Page 23 of Cedarwood Manny

“I know. They hate everyone who isn’t like them,” Adrien said. “Which goes against the whole inclusion thing.”

“I need to get Kyle from school, but I’m hesitant to leave. I don’t want anything to happen to the house or to us when we come home,” Nathan said. “It’s silly. They wouldn’t strike in the middle of the day, but still. How do I do this?”

“Very carefully,” Adrien said. He snorted. “But I know. It’s scary. They can be pushy and have gotten violent. There’s nothing wrong with being gay or bi or whatever. We’re living our lives—don’t forget that. We’re not doing anything immoral or illegal.” He sighed. “If they strike, harass, assault or anything else, we have a friend in the sheriff’s department.”

“We do?”We?He liked the way Adrien spoke. They were in this together. “Good to know.” His heartrate returned to a normal level. “Thanks, Adrien.”

“Anytime,” Adrien said. “Just keep an even keel and an eye on Kyle as well as your surroundings. This will blow over, but there is a chance it’ll get crazy before it settles down. I’ll be home at six and we’ll come up with a plan of attack for next time.”

“You think there will be a next time?”Jesus.

“I’m sure. They’re persistent,” Adrien said. “We’re a team. I’ve got you and they can’t do shit without my getting in the way.”

“Thanks.” He paused. “Adrien?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re more fatherly than you think.” His heart swelled with pride. He’d helped Adrien start to come into his own. Adrien would need help for years still, but he could do this parenting thing.

“I’ve got a great teacher. I’m getting better because you’re guiding me,” Adrien said. “Without you, I’d still be sinking.”

He wasn’t so sure about that.

“I’ll see you in a few hours,” Adrien said. “Thanks for calling me. I’d rather know than not. Just know it’ll be okay.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you.” Nathan waited for Adrien to hang up before he put his phone down. He exhaled. Cedarwood might be a nice place to live, but there were some real characters in town. At least he had Adrien on his side. Excitement raced through his veins. He’d thought the connection was strong, but now he knew it ran deep, too. He was part of the family, not just an employee. He could handle this.

He checked the clock. Kyle would be done in half an hour. He might as well head up to the school.Better to be early than late.He set the house alarm, grabbed his keys and wallet, then tucked his phone into his pocket and left. He did a quick scan of the house before he backed down the driveway. Everything appeared fine, but he’d be on the lookout for anything strange.

He refused to let down his guard. He had a family to protect and he wouldn’t quit for anything.

* * * *

Adrien set the phone in the cradle and sank onto his chair. He’d known this day would come. The Coalition might have gone silent for a while, but not forever. They were still functioning and wouldn’t quit until something big happened. He’d received plenty of literature from the group in his mail and at the office, but they’d never shown up in person at his home. They’d grown bolder.

He tapped his fingers on the desktop. He’d protect Kyle and Nathan no matter what. No one fucked with his family. But he needed help from someone who knew what the hell to expect from them.

He’d seen information on the single parent support group and considered calling a dozen times, but he’d chickened out. The last he remembered, his friend Farin was listed as a contact. He swiped through his schedule listing for the next hour. Nothing. “Mary?” He strode out to the billing area of the office. “Hey, Mary?”

She swiveled around in her seat. “Yes? Are you finally taking your lunch? You go home in two hours—if I don’t have to force you out.”

“How many more appointments do I have? Just the one, right?”

“Yes, at five. Take your lunch or I’ll remove you from the office.” She waggled her finger at him. “I’m serious. You’re going to make yourself sick if you don’t eat. Besides, you deserve the break. Michael can handle any emergencies. He owes you.” She waved at him. “Go.”

“I will.” He shrugged out of his lab coat. “I need to run an errand. I’ll be back by the time that appointment arrives.”

“Jill can handle it since it’s just a cleaning and when it’s time for the exam, Michael can do it if you’re not back in time.” She waved again. “Go. I know you’ll be back before you should.”

“Thanks.” He formed a plan as he gathered his phone, keys and wallet. The bookstore was only three blocks down the street—easily within walking distance. “I’ll be right back.” He left the office before Mary could chew him out again.

He strode down the sidewalk and hurried. He’d never felt unsafe in Cedarwood, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be mindful of his surroundings. If anyone knew what to do when handling problems with the Coalition, it was Farin and his brother Colin. They’d dealt with crap from the group plenty of times and they’d fought off even more problems, yet kept their heads held high. A few cars were on the street and birds chirped in the trees. Other than the threat from the Coalition, the day had been pleasant. He made his way into the bookstore and right up to the front desk. He spotted Farin.

“Hi.” Farin grinned. “You’ve been cut loose. What happened? Did Michael finally make you leave or did that sexy manny convince you to come home faster?” He crinkled his nose. “If the manny wanted you to be home, you wouldn’t be here.” He stared at Adrien. “What’s the deal?”

Sexy? Others know Nathan’s attractive? Well, shit.He’d wanted that to be his secret.Oh well.He focused on his friend. Why did Farin care if he’d hooked up with Nathan? Because Farin was married and happy—and wanted everyone else to be, too. “I need to talk to you.”

“Sure. If you need the talk, though, it’s a little late. You’ve been married, so you know what to do with a handsome man.” Farin rounded the counter. “Guys, I’ll be in the office. Don’t bother me unless the store is on fire.”

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