“I read,” Connor said.
“You can do that from the comfort of the house.”
Connor stared at Trevor with a blank expression, making the man sigh. “You have to get at least another four hours of sleep.”
“How long will that bread take, Laurence?”
“Probably about two or three hours?”
“I’ll sleep until the bread is done,” Connor bargained. Laurence’s arms were still wrapped around his midsection with his head buried against Connor’s chest. “Can you let me go so I can do that?” Connor requested.
Laurence gave Connor a final squeeze before pulling back. “Do you prefer vegetable or mushroom soup?”
“Mushroom.”
“Oh, we’re out of mushrooms.”
“Veg is fine, then.”
“No. Dad can get some?” Laurence glanced at Trevor. “It’s to cheer Connor up, Dad. Please?”
Trevor sighed.
“Do you expect him to go searching the forest?” Connor questioned. “Nowhere is open yet. Just throw together whatever is there and spare the dad-torture for the moment.”
“‘Dad-torture’?” Laurence scoffed.
“I’m going to crash on the couch.” Connor stifled a yawn as they entered the house. He toed off his sandy shoes inside the doorway and walked to the living room couch to lie on it. After messing with the cushions, he shoved them all off. He shut his eyes, letting out a long sigh. As soon as he’d eaten, he’d go out on the paddleboard to spend time with Adonis. He’d bring his phone, read the details of what was going on with the case, and figure out a plan of action.
A heavy weight pressed down on Connor. He peeked through one eye to watch Trevor arrange duvet covers over his body. “Here,” Trevor said, offering him a pillow.
Connor coughed out thanks.
A few minutes later, Trevor’s footsteps approached again, and he lifted the covers to place a hot water bottle onto Connor’s stomach. Connor couldn’t resist the snicker that climbed out of his throat. “You’re softer than a teddy bear.”
Trevor snorted in amusement. He patted Connor’s hair lightly. “I’m not the one who fell for Laurence’s crocodile tears.”
Connor jolted. “What?” He flicked his eyes open, tilting back his head to see Trevor’s expression. “He wasn’t faking that.”
Trevor grinned. “I’ve seen it before. The fidgeting, tugging at the sleeve? He pinches his wrist to make his eyes water.”
Connor felt more betrayed than when he’d learned about Austin and Peter in bed together.
Trevor laughed at his expression. “You’ll get used to being played. Trust me.”
Connor steamed when Trevor left him. He wasn’t angry—but—he’d fallen for it. Completely. And Laurence had gotten exactly what he’d wanted out of Connor. Connor heard Laurence and Trevor talking in the kitchen and the sounds of cooking.
“Ugh,” Connor grunted in annoyance. He was annoyed because he couldn’t be angry at getting played. Because what Laurence had wanted was to give him a hug and make him a delicious meal. Though it would have been better if Trevor hadn’t witnessed Connor falling for Laurence’s tricks without batting an eye.
*
Connor dozed until the food was ready and then joined everyone in the kitchen for breakfast. He snagged one of the throw blankets from the living room couch and wrapped it around his shoulders. The soup, surprisingly, was bland, as well as the bread. Connor, obviously, would die before he said that to Laurence.
“It’s delicious,” Edith said, casting Laurence a warm smile.
Connor scanned the table to see everyone devouring the homemade bread and dipping it into the soup. He sipped at his and munched slowly on the bread.
Trevor cast Connor a curious look as he stood up with an empty bowl to get seconds. That curious look turned pointed as Trevor set his now full bowl of soup back on the table.
