He felt Rutledge go rigid under him. “Yes.”
Shawn hesitated, unsure what to say. “What happened? Someone said you were getting married.”
Rutledge sighed, something Shawn felt more than heard as Rutledge’s chest expanded under his cheek. “It was Joseph’s manipulations again. I went there because he told me he was on his deathbed. When I arrived, there was a huge gathering.”
“What kind of gathering?” Shawn said, running his fingers through Derek’s chest hair.
“Lots of politicians, rich businessmen and journalists. When I arrived, Joseph made an announcement.”
Shawn’s eyes widened. “He actually announced your engagement without asking you? It’s crazy.” Wow. He knew Derek’s father was a despot, but that was ridiculous, even for him.
Rutledge seemed to hesitate. “I think… I think he hasn’t been right in the head lately. And he probably hoped I wouldn’t want to make a scene in front of so many influential people and journalists. He was right—our family would have become a laughing stock if I did that. I took him aside and told him if he didn’t deny his announcement, I would do it myself.” Rutledge paused. His voice was flat when he continued, “He got furious and had a heart attack. He was dead by the next morning.”
Shawn closed his eyes. “Did you sort things out before he died?”
Rutledge chuckled, the sound harsh and humorless. “No. Even on his deathbed, he called me the biggest disappointment of his life. He tried to manipulate me even as he was struggling to breathe. Threatened to leave everything to Vivian’s husband if I didn’t marry that girl. Of course he didn’t. He’s—he was too old-fashioned for that.”
Shawn’s lips brushed the warm skin, and he breathed in, feeling the steady beat of Rutledge’s heart against his cheek. “He’s… I’m not saying that excuses him, but if he didn’t care about you, he wouldn’t have been… I mean, he’s not a villain. When I talked to him, he was an arrogant asshole, but there was something he said… He said you were his son, and you were no fool. I think he’s—he was just too proud to say anything nice, even if he felt differently, you know?”
Rutledge sighed. “It doesn’t matter now. I don’t care.”
Liar.
Shawn nuzzled against his skin. “I’m glad you’re back, Derek.”
He felt Rutledge’s body stiffen for a moment and then relax against his. A strong arm wrapped around Shawn’s back and pulled him close tightly, almost bruising his ribs.
Shawn didn’t complain. He snuggled closer to Derek’s warmth and fell asleep momentarily.
He slept like a baby, for the first time in a week.
Chapter 23
“Derek,” Shawn said, closing the door.
Derek didn’t look up from his computer. “Not now. I’m busy and you’re… you’re too distracting.”
Shawn smiled. “Distracting, huh?”
Derek shot him a glare, but it was half-hearted at best.
“Come on, just tell me already!”
“No special treatment,” Derek said. “You’ll learn your grade when everyone else does. Tomorrow.”
Leaning back against the door, Shawn bit his lip. “Did I fail?”
He wasn’t sure. Derek had helped him a lot lately, explaining a lot of the stuff Shawn had missed at the beginning of the semester. Shawn had thought his understanding of the subject improved and that he’d done pretty well on the exam, but now, looking at Derek’s grim face, he wasn’t sure anymore.
“No,” Derek said. “You didn’t fail.”
Shawn breathed out. “So what did I get? A C, right?”
Derek pursed his lips. “You got a B.”
Shawn’s mouth fell open. “Really? Wait, did you—”
“No, I didn’t give you any special treatment,” Derek said, his tone somewhat defensive. “You did a good job. You’re not unintelligent. If you actually bothered to attend classes, you wouldn’t have had any problems at all.”
