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Master Greer smirked faintly and came into the room. “Spiraling or restless or outta sorts—doesn’t matter what term you use, pet. It’d be weird if this situation didn’t unsettle you in some way.” He sat down next to me on the bed and gave my leg a squeeze. “I can tell you’ve been upset.”
Congratulations.
I sniffled and wiped what I hoped were the last remnants of my tears.
“I gotta take a shower. When I get back, we should talk,” he said.
I swallowed nervously, my stomach tightening. “Have you heard anything, Sir?”
He rose from the bed with a grunt and pushed down the suspenders of his utility pants. “I haven’t talked directly with Lucian yet, but we’re makin’ some changes around the community. Lucas and Pen are removing him from the DM schedule, and we took him off the volunteer list for the next three Games. If he won’t rest of his own accord, we’ll fuckin’ make him.”
Goddammit, I got all emotional again. My vision grew blurry, my breath hitched in my throat, and I had to cover my mouth with my hand. At the same time, my mind split in two. One, I was so fucking thankful for the Founders and all of Lucian’s friends. Two, what good would it do if the man himself didn’t freaking get it? We couldn’t fix his way of thinking. Master Greer and the others, sure, they could force Lucian to “sit one out,” and I could ensure he ate less salt and red meat. But then what?
“When I see you upset, I just wanna smack him upside the head.” Master Greer eased his fingers through my hair, then slipped his hand down to cup my cheek. “We’re gonna sort this out, Cam. Lucian’s one of the best people out there—he’s just lost his way. You hear me?”
I nodded jerkily, unable to speak, though I wasn’t sure what I’d say anyway. I didn’t know if I believed him.
CHAPTER 4
Cameron Jacobson
I didn’t say all that much after Master Greer’s shower. Archie filled him in on our day, and the two seemed to be in agreement that I was “understandably distraught and unsettled.”
They also believed Master and I would work things out.
Master Greer went down memory lane and was all, “You know, back in the day, he was a bit like my Dom hero. He taught me a lot about the Master I am today, and I know him well enough to think he’s just lost sight of what’s important. It sucks, but it can happen to anyone, especially when you’re stressed out and overwhelmed.”
What he’d said made sense—I felt every word resonate—but it was difficult to apply it to a real-life situation. This was what I was going through right now, and it was lonely as hell. I felt like I didn’t matter as much as his job, which, in turn, made me feel guilty because of how hard he worked to provide for us. And that…threw me down a rabbit hole of endless arguments. I didn’t fucking need to be a millionaire. I didn’t care about dining at the best restaurants. When I’d met Noa, he’d pulled me out of a dark void, and we’d found our happiness in cheap pizza slices, BOGO coupons, yard-sale dinnerware, and discounted produce that was a day from expiring.
Noa and I had spent sleepless nights planning a Florida road trip and how much money we had to save. Now…that road trip was an all-inclusive luxury trip to Aruba, and Lucian and KC were taking us at the end of the year.
“Dinner’s almost ready, my love.” Archie pressed a kiss to Master Greer’s cheek, just within earshot of Loki and…I wanted to say Jamie? He’d stated that second grade was the worst earlier, anyway.
Little did the boy know.
“All right.” Master Greer got up from his seat at the head of the table and yelled so loudly that I flinched. “All the kids, go wash your hands! Dinner’s ready! Step on it!”
Jesus.
Jamie and Loki darted out of the living room at the same time as another set of feet padded down the stairs. Or stomped was probably more accurate. And Sloan hollered that he had Kyla somewhere.
Master Greer sat down again, and I finished setting the table. It was all Archie had allowed me to do.
Meanwhile, Archie prepared the last of the fixings for the burgers.
“You need help, baby?” Master Greer asked.
“Absolutely not,” he replied. “I’m almost done.”
I’d delivered the same response to Master so many times.
I was curious about something, though. There seemed to be an agreement between the two that concerned Archie not doing too much.
“Sir,” I said, keeping my voice down. “What is it with Archie’s to-do list? Is he not allowed to complete it?”
Master Greer chuckled and reached down to scratch one of the dogs behind the ears. “Let’s just say you and Lucian aren’t the only ones strugglin’ with trust issues at the moment.”
Ouch. How was that a joking matter? He didn’t appear bothered one bit. He was amused.
