“Are you two done?” Trevor asked.
“Yes. Our lesson today was intense but highly educational. Your brother is a brilliant young man.”He sounded as though Trevor should be proud or something.
Robert turned to Daniel. “Would you like a steak for dinner?”
“Yes, sir.”
Trevor held back a smirk. Robert could have offered Daniel to eat shit, and he would have gotten the same monotonic response.
“Good, I’ll let your mom know.”
“What was it this time?” Trevor asked once Robert left.
“Social Contract Theory. Thomas Hobbes.”
“Thrilling. Come on, let’s unwind.” He wrapped his arm around Daniel’s shoulders and led him up to his room, although it was practicallytheirroom by now.
They stepped out onto the wide balcony. The sun was setting in the distance, covering the wide valley in a golden blanket. Trevor sat down on a plastic chaise lounge, while Daniel stalled.
“That bad, huh? Show me the damage.” Trevor reached for his stash underneath the small table.
Daniel turned around and pulled down his pants, revealing his lovely, bruised ass.
“Could have been worse.” Trevor started to roll a joint, his fingers moving on their own by now.
Daniel pulled up his pants. “I got the dates wrong.”
“Yeah, it’s always the damn dates. Who even gives a shit? Try to sit.”
He did, grimacing but managing.
“Here.” Trevor handed the lit joint to Daniel, who took it and drew in a lungful.
“Take it slow, it’s strong.”
Daniel blew out smoke and leaned his head back, his features softening under the glow of the setting sun. With his eyes closed, he handed the joint back to Trevor, who took it and inhaled. He used to get high on much plainer weed, but his body now demanded a higher quality.
Daniel rested his bare feet on the table, the metal tracker firmly wrapped around his right ankle, connected to the house’s security system. Although an extreme precaution, they had little choice after he had twice tried to escape. He even called the police once, but the sheriff was a good family friend, and Daniel had gotten into serious shit for that.
Things were more stable these days, largely thanks to Trevor’s calculated efforts. He was tough when he needed to be and compassionate when Daniel hovered over the breaking point. Even with the tracker on, Trevor didn’t trust Daniel's submission; fire still burned in those blue eyes.
“You remember the party tomorrow?”
“Yes.” Daniel plucked the joint from Trevor’s fingers and took a drag.
“I’ll get you ready.”
Daniel made a face. “You make it sound like you’redoing me a favor.”
“Aren’t I? I always make you enjoy it.”
“I don’twantto enjoy it.”
Trevor shrugged. “Then don’t. It’s your body.”
“Is it?”
Good point.
