Page 35 of Forbidden Lust

“You know, don’t you?”

“As of Saturday.”

“Oh.”

“Exactly. You better come in. He’s in the kitchen.”

“Where are the girls?”

“Both at friends’. It’ll just be the three of us.”

Daniel nodded and walked into the house. He’d always felt welcomed and part of the family, but stepping over the threshold, he felt like a stranger. He followed Fran into their open-plan kitchen, diner, and family room. Gavin was tossing a salad.

“Who was it, love?”

“Me,” said Daniel.

Gavin’s head snapped up, and his eyes narrowed. Oh, his friend was pissed off, big time.

“You’ve got a fucking nerve coming here.”

“I thought we should talk and not let things linger.”

“Unless you’re here to tell me you’re going to stop fucking my son, you can get out.”

Daniel knew his best friend had a temper, but he’d never had it aimed at him before. He needed to stay calm, and not inflame things. They could talk about this as rational adults.

“He’s twenty years younger than you. What the fuck are you thinking? Taking advantage of a young kid like that?”

“Excuse me?” he snapped, unable to hold back.

“Did I upset you? There has to be some reason you’d do this?”

“Are you for real? You think this is about you?”

“Of course it is. You’ve always been jealous of my success.”

“Woah. First, don’t flatter yourself. Second, this is about me and Josh. You know, the son you told no one about. The son who you’ve ignored his entire life whilst he’s struggled financially, and you had all this success you’re so proud of.”

“What you –”

“Not done yet. The son whose parents died, including the man who raised him as his own, and what did you do at the funeral? Tell him to get fucked when he asked for a bit of financial help to pay for it.”

“Gavin?” said Fran.

“Still talking,” snapped Daniel. “Then you bribed him to give up his job by offering him money to quit working for Oscar Montgomery, because your fucking ego is more important than his happiness. And when he quits his job, you tell him ‘deal’s off’ because you don’t want him stealing your friend from you. You’re acting like a pathetic child.”

“Boys! Stop this, now!” shouted Fran.

Fran didn’t raise her voice very often, so when she did, you listened.

“I think there are some things you may have left out of your little confession this weekend, Gavin. And you. I get youlove this man, but try to put yourself in Gavin’s shoes. He was completely blindsided on Friday night. As soon as things got serious, you should have spoken to him. For God’s sake, you two are like brothers.”

“You love him?” asked Gavin, his voice softer.

“Yes. I do,” said Daniel, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice.

“But after he who shall not be named...”

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