Page 18 of Reaching Roland

“What do you mean?” Cameron asked.

Indie waved a hand in my direction. “Your group has been friends since you were kids. Is it wrong to change their opinions of my father?”

“I don’t think it’s fair that they don’t know who they’re spending all their time with,” Miss Georgina said tartly.

Stretching out a hand toward Indie, he placed his palm in mine, and I squeezed. “I think a couple of the guys won’t care or will be too scared to lose your father’s friendship to say anything. But they’re not all shitheads, or I wouldn’t have stayed friends with them after Rhonda passed. Some of them are good men, and they adored you as much as they loved Cameron or any of the other kids. And I’ll be right there by your side, no matter what happens.”

“And me, my little peacock.” Cameron kissed his boyfriend’s temple.

“You know I’ll be there,” Miss Georgina said, sounding like a mama bear. “I’ll even bring my cane to walk with, in case I need it.” She smiled maniacally, and even I was a little scared at howfast she’d be using it to knock someone on the head. Or, in Bart’s case, maybe shove it up his ass.

Kenny’s hand went up in the air, too. “You give me the date, and I’ll be there, too. I have plenty of vacation days stored up. You won’t be alone.”

“And your dad won’t get anywhere near you,” I said, squeezing his hand again.

He blinked back tears. “Thank you, Rolly.” He glanced around the table. “Everyone. I’ll think about what you said, Kenny. Thank you.”

Kenny smiled at him softly. I was even happier now that I’d invited him to come over. We’d all said the same version of that to Indie, but I think it helped hearing it from someone who wasn’t also trying to tiptoe around the situation. “Shortcake?”

“Yes, Daddy?”

I snorted. “How is it that you have so much wisdom up in that head of yours, but you don’t have enough sense to wear comfortable shoes to work when you stand on your feet all day?”

My question broke the seriousness of the conversation, and we all laughed, but then Indie put me on the spot. “So have you considered my suggestion, Rolly?”

What suggestion? “I’m going with no since I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“To start your own handyman business.” He fluttered his eyelashes, then turned to his grandma. “Don’t you think he should?”

No help at all, Miss Georgina’s face lit up. “That’s an excellent idea, Indie. You should listen to him, Roland.”

“What handyman business?” Kenny asked.

I waved it off. “Nothing. Ignore him.”

Cameron cleared his throat. “Actually, Dad. I think you should think about it.” Was my sensible son serious right now?

Before I formulated a response, Indie turned to Kenny. “So here’s the deal. Rolly’s worked so hard all his life. He had a family young and still managed to go to college and get a good job. He’s been grinding his whole life, and he hates his job.”

“I don’t?—”

“You do,” Cameron and Indie said at the same time, cutting me off.

Miss Georgina nodded sagely, and Kenny, well, that little shortcake pointed glared daggers at me. “It’s true. Even I know that.”

“Told ya.” Indie stuck his tongue out at me. “So me and my friends?—”

Kenny held up a hand, halting Indie and asked, “Which friends?”

“Oh, so yeah, I’m part of Toby’s crew now, right? And I love all the guys, but my main boys are Julian, Chip, and Luca.”

Kenny grinned. “I can see that. You don’t know how thrilled we all are that Julian and Joel have built these new relationships so quickly. Their fathers were all a little worried that they’d regret moving back home.”

As Indie nodded, opening his mouth to reply, Cameron tapped his shoulder. “Focus.”

Indie smiled. “You’re right. Thank you, Daddy. We can talk all about that later, Kenny. For now, the important thing is Rolly’s lived his whole life taking care of everyone else. Which, technically a handyman business would still be him taking care of other people, but he enjoys it, so why not get paid for it?”

“It’s not that easy,” I protested.

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