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“I’m not sure I need unexpected trips right now, Quinn. I’m trying to keep a low profile, and my dad has his little spies everywhere.”
I knew he wasn’t being paranoid, but we were going to be careful. “Mmm…you’re daddy knows what his pup needs and when. Now come on.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him out the door. We walked down the back stairway and out to my car, which was parked nearby. Then we drove south.
When we got there, I parked by the side of the building away from the street. “Where are we, Quinn?”
“You’ll see.” I took his hand again and steered him to the side entrance. When I opened the door and gently pushed him through it, everyone jumped up and yelled, “Surprise!”
“What? Fuck.”
Jax laughed and handed him a bag. “I had some of Boone’s things at Tam-PAH.”
“Boone? What?” Then he seemed to realize the others were dressed as pups. “Oh!”
I nudged his shoulder. “Go get ready. Time to play.”
He grabbed the bag and dashed to the side. He changed into shorts and a tight tank then shoved his hands into MMA-style gloves. Then he pulled out a red and white puppy mask. Jax helped him put it on. He normally wore a red and white wrestling singlet that matched his mask or a harness, but he didn’t have those things with him. I wasn’t sure where they were. But he had a mask, gloves, and snug clothes that would work.
Once Jax had both their masks on, Boone bounced all over the place. They both dove onto the mats. The next few hours, the pups played, rolled around and had a great time. The joy came back into Royce’s eyes. I wanted to punch his father in the face for taking it away from him in the first place. I didn’t know the man or what his intentions were, but if he knew Royce at all, he wouldn’t have done this to him. Maybe he didn’t care about Royce the same way my mother cared about me.
Ugh, my mother. She was absent a lot. I got stuck caring for my sister and had to grow up too fast. That was something I had in common with Royce. But she never tried to control me. Despite her active social life, at least I always knew I was cared about. She wasn’t a huge part of my life now, but then she never was that I could remember. But I knew if I called her, she’d be there for me. I didn’t think Royce had that with his family. I decided he’d have that in me. No matter what happened with our relationship, I’d always be there for him if he needed me.
After the mosh died down and everyone was worn out, Royce pulled off his mask, and I made him drink water. He needed to be sure not to dehydrate. After a long swallow, he said, “Thank you. I needed this.”
“I know.” I rubbed his knee, earning a wink and a smile.
Eventually, we packed up and got ready to go. “You hungry? We can stop on the way home.” They normally had treats and snacks when they played, but this was thrown together at the last minute. I expected he’d be ready for food.
“Yeah. Come on.” We headed back to my car. As we got in, flashes went off in my peripheral. “Fuck, Quinn.” Royce dove into the car.
“What the hell was that?” I climbed into the driver’s seat and locked the doors.
“I think it was a camera. My fucking father probably had me followed.” He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. “Shit. So much for being careful.”
That was not going to go well. I hadn’t meant to make things worse for him but feared that was exactly what I had done.
Chapter seven
The Blow-Up
Royce
I walked up the flight of stairs to the apartment I was currently sharing with Todd. And there he was—my father—standing beside the door. “Fuck.” I handed Quinn the takeout bags. I had been looking forward to the rice bowls we’d picked up from the Bricks on our way. “Go inside. Please, don’t say anything,” I told him, and he did as I asked without a word but not without a glare. If I read his expression clearly, he was ready to take my father’s head off.
Once the door was shut, I snapped at my father. “What do you want?”
“I know what you’re doing.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, you know everything.”
“I do. You’re acting like a teenager all over again. You think I didn’t know about the stunts you pulled back then? The difference is, I thought you’d outgrow this. And you haven’t.”
I didn’t listen to whatever else he was saying. Instead, I yelled at him, “You don’t outgrow being gay.” Anger surged through me. He claimed to understand, but he didn’t. Not any of it. “It’s who I am.”
“For Christ's sake, Royce. I do not care that you’re gay. It’s the rest of the insanity and perverted shit you get up to. And making insane investments.” He sighed deeply, but he wasn’t finished. “I’m not hashing this out again. You think I’ve been hard on you? You haven’t seen anything yet. This is what you’re going to do. First, you’re expected at Christmas dinner. I expect you to be there, dressed and well-behaved.”
“Fine.” I didn’t know what else to say. That wasn’t completely horrible. I’d survived it before, but it had been a few years.
“Second. You will never be released from the conservatorship if you continue to act like a child. I have no need to dig into your life if you act responsibly. Date who you want.” He flicked his hand toward the door. “But you will not continue this doggy dress-up bullshit. You’ve made a laughingstock out of our family. Live in the apartment and drive the car I have provided.”
