Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Braylen is okay. He’ll have a small scar right above his eye, but he seemed totally fine when I got home. Tatum took Kieran with them to the hospital, but Cason and Raegan stayed here.
As far as I can tell, they were okay. They didn’t burn the house down, so yay? But I still feel guilty for not being here when Braylen got hurt. The date with Phillip is on my mind as I surf through channels on the television.
Tatum went home shortly after I got home. He didn’t grill me about my date at all, and I’m assuming that’s a testament to how shaken up he was when Braylen got hurt. The kids are in their rooms, so I have nothing but free time to mentally go over my date with Phillip.
A goofy grin forms on my face, thinking about how good it felt to finally get to touch him. My body reacts, just thinking about it, but it was more than sex—even though we didn’t get that far. God, I wanted to. I was fully prepared to do whatever he wanted to, but my life is absolute chaos, and of course, our one night together didn’t end with orgasms.
I pick up my phone and stare at the screen. I sent Phillip update text messages, and it’s probably too late to call—but I find myself wanting to talk to him. To make him promise me again that we’ll see each other soon.
“What are you grinning at?” Shit. Okay, talk about a surprise. I nearly toss my phone when I hear Raegan’s irritated voice.
“I thought you were in bed.” I deflect and put my phone in my pocket. The day catches up with me as I scrub my hands over my face.
She sits down on the opposite side of the couch and eyes me suspiciously. “Can we go shopping tomorrow?”
That’s... unexpected. She never wants to willingly go anywhere with me. “For?”
Her frown is ever present as always, and she throws attitude my way. “Does it matter?”
“If you want me to take you shopping, it does.” Why is she being so difficult? Braylen and Kieran have been fairly easy, but it’s pretty clear the older two are never going to cut me any slack.
She huffs. “I’m going to a dance next Friday.”
“A dance?” This is the first I’m hearing about it—again, not surprising.
“Yeah. You know, high school gym. Teachers everywhere. Lame music.”
I really wouldn’t know. I never went to a dance in my life. “Wait, high school? You’re in middle school.”
Again, her eyes roll at me, and she huffs loudly. “Good job, Kellan. You got my grade right.” I guess that first day when I picked her up and actually thought she would be fairly decent—should have known better. “Middle school and high school are connected at that stupid school you enrolled us in.”
“But they said that middle school and high school were kept pretty separate.” At least that’s what the principal told me when I enrolled them.
“They do.” She frowns at me.
“Your face is going to get stuck like that.”
And her eyes may never go back to normal. She folds her arms, her face tense. “He’s in tenth grade, okay? Two years is no big deal.”
Yeah, I’m pretty sure it is. But Raegan is tough—I kind of feel bad for the kid already. No doubt she can take care of herself, but still... “So he’s Cason’s age?”
“Oh my God,” she screeches, and it hurts my ears. “What does it matter? I’m not asking you if I can go, I’m asking you if you’ll please take me to get a dress, so I don’t look like a total loser. I’m trying to fit in. Adjust. Isn’t that what you and the dorky social worker want?”
Okay, now I know my face has contorted into pure irritation when she mentions Phillip. He’s not dorky—he’s sexy. So sexy, it kind of amazes me he wants anything to do with me. Of course, I can’t say that. “I thought you liked Phillip.”
Her brows furrow with rapt annoyance. “I do. That’s not the point. Can you take me or not?”
“I um...”
She waits for my answer, not so patiently, and I try to go over the facts. She’s right, I do want her to make friends—but I’m not sure about boyfriends. She’s fourteen, and he’s probably sixteen. Two years shouldn’t be a big deal, but it feels like it. But like she said, there will be teachers there, and it’s a school event. Should be safe.
“Oh my God.” There’s that squeal again. “Would you even hesitate if it was Cason? No,” she answers for me, standing up and putting one hand on her hip. “The hypocrisy. I know it’s because I’m a girl, and honestly Kellan, that’s bullshit. I can handle myself.”
Okay, so she’s not wrong. Am I being sexist here? I probably wouldn’t have blinked if Cason said he had a date even at fourteen. Well, fuck me. “I know that.”
“Do you?” she fights back, and again—I’m kind of afraid for her date a little bit. “I’m not a weakling. He’s a nice guy, and I’m a smart, strong female.”
“Okay, I’ll take you to get a dress.” Honestly, I’d probably agree to anything right now. I just want her to stop yelling at me. Great parenting, I know—but I’m not actually a parent. I’m her exhausted older brother who just went out on his first date this very night, and it so didn’t end the way I wanted it to.
“Good. Thank you.” She turns on her heel and exits.
That probably could have gone better, but oh fucking well. It’ll be fine. Except I have no idea where you even get a dress.
I know who will.
I smile to myself and grab my phone again. I’m assuming Phillip is asleep, so I send a text instead of call.
Me: You have plans tomorrow? Apparently, I need to go dress shopping.
My mood brightens when a message comes through not even a minute later.
Phillip: Have a hot date?
Me: Raegan. I guess she wants to go to the homecoming dance next week.
Phillip: Oh, that’s a really big deal.
