Page 16 of Cedarwood Manny

“Bye, Nate.” Rhett stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Later.”

“Yep.” He climbed behind the wheel of his car. After he waved, he backed out of the parking spot and drove off. Part of his life was over—Rhett couldn’t drop by at a moment’s notice. There was no time for a one-night stand and now Nathan couldn’t loaf around all afternoon. Did he mind that change? No. He had a whole new one starting—being the caregiver he knew he could be with the family he’d grown to appreciate. This life was new, but oh, so sweet.

* * * *

Adrien waited on the couch. Ever since Nathan had come back to the house and moved his things in, Adrien had wanted to crawl out of his skin. He preferred to let Nathan and Kyle sort out their schedule and feel each other out. Once he knew Kyle trusted Nathan, he could relax.

That didn’t help the desire within Adrien to touch Nathan. He’d almost kissed him. Almost. He hadn’t lost his head this much since Gerry. Nathan was his manny, not a potential boyfriend.

He glanced over at Nathan as he and Kyle entered the family room. Nathan was carrying a bowl of popcorn and Kyle was waving a movie case. Adrien fidgeted in his seat. He wasn’t sure what to do or think. He hadn’t watched movies with his son—that was Kelsi’s job.

“Are you ready?” Kyle danced in front of the television. “Nate made popcorn so we can watch cartoons.” He opened the box, but the DVD popped free. It landed on the floor.

“Kyle.” Adrien leaned forward. “Is that how you handle your things?”

“It’s okay.” Nathan nodded. “Pick it up. Show me how to put the DVD in the player.” He knelt next to Kyle. “Accidents happen.”

Adrien recoiled. Why hadn’t he thought to use a tender touch with his son? Because he could hear his mother’s voice in his head.‘We don’t drop things. We don’t throw things. Don’t act up. You’re a child, but you can’t act that way.’Christ.He was imprinting his upbringing on his son…again.

Kyle turned on the television, then the DVD player. “See, Dad? I know how to do this.” He placed the DVD in the open tray. “Now…the machine will work and play the cartoons.”

“Good job.” Adrien sat on the opposite end of the sofa. “Bring the remote here.”

Kyle cuddled between them. He bobbed his feet and wiggled as he tapped the buttons on the remote. “Did I do good, Daddy?”

Adrien fought the urge to scoot away and instead draped his arm around Kyle. “You did.”

Kyle continued to wiggle and impressed Adrien. The entire time the cartoons played, Kyle was in motion. He had no idea how Kyle managed to wriggle that much. Adrien stole a glance at Nathan. He stared at his manny’s lips. He’d come so close to kissing those lips. Would he taste good? Would the dusting of hairs on Nathan’s cheeks abrade his skin? Would Nathan moan? He flexed his hand and brushed Nathan’s shoulder.

Nathan winked.

At me?Adrien froze.Who else would Nathan be winking at?He tensed and forced his attention to the television. A dull ache formed behind his eyes. Spending time with Kyle wasn’t difficult, but being this close to Nathan would drive him crazy.

Once the cartoons finished, Kyle turned the television off. “Like that?” He grinned. “I like the cat. He’s silly.”

“He is.” Adrien shifted in his seat. “It’s about time for bed.”

“Aw…Daddy.” Kyle went limp. “I want to stay up.”

“It’s almost eight,” Adrien said. “You know the rules. Seven-thirty on preschool days and eight on the rest of the nights.”

“But Nate said I could stay up.” Kyle folded his arms. “Till nine.”

“Whoa, buddy, I didn’t say that.” Nathan put the bowl on the coffee table. “You have a schedule and it’s eight. Time for bed. Let’s go.”

Kyle slithered off the couch and landed on the floor. He groaned. “I don’t want to go to bed.”

Adrien’s headache increased. “Kyle.”

His son sat up and his eyes widened. “Yes, Daddy.” He left the floor. “Come on, Nate.”

Nathan picked up the popcorn bowl, then left the couch. “I believe it’s time to brush teeth and wash your face, then into your pjs. Yes?”

“Yeah…” Kyle stomped out of the room with Nathan in tow.

Adrien blew out a breath and sagged on the couch. Part of him understood why Gerry had wanted out—being a parent was hard. If he had to listen to Kyle complain and whine all day, he’d lose his patience.How does Nathan keep his?But the rest of him didn’t see why Gerry would want to leave the situation—except Gerry had claimed he wasn’t the bio dad and therefore he had no connection to Kyle. Maybe the biological connection was what kept Adrien from losing his mind. He’d created this child and couldn’t let him down.

“Are you still here?” Nathan returned to the family room. “How long have you been staring at the blank television?”

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