Page 48 of Reaching Roland

Indie put up his hand, cutting me off. “Kenny, you're definitely Roland's boy.”

Luca rolled his eyes. “I don't think repeating it over and over is helping the way you think it is.” He leaned into the table, eyes boring into me like he saw into my soul. “Kenny, do you or do you not call RolandDaddy?”

“Yeah, but… it's a joke. You know, because he's so…”

“Daddy-ish?” Chip asked.

I pointed at him. “Exactly.”

Luca shook his head a little. “Does he or does he not feed you when he thinks you're slacking on your dietary needs?”

“He does,” I admitted begrudgingly.

“Yes or no, he's on you about the shoes you wear to work?” he asked next.

I narrowed my eyes at Luca. “How did you know that?”

Julian cackled. “Everyone knows that.”

“They do?” I asked. Were we bugged or something? How did everyone know our business?

Luca propped an elbow on the table. “Does Roland open all your doors? Yes, you don't even have to answer. Is he protective of you? Yes, again. I don't need you to answer that either. I know Roland.”

Chip nodded. “That's true. He's a total Daddy.”

Indy patted my hand. “Don't worry, I'll only put you in the group chat with the four of us until you get the hang of this boy thing.”

Horrified, my gaze moved back to Julian. “What? Is this real life?”

Julian started laughing, and Chip and Indie quickly joined in.

Luca, the more serious of the crew, shrugged. “So we all know how Roland is. Here’s the question you have to ask yourself. Do you like it?”

Well, hell.

Chapter Seventeen

ROLAND

“Dad, calm down,” Cameron said.

My gaze slid back to the doorway leading to my den. “What do you think is happening in there?”

Miss Georgina blinked at me. “They're probably preparing him for sacrifice.”

“What?” I asked as I rose to my feet. It wasn’t that I really thought they were hurting him in any way, and I knew he could take care of himself, but it was four against one.

Cameron rolled his eyes. “Dad, sit your ass down.” He stood up. “I'm going to make you a cup of tea. Miss Georgina, would you care for one?”

“Yes, please, sweetheart.” As my son headed for the tea kettle, Miss Georgina grabbed my hand in her frail one. “I know this is all new for you, honey, but it'll be fine. Indie just needs to bond with Kenny. It’ll settle his nerves.”

Startled at the way she said that, my eyes widened. “Why? Don't they get along?”

“They do,” Cameron said over the running water. “But he wants them to get closer.”

My gaze went back to Miss Georgina, and I shook my head, so completely confused. “Closer? Why?”

She patted the top of my hand. “Roland, Indie just got you back. He doesn't ever want to lose you again.”

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