Chapter Twelve #2
If there wasn’t a hole in the floor yet, there would be in about two more turns of pacing.
He had checked Kash’s location a million times, so he knew Kash was almost home.
Valon’s location had stopped showing almost four hours earlier.
Either Valon broke the last connection he had by stopping his sharing on the family app or he had turned off his phone.
Either way, there was no way that was a good sign.
Kash should have let Ledger handle this.
Valon was his son. He needed to be the one trying to save them.
By the time Kash came through the door, Ledger was ready to fight him. He opened his mouth to blast Kash. Ledger gave no shits Marc was there. But then Valon dragged a suitcase through the door right behind Kash and Ledger’s brain froze.
“You’re here.”
Valon looked up from the chore of getting his suitcase’s wheels unstuck from the small lip right inside the doorway.
“Hey. Yeah. I’ve come to visit for a little while, if that’s okay?
” His expression turned unsure, as if he should have called before he came.
“I have someone coming with my car tomorrow, so you don’t have to taxi me around or anything like that. ”
Ledger crossed the room and hugged Valon. He couldn’t believe how much Valon honestly believed he was a burden to Ledger. The truth dripped from every sad note. “You never have to ask permission. As long as I live, any place I live is your home too. I’m your dad.”
To his surprise, Valon hugged him back as if he needed Ledger’s love. “Thanks.”
Ledger fought a wave of unexpected tears. He couldn’t let them fall. “You never have to thank me either.”
“Sure I do. I was raised to say please and thank you.”
With a chuckle, Ledger helped Valon get his suitcase inside.
He chanced a glance Kash’s way. Kash was busy talking to Marc about them getting together tomorrow about some job opportunity.
Meanwhile, Ledger desperately wanted to know how Kash had done this.
Then again, maybe Valon still didn’t know about them.
There was a slim possibility Valon hadn’t heard, especially if Valon ignored Ry’s calls the same way he did Ledger’s.
“Let me just stick this thing in my room, and I’ll be back.”
There was a room he considered his. Ledger’s heart melted. He nodded and watched Valon head down the hall. The moment he was out of view and earshot, Ledger looked Kash’s way and stage whispered, “How did you do this?”
Kash winked. “I told him to grab his shit and get in the car.”
Ledger shook his head.
Valon reappeared before Ledger could get any more information. “What’s for dinner? I feel like I haven’t eaten in ages.”
Ledger headed straight for the fridge. “Well, let’s figure it out.”
As they hovered together inside the open refrigerator, Valon slipped beneath his arm and held his waist the way he used to do when he was little.
Ledger’s eyes stung. It was as if a switch flipped inside him.
Their biggest problem wasn’t Valon’s behavior as much as it was Ledger’s inability to let go.
There hadn’t been a smooth transition from child to adult.
It felt like Valon had been ripped from him in one fast move.
Ledger pressed his lips to Valon’s temple. “Have I told you lately how proud I am that you’re my son?”
“I’m sure you have, but I always love hearing it.”
Ledger chuckled. “Tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll make it happen.”
Valon looked like the kid he remembered when he smiled. “Oooh. Do you know that spicy hamburger soup thing you used to make?”
“Yep.”
“Let’s do that.”
Ledger backed away. “I’m on it. Likely, I’ll have to get a rush grocery delivery, but it still won’t take long.” As he pulled his phone from his back pocket to do exactly what he claimed, a text appeared.
Kash: He knows everything and is completely fine with it. But I think he’s going through something else, and he needs his dad.
Before Ledger could react, another text rolled in.
Kash: By the way, I’ll let you pass on totally ignoring me when I came through the door since Valon is here. LOL!
Ledger fought a bright smile as he opened his grocery app.
He swore Kash was the biggest miracle worker alive.
It was like he had a master’s degree in decoding people.
Honestly, he probably just knew Valon better than anyone else alive.
Still, he had brought Valon home. Ledger couldn’t love him more.
He placed a rush order. When he looked up, his gaze met Kash’s stare, and his soul sang.
“I love you.” Kash mouthed the words.
Ledger realized he wore a huge grin. He couldn’t believe how happy this one person made him.
Valon made a glass of iced tea before sitting at the island. “It’s like you were expecting me. You already had my favorite drink waiting.” He took a sip and then spoke over the rim of his glass. “So when are you two getting married, and do I have to call Kash ‘Daddy’ now?”
