Page 60 of Reaching Roland

“I was, too, apparently,” Pete said. “Fred told me a couple of weeks ago how badly Bart bullies him when no one’s around. Can you fuckin’ imagine? We’re grown-ass men now. At least we’re supposed to be.”

That made me rethink what I thought I knew. I wouldn’t want to hang around my high school bully into adulthood, either. Especially if he was still doing it. “I’m sorry, Fred. I wish I had known.”

“You had problems of your own. You didn’t need me whining like a baby.”

Kenny cleared his throat.

“Sorry, shortcake. I didn’t mean to be rude. Pete, Fred, this is my…”

“Partner,” Kenny supplied helpfully.

“My partner, Kenny, and our friend, Oz.”

Pete didn’t bat an eye at how I introduced Kenny, and handshakes were given all around.

Fred, on the other hand, waited until he had Kenny’s hand in a firm grip before he said, “My wife will be thrilled when I tell her about you. We’ve been worried about Roland ever since Cameron moved out.”

“Really?” I asked, surprised. No one had ever said a word beyond Bart’s disgusting suggestions that I go get some…

“Yeah. We talked about it all the time.”

“Cheryl and I did, too,” Pete said.

Wow. How had I missed that? Kenny bumped me. “While it’s nice to meet both of you, that’s not actually why I wanted your attention, Roland.”Was it weird that I hated hearing my given name coming out of his sweet mouth?“I saw a few of the people you invited over to your house getting in their cars, so we should probably get going, too.”

“Shit, yeah.”

Pete frowned, and disappointment flashed across Fred’s face.

I extended the olive branch. I owed them that, at least. “Hey, guys, can we catch up one day next week? We can meet out somewhere?—”

“Or you can have them over and hang out in the den,” Kenny suggested innocently, but I saw how pleased he was to see me reconnecting with my friends. Honestly, I was, too. We had to have some serious conversations, but maybe, hopefully, I’d be able to reclaim a little of a part of my life with Rhonda that I lost when I honored Indie’s wishes. He’d never know how much that cost me, especially since it also gained me my freedom from Bart, but in some ways, it had felt like losing Rhonda again. Those shared stories and memories were gone, and it had hurt.

But unlike Bart, my children came first, and I’d sacrifice anything or anyone for them.

Chapter Twenty-One

KENNY

Roland was the perfect host. He ordered more than enough food, chatted with everyone, and made them feel welcome. He kept me by his side, which was nice since I didn’t know most of the boys’ Daddies as well as I knew their partners. I didn’t hate how cherished it made me feel, either.

Everyone took a turn fawning over Indie, which had Roland in proud-papa mode, and I adored that about him. Once everyone was finished eating, groups spread out throughout the house, conversing and laughing. It was fun, and I was so damn glad that I’d been part of this special day.

I tuned back into the conversation from where I was sitting next to Roland when Indie said, “Next challenge to overcome is Rolly’s aversion to starting his own business. He was born to be a handyman.”

“Okay,” Roland said casually.

Indie’s eyes grew comically wide. “Excuse me.”

“I decided that I’m going to make preparations to quit my job and start my own handyman business.” He shrugged nonchalantly, but his lips twitched as he held in a laugh.

Indie squealed at Roland’s announcement, pumping his fist into the air. “I knew I'd be able to talk you into it.”

Roland chuckled. “I’m not so sure that you talked me into it as much as you led by example. You were so freaking brave in front of all those people tonight, knowing that many of them might be acquaintances of your father’s and heard his trash talk, but you did it anyway. I’ve needed to make some kind of change with my career for a long time, but I never even considered doing something I’d enjoy. Not until you decided that you were going to speak tonight. I’ve been thinking about it since Thursday night, and watching you up there sealed the deal.”

Indie blinked at Roland, then turned around and buried his face in Cameron’s chest for the tenth time tonight. Poor guy was an emotional mess—but in a good way.

I leaned into him. “I’m so proud of you, Daddy. I think it’ll be fantastic.”

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