Me: I know. Well, I thought so. I don’t know if I fucked up, if I’m honest. She’s going with a kid two years older. But she pointed out that she’s supposed to be making friends.
He takes his time with his reply, and I can’t help but worry that I did mess this up. Right now, I’m assuming he’s friend —maybe even date —Phillip, but the truth is he’s always going to be first and foremost social worker Phillip.
Phillip: How about I send you the address of a place to get a dress and meet you guys there? I can talk to Raegan a little bit about this young man.
I smile to myself, getting a warm feeling in my chest. He keeps doing that to me. I might need to get checked out if this continues.
Me: You sound a little growly/protective there.
Phillip: I am when it comes to you and the kids.
I like the sound of that way too damn much.
Me: Careful... you being like this does things to me. Things I don’t think I’ll get a chance to do anything about tomorrow.
I can feel him smirking, even though I can’t see him.
Phillip: Who knows? Maybe we’ll find the time to do something...
I like the sound of that entirely too much. The lust that had started to bubble back up before my conversation with Raegan. My cock stirring in my pants.
I turn off the television and go into my bedroom, locking the door and turning on music because the walls are thin, and I have an idea how to get a little relief. My body is strung tight after being worked up and never getting a release.
Me: Are you in bed?
I settle in my own bed when a picture comes through. It’s Phillip, shirtless in his bed, with a small lamp on his side table being the only light on in the room. His smile is vibrant, and it sends a thrill through me.
Phillip: Are you?
I flip on my own lamp next to my bed and take a quick selfie to send to him.
Phillip: No fair. I’m totally naked, and you have way too many clothes on.
I groan at that image. I look at the picture of him again. He’s shirtless, with nicely defined pecs, a smooth stomach, and barely any chest hair. But I want to lick the slight trail of light hair from his belly button going down to the sheets he has pooled at his waist.
I quickly strip out of all my clothes and then slide under my own covers, careful not to get my hard cock in the picture—because I’m trying to play it smart. And sending nudes isn’t a great look for someone trying to get permanent custody of these kids.
Phillip: Damn. I can’t believe I had you so close to being in my bed tonight.
I groan and grab the lube I have stored in the table next to my bed.
Me: I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m sorry our night was ruined.
Phillip: Doesn’t have to be.
Me: Did you jerk off after I left?
Okay, so sending nudes—bad. Sexting—good. Apparently? I don’t know. I’m wound far too tightly, and I can’t take it anymore. I need to come, and the fastest way to do that is with Phillip.
Phillip: No .
Me: Liar.
He sends me a shocked GIF, and I chuckle, even as I squirt some lube into my hand and wrap it around my aching shaft.
Phillip: I didn’t. I wanted it to be with you.
Ngh. He can’t say things like that to me. It scrambles my brain.
Me: I’m here now.
A video call comes through, and I can’t answer it fast enough. As soon as I hit accept, I’m met with the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Phillip, lying totally naked on his bed, a hand wrapped around his glistening hard cock as he jerks himself off. All his muscles are pulled tight, and I just stare at him in absolute awe.
“Kellan...” He sounds breathless as his eyes meet mine through the screen. “This doesn’t work if you don’t do it too.”
I swallow hard, my mouth going totally dry at the sight. “I think you broke my brain.”
His sweet smile meets mine, and his hand stops moving. “You do this to me. I’ve never...” I like the pink forming on his cheeks. “I don’t do this ever. But...”
I start to stroke my own cock, making sure to kick off the sheets and aim the camera down to show him just what he does to me. “It’s a first for me too.”
He groans, low and deep, and holy shit, my cock jerks in my hand from the sound alone. “Good,” he gasps, his head falling back, but it’s like he’s fighting with himself—between getting lost in his own pleasure and watching mine. I know the feeling. “So good.”
I nod and start moving my hand faster, matching his speed. He’s the first to go over, and I watch in fascination as his cock explodes, his cum spraying over his taut abs. I try to keep it down, biting on my bottom lip as I follow him over, spurt after spurt of cum flowing from my cock, draining my full balls.
He watches, licking his lips, and I come some more, my whole body tensing and relaxing at the same time.
When I finish, I look right into his eyes, and he’s smiling right at me. “Best date ever.”
“Agreed.” I grab a tissue and start to clean up, but I don’t want to say goodnight yet. “I wish I was in your bed though.”
“Soon,” he says, and there’s a promise there that settles me. “See you tomorrow? I think I’m going to go take a shower. Maybe a hot bath.”
I whimper at the thought of sliding into a hot bath with him, having his naked body against mine. “Maybe that’s why I didn’t like the whole bath thing. You weren’t with me.”
His smile is sweet as he cocks his head to the side. “We’ll try that too. But also... warm water and bubbles.”
I grin. “It’s a date.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nod exuberantly, because even knowing I won’t be able to touch him, I’m happy as hell to see his face any time.
It’s clear to me just how quickly I’m falling for him, and it’s all so new and scary—doomed to fail if I’m being honest—but I’m still clinging to the hope that maybe it can work out.
Another first for me. Having hope.