Page 61 of Reaching Roland

“I definitely think you'll be happier,” Cameron said over the top of Indie’s head.

“What are you going to call your business?” Chip asked.

His boyfriend, Ollie, stared at him fondly, like he'd asked the most important question in the world. I guess it kind of was if Roland was serious about this, which I knew he wouldn't have said in front of all these people if he wasn't.

“I want to draw your logo, Roland, if you don’t mind. It'll be my gift to you,” Julian said from where he sat on the floor with his Daddy, Joel.

Roland shook his head. “I appreciate that. But as one future small business owner to another, we need to support each other. I'll be paying you for your services.”

Joel snickered, elbowing Julian playfully. “See, you're the only one who doesn't realize that people are willing to pay you what you're worth.” Julian gave him a quick kiss.

Indie finally whirled back around, smacked his hands together, and rubbed them manically. “I'll get some paper, and we can make a list of names. I have so many ideas.”

While he did that, everyone started discussing words that fit a handyman. It was hilarious how into it they all were. From the hallway, Will waved me over. “Will needs me, Daddy.”

“Okay, shortcake. Hurry back.”

As if I wouldn't. I'd never been as content as I was at this moment. To be part of a pair with a man who so clearly adored me was amazing, and all I'd ever wanted. Plus, eventually, they’d all get the hell out of here, and I’d get my sleepover.

“Hey, Will. Everything okay?”

He glanced down the hall, then chewed on his thumbnail. I hadn’t seen him do that in years. “Yeah, my Daddy’s in the other room with Christian, Jackson, Tucker, Harrison, and Luca playing cards, but I wanted to plant a bug in your ear.”

I’d wondered where Luca had wandered off, too. It wasn’t surprising he was with his Daddy. But my interest was spiked by Will, so I stepped closer. “Oh yeah? What's up?”

“Daddy’s bored out of his mind.”

“Bored? I thought John’s job was stressful as hell.”

“It is, but that's not the only reason he doesn't enjoy it anymore. He hates how cut-throat it is. He wants to do something that matters and help people, but I can’t convince him to look into anything else.” He checked over his shoulder. He obviously didn’t want John to hear this. “He worries about the loss of income,” he whispered, rolling his eyes.

“How can I help?” I’d do anything for him, but this wasn’t really my area of expertise.

“Can we plan a dinner for the four of us soon? Roland’s making a power move here, and he’s older than my Daddy, so…”

“You’re thinking it might inspire him?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

Pulling my friend into my arms, I hugged him close. I understood why he was chewing his nails now. Will’s familial situation had been less than ideal in the exact opposite way of my friend, Joshua. Because of that, he had a love/hate relationship with money. John knew that, but he didn’t see the neglect that Will suffered firsthand like I did. “As soon as Roland sounds like he has some kind of plan, I’ll let you know. John knows business, so maybe they can help each other.”

He blew out a gusty breath against my neck. “Thank you, Kenny.”

“I’m always here for you. You know that.” As much as I adored being Roland’s boy, and I was discovering how much I enjoyed letting him carry the load so I could just be more and more every day. Until Roland’s fussing and mother-hening, I hadn’t realizedthe weight of the burdens I’d been carrying on my own living in the city far from my family. I think the hope that I’d meet Prince Charming had helped me ignore that, which explained why my thoughts had seriously started straying to moving back to the LBB after I decided I was giving up men.As if.

“Kenny, come here, honey,” Miss Georgina called.

“I’m going back into the den. You go be with your man,” Will said and promptly retreated back down the hall.

When I got back into the living room, Roland pulled me into his lap. “Will okay?” he asked in my ear.

“Yep. Just wants to have us over for dinner.”

Roland smiled. “That sounds nice.”

Miss Georgina cleared her throat daintily, and we all focused on her. “While I love all of your ideas and would sit here all night and listen to them if I could, it’s way,waypast my bedtime. So I’m going to make this simple. I already named Roland’s business.”

“You have?” a chorus of voices asked.

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