Page 26 of Soothe Me, Daddy
Maybe he just needed Henley.
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Chapter 9
Henley
“Yes, Dad. I promise I’m fine. This week has been hectic, so I’m a little worn out. I’ll be there for lunch tomorrow.” Henley switched the phone to his other ear.
“You seem to be enjoying the work.”
Nodding, though his dad couldn’t see him, Henley answered, “Yes, I do. I get to meet some awesome people from all over the country. It’s fantastic.” He cut his gaze towards Isaac, seeing him smiling as he drank his coffee and studied his phone. Henley wasn’t sure if he was smiling because of Henley’s words or what he was looking at.
“Sounds like the perfect job for your personality, son.” His dad chuckled, and Henley joined in.
Staring at Isaac, Henley couldn’t withhold his words. “I’ve met someone, too.”
Isaac’s gaze flicked to his, eyebrows raised.
“You have? That’s great news! When can we meet him?”
“It’s new, so give me a few more weeks before you send in the cavalry.” He grinned.
“What’s he like? Let me know something about him before I meet him, at least.” His dad stopped to cough before coming back on. “I may need to research things if he’s interested in stuff I’m not.”
Henley shook his head, snorting. “You’ll be fine. He’s amazing, Dad. He takes care of me. Keeps me in line. Reminds me to eat.” He snickered.
“He’s a keeper if he can get you to eat three meals a day.” His dad sighed. “Even when you were younger, you were a nightmare to get to eat. In the end, we figured you’d eat when you were hungry, or when it was dinner time and the family sat down. At least you were eating one meal.”
“I ate more than one meal.” Henley paused, furrowing his brow. “Most of the time,” he added.
“Well, make sure you bring him home when you’re ready to. You know we’ll greet him with open arms so long as he’s looking after you.”
“He is. Very much so.”
Isaac’s gaze had not left Henley’s the whole time he’d been talking about him, but he raised his eyebrows again with that last remark. Henley smirked. He’d have to wonder about that. Henley heard Pops’ voice in the background, and his dad called back.
“Right, I’m going to have to go, son. Remember what I said. Whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Dad. Say hi, bye and love you to Pops for me.”
“Will do. Take care. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Dad.”
Henley cancelled the call and shifted down on the sofa, jingling all the way, until he covered the entire area. Isaac was sitting in the armchair across from him, which was too far away as far as Henley was concerned. He played with his bangles, spinning them around and around.
“Is everyone well?” Isaac asked, putting his phone on the arm of the chair and tipping his mug up to drain his coffee.
“Yeah. Dad has a cold, which has given him an awful cough, but he’s alright. Pops is as lively as ever, so I’m told.”
“Talking of eating, it’s lunchtime.” Isaac stood, tucking his phone into his jeans pocket and carrying his cup as he ventured into the kitchen.
Henley sat upright, ready to follow. Isaac had not brought up the punishment Henley would have to do, but he was not going to remind him. He didn’t think Isaac had forgotten. Maybe he was biding his time.
“Henley? Please come into the kitchen.”
Standing, he threaded his fingers through his untamed hair as he followed the instruction.
