear. Thankfully for Chuck, they all headed outside before the razzing got too intense.
He needed to do a check-in with the boys, anyway. Colby was easy. He seemed to have absolutely no intention of leaving his room until everyone showed up for the party. Nick reclined on his bed, the gauzy curtain pulled around him, but there was a little more awareness there. Or he just wasn’t as good at hiding it, but given that Colby was not exactly known for staying quiet about stuff, that seemed less likely. Still, Nick didn’t say anything, just acknowledged that he’d stay in his room until he “got the all-clear.”
Chuck rapped on Ryan’s door last. All the doors had been replaced as well, so they were made of slats of dark, polished wood with brass fittings. It gave the hallway a nice, uniform look, and the backsides had been painted different colors, so they matched the interior a little more. Except for Ryan’s. The door already matched his aesthetic, so when it swung open, there was no other color or design to be seen. He had changed into sweats and a ratty T-shirt at some point, and he smiled tightly at Chuck. “Is it time to bring the hammer down already?”
“No hammer. You’re grounded off your devices for a month. That’s the extent of it for now.” Chuck stepped inside and sat on the edge of his bed while Ryan took the desk chair. “I’d be one hell of a hypocrite if I went apoplectic about you drinking. That’s not me condoning it, but I get it. I went through my own crap when I was younger.”
Ryan nodded, and it seemed like some massive weight had finally dropped from him. He leaned back in the chair and sighed. “Thanks for being cool.”
“Well, not that cool. I did call Mary and LJ’s parents. Let them know their kids were getting drunk too.”
Ryan cringed, but eventually nodded again. “I guess that makes sense.”
Chuck leaned forward so he could have the other part of the awkward conversation. “So I wanted to let you know…Robinson and I are going to be talking for a little bit tonight, before the party. And during the party. I invited him. But before. So I’m just asking for a little privacy right now.” Part of Chuck was tempted to let him use his phone or play video games or something, just to keep him occupied, but that wasn’t the right tack and he knew it.
Ryan, for his part, seemed to understand anyway, his cheeks getting red. “You’re going to be talking in private.”
“Yes. Talking.” I’m not going to openly tell my son I’m trying to hook up with the plumber. Again. “We decided to try one more time. Being apart was worse than…not important. We’re trying again. If you have any reservations about that, I’m all ears.” The other two hadn’t, and he didn’t expect Ryan to, but he had to put that out there all the same.
Ryan looked up at the ceiling. When he spoke, it was almost too quiet to hear. “Do you love him?”
Chuck blew out a harsh breath, forcing it because he would have stopped breathing if he didn’t put real intent behind it. “I…I like him. Right now, that’s where we’re at. I was with Dad-Drew for a long time. I don’t know what’s going to end up happening, but I know that Robinson and I both want to find out.”
Ryan nodded. “Good.” He turned his gaze back down, grinning. “If you said you loved him, I would have been a little freaked out. He’s a good guy, but you barely know him, mister.”
Chuck rolled his eyes. “You little shit.” He heard the front door open, so Chuck popped to his feet, rustled Ryan’s hair, and headed out.
Almost. He almost headed out, but Ryan grabbed him by the wrist. When Chuck turned, Ryan wrapped him into a hug and squeezed tight. “I’m glad you’re happy.”
Chuck returned the squeeze. “I’m glad you’re my kid. Feels like we did things right with at least one of you.”
“Oh cool.” He pulled back. “So I can tell Nick and Colby I’m you’re favorite.”
“If you want another week without video games, absolutely.” He kissed Ryan on top of the head, then went out of the room for real, across the hall, and down the stairs.
Robinson was standing next to the front door, and he smiled when he saw Chuck. “Hey. You made it through the gauntlet.”
“I did. You survived telling everyone?”
“I survived having everyone told.” Robinson shook his head and closed the distance. “Bunch of gossips. Don’t know why I hang out with them.” He took Chuck’s hand. “Also, one more escape hatch for you: if you were just saying all that to smooth things over—”
“I want to screw around. And I want to talk. And I want to get closer to you.”
Robinson seemed to be at a loss for words, so Chuck took his hand and led him upstairs. No resistance to that. He checked that all the boys had their doors closed, then led Robinson into the master bedroom and closed the door behind them.