Page 33 of Just a Little in Love

Rowan’s tummy grumbled at the thought. He definitely wanted an egg and soldiers. He wanted it very badly, but he wanted to keep Daddy more. “I’m full,” he whispered. It was a lie and Rowan felt his face flame.

Daddy considered him thoughtfully. “Something tells me you just told Daddy a lie.”

Heat then cold rushed through Rowan and tears pricked his eyes. Oh God, now Daddy would hate him. Daddy crouched down, so he was on the same level as Rowan. “Can you do something for me?”

Rowan nodded. Anything. He would do anything.

“Then I want you to let go of all the other people’s voices in your head that tell you when and if you can do something and just listen to your voice. You’re an intelligent boy, Rowan. You’re smart and kind to a fault. If you promise me it’s because you’re genuinely full, then of course you don’t have to eat your breakfast. But I want that promise first.”

Rowan pressed his lips together. All sorts of words were fighting to get out, but his head was full of other voices. “It’s hard,” he whispered.

Daddy brought a hand to his cheek and Rowan leaned into it, closing his eyes. “I know we already said that it was too early for absolute trust, but are you worried I would do anything to harm you?”

Rowan’s eyes flew open and his breath hitched. “No, no Daddy, of course not.”

“Then trust me on this. I promise to take care of you, and that means all of you. I respect every decision you make. You can safe-word at any time and there will never be a punishment for safe-wording, ever. So Monday to Friday, we eat healthily. Weekends are for treats.”

Which sounded like it would last for a long time. Oh, how Rowan hoped that was true.

“I promise,” he whispered and picked up a toast soldier with one hand and a small spoon to scoop out his egg in the other.

He ate every scrap. Not that Daddy had given him a lot, and he enjoyed seeing Daddy eat two eggs, more toast, and drink two cups of coffee. Then he rushed to help Daddy clear the kitchen because he’d cooked. Every so often Daddy sent him a warm smile, or he might brush his lips on Rowan’s cheek, or squeeze his hand. Rowan felt like he was flying.

Daddy told Rowan he needed to check in with his sister before they talked, and Rowan’s ears pricked up. Daddy had told him about Clare’s physical challenges and Rowan hoped she would approve of him. What amazed him was that Daddy never attempted to make his call private and he listened avidly as Daddy teased her. He could tell Daddy was very fond of her.

“I have some news,” Daddy said, and his eyes sought Rowan’s. “I have a gorgeous man staying with me.”

Rowan could hear the squeal. Huh, the neighbors could probably hear it.

“Tell me he’s pretty,” Clare’s voice came over the line.

Daddy chuckled. “I just put you on speaker, but yes, Rowan is beautiful.”

Rowan turned so hot he worried he might combust.

“But he’s shy and I think I might have just embarrassed him,” Daddy said, humor in his voice. “I can’t wait for the two of you to meet.” Daddy sent him a fond smile, and it warmed Rowan to his toes.

“Maybe after my trip with Stacey?” Clare asked eagerly.

Daddy confirmed, asked her another couple of practical questions about a new access door or something, told her he loved her, and hung up.

Rowan thought he should ask something, but before he could work himself up to it, the sound of a cell ringing could be heard from the bedroom.

“Well, it isn’t mine,” Daddy grinned, waggling the phone he still held. He walked to the bedroom to grab Rowan’s and all Rowan’s happiness evaporated. Although it was probably his dad or his study buddies. They occasionally still asked if he was going to hang out with them. The phone had stopped ringing when Daddy came back with it, but as he handed it to Rowan, it started again. Rowan answered it quickly without thinking because he wanted to get back to the cozy bubble he was in with Daddy and shut out the rest of the world.

“Rowan,” he acknowledged and glanced at Daddy, needing the grounding.

“Where are you? I’ve already spoken to Mrs. Edwards, and she told me you were very rude to her in town. The car isn’t here so I can’t go out. And don’t lie to me and try to tell me you’re at a study group because all your books are here.”

Rowan’s hands seemed to seize, and the phone slipped from his grasp. Mother? But wasn’t she in jail? Daddy grabbed the phone before it slipped off his lap and eyed the number. Then decisively, he ended the call. A second later, it started ringing again and Daddy simply turned it off.

“I’m assuming that was your mother?”

But Rowan felt so nauseous he didn’t dare open his mouth. She expected him to go home. He would have to. What if she found out where he was? What if she turned up here? “I—I have to go,” he whispered, voice cracking. He couldn’t risk her bringing her poison here.

Daddy didn’t reply for a moment, but then he stood and held out his hand. Rowan took it automatically and Daddy led him to the comfy old chair in the bedroom. Daddy sat and dragged Rowan onto his lap. “This is what we’re going to do. We’re going to call your dad first and find out what’s going on. Then if we need to, we’ll call the detectives. If you really need to see your mother, I will take you, but I’m not leaving you there and you’re not seeing her on your own.”

“I’m not?” Rowan repeated. Daddy wouldn’t leave him?

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