Page 9 of Ethan’s Dazzling Daddies

His partner Manny strode up, likely having heard Koa's scream. “What's going on over here, boys?” he asked.

Koa turned to him, bouncing on his toes and clapping his hands excitedly. “Ethan finally quit his job, Daddy. Isn't that so exciting?”

Manny's eyes widened the same way Koa's had. “You quit your job,” he said slowly.

“Yes, Uncle Manny,” Ethan agreed. The nickname had been a request of both Koa and Manny since Ethan was like family. They needed him to feel included in the best way they could manage.

“Well, I'll be. Congratulations, Ethan. I'm so glad you're finally free.”

There was a spark in Manny's eye that Ethan didn't necessarily like. He knew that Manny and Ash had been friendly at one time. There'd been talk of Ash being at another club, and for all the weeks since that blow-up, Ethan had thought about what that meant.

He didn't have the courage to ask his boss, and Manny seemed tight-lipped about it all. He wouldn't dwell on it. He couldn't. What he could do was make sure that no matter what, Manny kept Ethan’s secrets.

“You won't tell him where I am, will you?” Ethan asked.

Manny raised his hands. “Absolutely not. I would never. You are safe here, Ethan. I haven't spoken to Ash since we ran into him that night, and I have no intention of speaking to him again if he treated you badly enough that you quit working for him.”

Ethan shook his head. “No, it's not that he treated me badly⁠—”

Koa scoffed. “I don't know what you consider bad, but him acting as if you should bend to his will every minute of the day is pretty bad in my opinion.”

The indignation in his best friend's tone made Ethan giggle. It sounded a little hysterical and he knew the others could tell. Thankfully, they didn't press, because Jacob walked up with a plate of cookies in hand.

“Rumor mill says someone quit his job today,” Jacob said. “Does that mean you're going to be stress-free from here on out?”

Ethan blushed, ducking his head. He wasn't quite sure how to answer. He always got so tongue-tied around Jacob now. The more he paid attention to Ethan, the harder it was to be cool, calm, and collected.

“I—” he started, but his brain couldn't finish the loop, couldn't close in on what he needed to express.

“It's okay. You don't have to tell me anything,” Jacob said. “I'm about to head out for the day anyway.”

Koa pouted. “You're done already? But Ethan just got here.”

“I know, and I hate that I'm not here for this.” Jacob glanced around at the group.

“Do you have plans? Is there some reason you can't stick around?” Manny asked.

Jacob rubbed the back of his neck, glancing from Ethan to the others and back. He looked at Manny when he answered. “I was planning to test out some recipes. All of the ingredients are at my place, and it's kind of a surprise. I didn't expect Ethan to show up today.”

Ethan frowned, thinking maybe he was the problem here. Should he have just gone home? And if Ash somehow found out about the club and that Manny was connected to it, would he could looking for Ethan there?

Panic built in his chest at the idea of having to confront his former boss. Asking Manny to keep his secrets wouldn’t matter if Ash put two and two together on his own.

“Whoa, whoa. What's wrong?”

Ethan came back to the moment to find Jacob holding his hands. He didn't have the energy to blush or panic further. He was too shocked to realize he'd lost his composure at the mere thought of Ash's arrival.

It wasn't Ash himself so much as the conversation that would have to be had. His boss was really, really good at arguing, especially when he wanted his way.

Ethan knew he'd done a good job, knew his work had been important. If Ash wanted him back, he would have a compelling argument that Ethan wasn't sure he could resist. He only had so much bravery.

“I just thought about him finding me here,” he said.

Jacob's jaw tightened and his hands tightened on Ethan’s. Koa and Manny must have noticed as well, because they shared a look before turning back to Ethan.

“You're right that he could probably show up,” Koa said carefully. “And he knows where you live too, right?”

Ethan nodded.