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David tried to think of a way to make Noel understand. “Maybe my family isn’t worth losing you?” He held Noel’s gaze until he rolled his eyes and shrugged.
“I’m not sure that’s true.”
Oscar jumped up on Noel’s chair, meowing loudly.
David went into the kitchen and got food for Oscar, who raced in and attacked his bowl like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. “Are you hungry?” David called in, and began getting the things together for a simple breakfast.
David waspleased when Noel seemed content to stay. He hated the fact that his father had cast a pall over the day. Still, David refused to let his father’s hatred and closed-mindedness ruin the entire day. He turned on Netflix, and they binge-watched a cooking show, sitting together on the sofa with Oscar curled up next to him.
“Have you traveled a lot?” Noel asked after the episode devoted to French cooking.
“A fair amount, I guess. When Mom was alive, we used to go on family vacations. One year we went to Paris. It was amazing. Mom used to plan everything, and my father went along… sort of. He always seemed content to let her do what she wanted. I think he really wanted to make Mom happy.” David wondered what the hell had changed. Mom’s death had been hard on his father, but maybe the goodness that he’d once had had come from her. And with Mom gone, replaced by Rachel, there was nothing left but bitterness and ambition. Who knew? David refused to spend a quiet afternoon thinking about him.
“I remember a trip to Wisconsin Dells with my mom. We took the jet boat up the river. It was pretty amazing.” Noel smiled and leaned against him. “I miss my mom sometimes.”
David put an arm around him, knowing exactly how Noel felt. There were times when he very much missed the way things used to be. David started the next episode of the show and sat quietly.
“What has you all wound up?” Noel asked halfway through. “Your hand is bouncing. Is it things with your father?”
“No,” he answered. David had learned a long time ago that when dealing with him, he had to give things time. And David was pretty sure that the next time his father needed something, he’d be back as though nothing had happened. “I’m just wound up, though I don’t know why.”
“Should I go?” Noel looked at him, and David drew him closer, nuzzling his neck, inhaling that amazing scent. Almost instantly, the nervousness slipped away, and David closed his eyes, burying his face in Noel’s neck. “David…,” Noel whimpered, stretching his neck and shaking slightly. David loved the way Noel reacted to him.
“You taste so good,” he whispered, shifting on the cushions. Oscar jumped down with a soft growl and probably left the room. Not that David particularly noticed—he was way too wrapped up in Noel. He pressed him down on the sofa, and they made out like teenagers.
“What is this?”
David sat up, staring over the back of the sofa to where Rachel glared at him from his kitchen. “What is it with you and Dad today? It’s like Grand Central in here.” He kissed Noel gently and left him lying down, out of Rachel’s line of sight. Then he got up, straightened his shirt, and stalked over to his stepmother. “I know I locked the door.”
“Your father gave me his key and asked if I could talk some sense into you.” She put her hands on her hips, and David help out his hand.
“Give me the key,” he said, and she slowly handed it over. “Now you can leave.”
She glared at the sofa like she had X-ray vision. “Is your trick… or whatever you call it… still here?”
David scoffed. “I’d say the gold-digging slut is still here, but she is just leaving.” It took Rachel a few seconds before her indignation kicked in. “I know what you are, and I’m tired of it. You can pull the wool over Dad’s eyes, but I’ve had enough. You pushed Dad into this campaign, and you can see it through yourselves. I’m not part of it any longer.”
“We need you. The polls are moving in his direction.”
David rolled his eyes. “I’m done. And if either of you push me any further, I will come out publicly against him. His decisions have nothing to do with me, and I won’t have my life affected.”
She stepped forward on her stiletto heels. “Your father is so angry. He’s talking of asking you to leave the company.” She was bluffing and David knew it.
“You can leave now.” He walked her to the door the same way he had his father. “I have dinner plans this evening. Jack Williams asked to speak with me.” He opened the door, and she pulled her coat closed, leaving in a huff. David shut the door and locked it again behind her.
“Do those people have any idea when to quit?” Noel asked.
“They do now,” David said as he came around the sofa.
Noel got up onto his feet. “I should get going before your guest gets here.”
David closed his arms around Noel’s waist and gently drew him back down. “Why? There is no guest. Jack is a friend of my parents, and I haven’t seen him in a while. I know you couldn’t see it, but Rachel went as pale as a sheet when I mentioned him.”
“Why?” Noel asked.
“Because they’re having an affair. Or at least I thought they were. Turns out I was right. The way the fear spiked in her eyes told me everything.” He began laughing. “I always knew she was after whatever she could get.”
“Will you tell your father?” Noel asked.
