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“Anytime,” he said sincerely. “I’ll send you a text when I have him to let you know everything’s fine. Do you want me to pick Kris up today too? They’re coming over tomorrow anyway, so we can just make it a night early. That way I’ll be around and Donny won’t have to be home alone.” Not that Donny would complain about being home alone. In fact, Abe guessed he’d prefer it, but that didn’t mean it was the best thing for him.
“You don’t think Jason will mind? I’m sure you two have plans tonight.”
Having the kids over meant no blow jobs in the kitchen or fucking over the back of the couch, but otherwise, their plans for the night would stay the same. On the surface, Abe wouldn’t have thought he’d have a lot in common with an arrogant surgeon who picked him up at a bar, refused to exchange more than cursory information, and made it clear he had no interest in pursuing a date, let alone a relationship. But now that he knew Jason well, Abe realized they were very well-matched when it came to most things, including how they liked to spend their time.
They were both homebodies, preferring quiet evenings at home to loud bars or restaurants, especially during the workweek. After the first time they’d watched a movie on Jason’s big-screen TV instead of at the movie theater, Jason had bought a popcorn maker and a case of Milk Duds and implemented naked movie night. Which was another area where their needs met in a way Abe had never dared to hope would happen. His sexual fantasies had always been just that—fantasies. The idea that a man could be rough and dirty with him in bed but still respectful and gentle out of it had seemed too contradictory to be realistic. And because Abe absolutely needed the latter, he assumed the man he’d end up with wouldn’t be able to give him the former. Being with Jason showed him both were possible.
“We don’t have any plans,” Abe said. “Jase probably won’t get home until close to seven, and then we’re having lasagna and watching whatever Netflix recommends.”
“That sounds… really domestic and sweet, actually. If you’re both okay with Donny and Kris coming over a night early, that would be helpful,” she said and sighed. “I need to go. But, Abe?”
“Yes?” He walked into the garage and hit the button to open the door.
“I’m really glad Jason met you. You’ve been great to my kids and—” She cleared her throat. “I’ll always love Jason. Our marriage was destined for failure, but he’s my friend and I’ve worried about him for so long. I never thought…. You’re good for him. He’s a happier man, a better man, with you in his life.”
Warmed soul-deep at those words but unsure how to respond, Abe went with simple but honest. “He does the same for me. I’ll, uh, text you soon.”
“Good. Thanks again. Bye, Abe.”
“Bye.”
“IT WASN’T my fault!” Donny screamed from the family room.
“I didn’t say it was your fault!” Jason yelled back.
“It’s what you meant!”
“Don’t tell me what I mean! I know what I mean!”
“How were your classes today?” Abe asked Kristen as he sat next to her in front of the peninsula in the kitchen.
“Good.” Kristen looked over her shoulder to the commotion in the other room and then bit her lip.
“Is your lasagna okay?” Abe asked, trying to refocus her attention.
“What?” She glanced down at her untouched meal. “Oh. Yes. Sorry.” She scooped a bite up with her fork, placed it in her mouth, carefully chewed it, and then swallowed. “This is very good. Thank you, Abe.”
Her words were exceptionally polite, but her smile was forced and her eyes were tense.
“He’s going to be okay,” Abe said quietly.
“I think he’s—” She snapped her mouth shut, reached for her glass, and gulped down her water.
“You think he’s what?” Abe asked.
“Fine! What did you mean?” Donny shouted from the family room.
“I asked you what happened today,” Jason said. “That’s what I meant!”
“And I told you it wasn’t my fault.”
“Dammit, Donny. Answer my question. I want to know why you got into a fight.”
“Because the guy was an asshole and he started it, that’s why.”
“Watch your language,” Jason scolded.
“Are you kidding? You just said ‘damn’ and I can’t say ‘asshole’?”
After a momentary pause during which Abe flinched, Jason said, “I’m an adult.”
“Oh, so you didn’t say ‘asshole’ when you were my age?” Donny snorted disbelievingly. “Yeah, right.”
“Don’t use that tone with me, Donny.”
“Or what? You’ll send me back to Mom’s house? She doesn’t want me either.”
Abe winced and closed his eyes. The boy needed to be in therapy. Yes, it was possible the problems were mostly due to hormones he’d eventually outgrow, but eventually was too far away and he could do irreparable damage in the meantime.
