“And where’s your dad now? Does he know where you are?”
“He’s still in Lufkin, and he has no idea where I am. Jake says he keeps tabs on him and reported him for not paying his taxes, so the IRS is keeping him pretty busy at the moment.”
I grin. “It is rather helpful to have the Guardians in your back pocket. Rafi told me that he and Park were almost kidnapped, but the guys were there in minutes and made quick work of those assholes.”
Sam’s smile is big and infectious. “I heard something about that. It’s so weird to know I’ve got a whole team of people who would rush to my defense if my father tried anything. It’s the first time in my whole life that I know I’m safe from him.”
“I bet that’s a good feeling,” I say.
He nods, kinda laughing to himself, like maybe it’s not completely real for him. “I’m also hopeful…about the future,” he says, almost like a question. Despite the uncertainties, his eyes are bright with anticipation as he talks about finishing his MBA.
"I’ll be able to create online content and monetize it the way I've always wanted to."
"What was stopping you before?"
He laughs, swatting at my shoulder. “Haven’t you been paying attention? I told you—my dad would find me, and if he didn't kill me, he’d certainly make me pay."
I have to admit, some of the details didn’t stick. “I’m sorry, dude. I’m sure you did say it, but my brain is fried.”
He shrugs, smiling sweetly. “It’s okay. It took me a few days before I could even process what I’d been through. I just want to get back to a point where I can do what I love again.”
I smile at his genuine sweetness and open up for another hug. He stutters forward, then hesitates, and finally awkwardly falls into my arms. He stays for a while, though, before he pulls back.
Rubbing his arms, he bites his lip before looking me in the eye. “Thanks. Kinda realized I didn’t get a lot of hugs when I was growing up. My father thought it would turn me gay.”
“Oops,” I say, smiling wryly.
He snorts, thankfully. “Yeah.Oops.”
We both laugh, and I reach out, gripping his arm. “Hey, I’m sorry your dad was like that. I’m sorry he’s still such a tool. But you’re right. Youarewell-protected here and he’d be wise to stay away.”
Sam nods. We sit in silence for a moment, then a thought crosses his face, and he turns to me, excited but hesitant.
“What?”
"Can I show you what I’ve been working on for my setup?"
Not sure why he wants my opinion on something like that, but I want to be supportive.
"Of course. Lead the way."
I assume he’s going to lead me down the hallway to his room, but instead I find myself following him outside into the chilly, late-afternoon sunshine. We walk past the small carport and he pauses, staring off into the distance.
“What’s up?” I ask, following his line of sight to a man on a horse. “Who’s that?”
He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small set of binoculars, looking through them with great interest. “Oh…just the rancher’s smoking-hot son, the future father of my children.”
I snatch the binoculars away from him and focus in on the rider. It’s hard to tell from this distance, but there’s no mistaking the square jaw and strong build. He looks like he’s shorter than Thane, though his chest is nearly as broad. “Damn, he’s a snack.”
Sam snatches the binoculars back, his voice going dreamy as he peers through the lenses again. “Nah. He’s the whole fuckin’ meal. So delectable.”
“Any idea if he’s somewhere on the rainbow?”
Lifting a shoulder, he says, “Don’t know, don’t care. Stop trying to ruin my dreams.”
I bust out laughing and follow him into the standalone building sitting off to the side past the carport.
“Oh, wow, I didn’t realize this was a gym.” I say, admiring the new equipment, most of it pushed to one side. The large, open room is split in two with beautifully painted room dividers, beyond which is a bed.
