Page 31 of Soothe Me, Daddy
“I find it’s always more interesting and amusing when you’re sober.” Isaac grinned. “And there are fewer consequences, too.”
“True that.”
“Did you have a good time?” Henley had appeared to enjoy himself, but he wanted to be certain. He needed to know if drinking was a game-changer for Henley or not.
“It was great,” he said enthusiastically. “I love that bar. It’s one of my regulars when I go out with my sisters. We also go to that Chinese place that they talked about. The food there is delicious. Do you think we could maybe get something to eat when we get home?”
Henley’s eyes grew round as he realised what he’d said, and he quickly glanced in the back seat.
Isaac grinned. “I think you’re okay. They look like they’re asleep.”
“God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think. I just spewed.”
“Yes, we don’t want spewing of any kind in my car, thanks,” Isaac replied, straight-faced.
Henley was quiet for a moment before snickering quietly. “I can’t guarantee that,” he sputtered.
“Let’s hope they sleep the whole journey home.”
“If they do, be ready to open the door quickly when we stop.”
“Why?” Isaac asked, brows drawn low.
“Because the motion of the car coming to a stop is more likely to cause sickness than anything else. Their brain still thinks they’re moving even though they aren’t. Mixed brain signals usually mean vomiting.”
“Who taught you that?”
“Dad and Pops. They taught us how to look after each other and look out for symptoms of all manners of things. It helped on more than one occasion.” He chuckled.
“Full of surprises,” Isaac muttered.
They dropped Sierra off first, and as Henley predicted, she vomited within seconds of the car stopping. Luckily, Isaac had listened to Henley and jumped out, opening the car door immediately. And also, luckily, the vomit landed on the path, not in his car. Isaac deposited Sierra into the loving arms of her husband and bid goodnight.
Frankie lived several streets away from Sierra, so it didn’t take long for her to be home and left with her waiting girlfriend. Isaac saw Henley’s eyebrows rise, but he said nothing until they were in the car.
After they had been driving a few minutes, Henley said, “Why didn’t you tell me Frankie was a transwoman?”
Isaac didn’t miss a beat. “It’s not my place to say. It’s up to Frankie who she trusts with her information. You should be honoured that she gave that much of herself to you.”
“Oh, I am! Don’t get me wrong. I meant…”
He trailed off, and Isaac allowed him time to think through what he was going to say.
“Yeah, you’re right. I shouldn’t have assumed you’d spill all the beans about everyone. I wouldn’t want people talking about me behind my back, so why should I expect you to tell me those things?” He ducked his head. “Sorry, Daddy.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I could see you were thinking about why you had made the assumption, and you came to the right conclusion. I can’t ask for more than that from you.” Isaac laid his hand on Henley’s thigh and squeezed. “I’m proud of you.”
Henley grinned as Isaac knew he would and concentrated on driving. Not to Henley’s home, though. When Isaac parked the car in the designated parking area for the apartment building, Henley’s forehead was furrowed as he inspected his surroundings.
“Where are we?”
“My place.”
Henley’s head whipped around to Isaac. “Seriously?” he asked with a grin.
Isaac nodded, barely containing his own smile as Henley’s exuberance began to shine through.
Clapping his hands together, Henley exited the car, uncaring of the brisk breeze, and danced around the car to Isaac. “I can’t wait to see it.”
