Page 51 of Cedarwood Manny

“Adrien.”

“I’m right here.”

“I need a moment.”

Nathan scooted out of the way, then out of bed. Confusion hit hard. Adrien thought he’d done right by Nathan. Now he wasn’t so sure. “Nathan?”

“Just…” Nathan raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what to think.”

He covered himself with the sheet. Having an argument in the nude wasn’t his idea of fun. “Maybe tell me you love me, too and you want to stay.” Unless it wasn’t the truth. “You came home from Rhett’s and made love to me. Was that just for sex? Did I miss something? Because it felt like more than just fornication.”

Nathan donned his jeans and rested his hands on his hips. “Everything is spiraling.”

“How?” He couldn’t fix what he didn’t understand.

“I care about you and Kyle. I love being his manny and I love being with you. I’m happy,” Nathan said. “But it’s fast.”

“It has been.”

“Then there’s Rhett.”

His stomach churned. He wasn’t sure what to think.

“He wanted to pull us apart. The death threat wasn’t real—just him being dramatic and getting in the way.” Nathan shrugged. “It worked. I rushed to him.”

“You did, but I encouraged it. Now you’re back here.” He reclined against the headboard and crossed his ankles. “I’m not seeing a problem.”

“I’ve never done this. I’ve never been fired. Never had any dream job handed to me. Never been in love,” Nathan whispered. “Ever.”

He’d read too much into the relationship. He wanted more than Nathan could give. Because of the connection to Kyle and the way they’d become a family, he’d thought he and Nathan were closer than reality admitted.

“Adrien?”

Nathan deserved a response, but he wasn’t sure how to be tactful. “Is this crap?” he asked. “I fell for you. I knew what I was doing. I considered my son’s feelings and yours, too. My heart is in your hands. If you don’t think you can do this, then fine, but say so. I can’t be with someone who isn’t sure. I thought I couldn’t survive another split, but I can. I love you and I want you here, but I won’t stand in your way. I’ll fight for you and go to the wall for you with the training center. I started this and I’ll make sure you don’t pay for what we’ve done. You’ll have a job.”

Nathan sank onto the bed and covered his face with his hands.

“I’ll go.” Adrien left his spot on the mattress. He took the sheet with him and ducked out of the bedroom. Once in the hallway, he paused.Fuck.He’d been tossed out of his own space again. He should’ve grabbed clothes on the way out. But he had clothes in the dryer. Maybe there’d be enough in the dryer to make an outfit.

He headed across the house to the laundry room. He didn’t fault Nathan for being gun shy, but he didn’t understand where he’d gone wrong. He donned jeans and a threadbare T-shirt. He wanted to cry, but didn’t. He had faith in Nathan and the love they shared. This wasn’t like Gerry. Nathan respected him. They were in love and Nathan cared about his son, too. If Nathan would give him a chance, they could make the relationship work. “Give me one more try,” Adrien murmured. “Just a chance.”

* * * *

Nathan stared at the empty space where Adrien had been. He wasn’t reassured by the separation. Adrien understood him when no one else did. He’d given Nathan an out with the write-up. Not just an out, but a life with him—the one Nathan wanted. Hell, he loved Nathan. Not fake love or words uttered during sex, but love. And he was fucking it up by pushing Adrien away.Why?

Because of the kid?

No.He loved Kyle and felt like a father to him.

Because of his ex-boyfriend? Because of Adrien’s ex-husband?

No.Nathan still hated Gerry and didn’t believe Gerry had ever deserved to have a partner like Adrien. Rhett mattered as a friend, but nothing more.

Then what? The potential firing?

Yes.Call him shallow, but he’d never lost a job on account of being fired. He’d never been viewed as less than competent. Then Adrien had come along.

Was this mess Adrien’s fault?No.He’d known what he was doing when he’d decided to pair up with Adrien. He’d fallen for Adrien and loved him.Then why push him away?

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