Page 66 of Wrestling with Daddy
Daddy
Thank you, boy
Someone’s earned themselves a reward
Of course Ken wouldn’t have responded to Nathan’s text with a promise to collar him the next time they saw each other. To be honest, even as infatuated as Nathan seemed to be, he probably would’ve run for the hills if it had happened.
The part of Nathan that didn’t need to stay anchored in reality could dream, though.
CHAPTER17
ken
“Not now, Plum.”
To say that Ken had been in a shitty mood for the last few weeks was an understatement. Not even Plum’s loud meows were helping get his head out of his ass.
Three weeks had passed by since his visit to Sacramento. After they’d video called that first Saturday, Ken had made plans in his head to visit the following weekend. He’d booked the same hotel, too, knowing his boy would not complain at all about the possibility of ordering a fountain of melting chocolate again.
Then he’d had to cancel that booking when his work schedule was updated to reveal he was expected in fucking Boston for the next two weeks.
A few years ago, Ken would’ve thrived on the challenge and the last minute addition. It meant he was trusted—with a big company name, too.
Right now, he saw it for the punishment it was, just as he saw how he was only a name and a face for the firm to parade around. There was no challenge, no excitement about the next city he’d visit or the next CEO or billionaire he’d wine and dine.
He’d arrived back home the day before. The—new—plan had been to talk to Nathan, convince him into visiting his hometown this time. He could have him at the apartment for the entire week while Nathan worked from there and get back home to the boy waiting for him.
It sounded too good.
Too good to be true, he came to realize when they spoke and Nathan had to inform him that his parents were visiting that week. He’d tried to make it better by reminding Ken he’d be traveling on Sunday and spending the week at the resort.
It still had Ken’s inner child growling and huffing. The fact that it made him sound likehewas the brat only infuriated him further.
A week wasn’t so long, but he didn’t know what to do to keep himself distracted anymore.
Hopefully that was where his friends came in, the ones he was driving out to meet with at Mountain Lake Resort. With the pet training underway, it was hard to meet with Lee anywhere else. The man didn’t handle the training or any of the activities directly, but not even Ash could keep him away for long periods of time once the preparations for the charity event began.
Ken climbed into his car. He hadn’t even had time to really talk to Lee about Nathan, and he’d wanted to—even when he could oh-so-easily imagine all the raised eyebrows and knowing looks and teasing Lee was going to unleash on him. Ken guessed he’d deserve it after how he’d been giving Lee those same knowing looks over the last year.
Regardless, though, Lee was the one person he talked everything through with. He was the person who knew him best and knew every detail and every reason why feeling anything for Nathan would throw him off kilter.
So close to the lake, the air was colder and more humid, but it was still sunny and the temperatures were mild. Ken guessed that would be good for the event. There had been years where they’d had a few snowstorms, and he couldn’t imagine those had been fun for the pups signing up.
Micki greeted him as soon as he walked through the big gates to the renovated space. He had visited when Lee had wanted a second opinion on the plans for the renovation it had undergone prior to last year’s events, but he couldn’t say he came by much. Still, over the past year, he’d seen Micki enough times.
Mostly Ash’s influence.
“Ken!” She finished tying up her hair in a messy bun before she walked around the desk to give him a hug. “I haven’t seen you in so long. Ash said you were in Boston?”
“Yeah, it was a long couple of weeks.” He shook his head. That was another understatement. “Please tell me Lee didn’t forget we were having lunch today.”
“When does Lee forget anything?” Micki joked. That was a fair assessment. “He and Ash are in his office. Shane walked in a bit ago, but the boss said to send you there when you arrived, so…”
“Thank you, Micki.”
The office was probably the one room he remembered how to reach without guidance, so he left Micki to her job of answering the phone and greeting guests.
He might’ve wandered a bit on his way there, too, noting the pets walking around who must’ve signed up for the month-long training. He recognized puppies carrying their hoods, but there was definitely a variety in ages and body types as well.