A huge guffaw exploded from Kash while Ledger stared at Valon, stunned.
Valon laughed. “You should see your face. That’s it. I’m walking into the room every time I see you guys now, saying, Ooh, Daddy. You’ll never live this down.”
Kash still laughed so hard, he was swiping his eyes.
Ledger had no clue how to react. “I’m not frail yet. I can still kick your ass.”
Kash somehow laughed even harder. His body shook, but no sound emerged.
Ledger crossed the room and twisted his nipple.
Kash jumped away, rubbing his assaulted chest. “Already abusing me. We aren’t even married yet.”
So much happiness swam in Kash’s eyes that—suddenly—Ledger had never wanted anything more in his life than a lifetime of this. The three of them together, teasing and laughing. This was what a home should look like, and it was because of Kash.
Ledger had to have as much of this as he could get for the rest of his life. “As far as marriage proposals go, that was a pretty piss-poor attempt, but I still accept.”
They laughed together.
It was Ledger’s turn to swipe his eyes. Yeah. He wanted this forever. Love lived here.
After an awesome meal, they grabbed a bottle of wine and moved to the couch. Valon looked wired but also exhausted, like he hadn’t slept in forever, but he still couldn’t. Kash picked the recliner so Valon could sit next to his dad.
Valon sat forward with his elbows on his knees, as if he couldn’t relax. He pulled a cigarette from the front pocket of his t-shirt. In one glance, Kash knew there was no tobacco inside. He had run that brand for Noir before.
“No smoking in the house.”
At Ledger’s reminder, Valon put it above his ear—like stashing a pencil.
He grabbed the notebook Kash had left behind.
It sat open where he left off last. “Wow. You’re still doing this?
” He flipped through the pages. “While you were pushing me to the top, I should’ve been dragging you with me.
I know a few people who would love these. You could do this for a living.”
Ledger didn’t hesitate to jump on the bandwagon. “That would be amazing. He’s talented as hell.”
Kash didn’t know what to say. On one hand, his drawings were private. On the other hand, he was always flattered when anyone thought he could be a professional.
Before he thought of a proper response, Valon stood. “I think I’ll head to bed.”
Ledger immediately popped to his feet and hugged him. “Goodnight. Try to actually sleep, okay?”
Valon nodded. “I will.” He waved in Kash’s direction. “Night, Kash.”
Kash dipped his chin and mumbled his goodnights. The moment they were alone, Kash stood and took Ledger’s hand. “Let’s go, sexy. It’s bedtime for you too.”
Ledger stayed quiet, but he let Kash lead him to the bedroom. Kash had expected Ledger to be bursting with questions. Instead, he seemed locked in his head. Kash gently shut them inside their room.
Even though it ended up being a fun night, it was also the longest of Kash’s life. The moment they were closed off from the world, Kash nearly sighed in relief. He just needed Ledger in his arms.
“You should take off your clothes.”
Kash turned at the demand.
Ledger was already nude from the waist up. Kash leaned against the door and looked him up and down, savoring the show. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
Ledger’s eyebrows rose at Kash’s question. “No. I’m demanding you to fuck me.”
Jesus. He was sexy and a temptation straight from the heavens.
“I like this side of you.” He straightened away from the door and took off his shirt.
Kash tossed it aside. “But I need a shower.” Leaving Ledger where he stood, Kash moved to the bedside nightstand and grabbed the lube.
He headed for the bathroom without looking back.
When he finished undressing, he realized Ledger didn’t intend to follow. Kash rolled his eyes.
He stuck his head out the door. Ledger was undressing as if he honestly believed Kash had just turned him down. “Get your ass in here, Ledge. You’re moving awfully slow for someone with demands.”
Quietly, Ledger moved his way. The way he held Kash’s stare every step of the way had Kash breathing harder.
His earlier tone should have let him know Ledger wasn’t in the mood to play.
He didn’t want to be cheered up after their stressful day.
Ledger wanted to get dicked down. Kash could do that too.
The moment Ledger crossed the threshold into the bathroom, Kash took Ledger’s hand and kissed the back of it.
He didn’t let go as he closed the door and led Ledger to the shower.
Kash joked a lot to keep everyone happy, but underneath all of that, Kash preferred quiet and peace.
Nothing peaceful was about to happen, especially since shower sex was always over the top with them, but he preferred the seriousness of the moment.
“Get the water going at whatever temperature you like. I’m good with anything.”
Ledger silently did as told.