Page 43 of Chance's Choice
In a practiced move, I tug his pajamas and training pants down before I step up behind him with my front pressed to his back. He reaches distractedly for his penis and I hold my hand over his, helping him aim properly over the toilet. He does his thing, and I help him give himself a couple of quick shakes before he grabs a couple of squares of toilet paper and dabs himself completely dry. Then I praise him while he flushes the toilet and I help tug his underwear and pajama bottoms back up.
Kade hums a little song as we wash our hands together at the sink, with me taking up the same position as I had at the toilet, soaping, lathering and washing both our hands under lukewarm water from the faucet. He giggles when I shuffle our bodies, still pressed together, over to grab the hand towel so we can dry off our hands.
Business done, I usher him back towards the bedroom, climbing in beside him as his eyelids droop again.
“I love you, Daddy,” he murmurs sleepily, snuggling deeper into my embrace. “I’m never letting you go again.”
I didn’t need to hear that last declaration because, honestly, his actions today -choosing me over the life he’s known for the past twenty years- spoke more about his intentions than words ever could, but I’m suffused with warmth and affection anyway.
I kiss the top of his head. “I love you, too, baby,” I reassure him, feeling myself choke up with emotion. It’s not the first time we’ve shared these words, but today it feels new and special all over again. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
I cuddle him to sleep but, once he’s out, I get out of bed again, go to the bathroom myself, and then head back out into the living room in search of my phone.
Regardless of what Kade said, I’m calling Ted for advice.
Chapter Twenty – Kade
Chance is frustrated when Ted tells him what I knew all along: there’s nothing we can do about the pictures Don has of us. I didn’t get a great look at them, but they appear to have been taken from the public space of the forestry behind Chance’s home, which means it’s not illegal. Even if the photographer had to use a drone or climb a tree to get a line of sight into Chance’s backyard.
Currently, Ted is sitting at my dining table, sipping at a mug of coffee. Chance called him last night while I was asleep, and it’s a testament to how close their friendship circle is that Ted rearranged his morning meetings to talk to us.
“But isn’t there, like, an expectation of privacy or something like that?” Chance argues with him.
Ted shakes his head, the gray streaks at his temples glinting silver with the sunlight pouring into my apartment. “Not in a backyard. You have a right to assume privacy in spaces like your bedroom or bathroom, but an outdoor space -especially one backing on to public land- isn’t likely to be considered private.”
Chance scowls and folds his arms across his chest. “Even when I have fences that are six feet high and a border of even taller trees besides that?”
Ted shifts his head from side to side, the physical equivalent of umming and aahing. “Look, this isn’t my specialty, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I guess you couldpotentiallyargue that you had an expectation of privacy, and it does look bad for your father if the photos were taken via drone or from an angle not easily achieved by standing in the forestry, but I wouldn’t bet on it working out in your favor. Besides, we’d have to be able to prove the photos exist, and that he intends on using them for whatever nefarious purposes suit him.”
My Daddy huffs and waves one of his hands in my direction. “What about firing Kade because he wouldn’t dump me?Thathas to be something we can fight, right?”
“But I don’t want to,” I speak up before Ted can answer, and they both turn to look at me. I sigh and reach for Chance’s hand. “Even if I did take legal action and win, do you honestly think he wouldn’t retaliate by sending those photos to your boss? Or posting them online? Orsomething? They’re insurance for him right now. Yes,” I continue, holding up a hand to stop Chance from arguing, “it sucks. Yes, it means he wins. But I’d rather that than the alternative where those photos ruin both our lives and reputations.”
Ted smiles at me. It’s a gentle, understanding expression, laced with sympathy. “Unfortunately,” he says slowly, “I agree with you. The safest bet is to walk away right now.”
I startle as Chance slams a fist onto the table, making the mugs rattle on the glass surface. “Damn it,” he seethes, “I want that asshole to pay.”
“I know,” Ted reaches over and pats his shoulder consolingly. “My parents were dicks, too. But sometimesnotgiving them the reaction that they’re trying to provoke is even more of a punishment. Think of how frustrated he’ll feel when you guys ignore this and move on with your lives.”
“And what if he decides to push us further then? He’s got those photos, he can-”
“Call his bluff, then,” Ted leans back and folds his arms, shrugging as though it’s simple. “You really think he wants to be connected to the kink he’s shaming you for? After all, estranged or not, you’re his son, and Kade was one of his top employees. If he does send those photos out to your bosses or whatever, he’s still associated with you. Would he risk that?”
I watch as my Daddy thinks that over. “Huh,” he muses, a wry smirk twisting the corners of his lips. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
Ted nods. “I still don’t think it would be worth pushing the issue, though. He’d be more likely to do it out of spite if you sued him rather than just to get your attention.”
There’s a moment of silence before Chance exhales heavily. “Fine. But I want it on record that I’d prefer it if the old man suffered.”
“You say the sweetest things,” I tease him, and he laughs.
* * *
I spend the rest of my week applying for new jobs. It’s stressful but oddly liberating. Even though I worked hard to climb the corporate ladder at Don’s company, I hadn’t had to work to get my foot in the door. Now, as I write cover letter after cover letter, I realize that this is the first time I’ve really had to consider what I want and what I can offer a company.
I know I’m unlikely to find another executive role and, while I’ll miss the income and perks, I’m okay with that for the time being. I can always work my way back up to it again, assuming I land a position in a large enough corporation. Otherwise, I decide that I’d like to work in a role based in marketing and advertising. That’s where I thrive. I don’t mind the merchandising and operational tasks that came with the job I’ve just left, but they’re not where my interests lie. So it won’t be the end of the world if I have to shift gears a little.
I have plenty of savings, courtesy of never allowing myself to truly indulge my successes, and the mortgage on my apartment is low, given that my downpayment was substantial. Despite my initial hesitance to move back to this city, I’m glad that I took the step to buy my place when I did, rather than to lease an apartment as a temporary measure. No matter what happens with my career, I’m not concerned that I’ll end up homeless, but Daddy did suggest that I could move in with him if things became dire, which was sweet. Not necessary, but sweet.
