“No, you weren’t.” He wished he were wearing his cut; his club’s colors resting on his back would have helped him feel a little calmer, instead of wanting to give in to the raging anger lighting up his veins. “And I’m done listening to you treat him like shit.”
“Whoa—” someone across the room started to say, but Rooster ignored them, talking right over the affronted voice.
“Since the moment we arrived—if you’ve even bothered to speak to him—you’ve made nasty comments about things he likes, talked down to him about his job, or made rude remarks about what he was eating.” He cast his eyes around the room, not surprised when most of them looked away, some with bright red faces. “I didn’t say anything because he asked me not to, but we’re done. Until I’m sure he will be treated with the kindness and respect he deserves, we won’t be back.”
“Now, Grayson,” Mr. Moore began, trying to push to his feet but struggling because of how he was wedged in next to two of his grandkids, who were staring at Rooster with shocked eyes.
“None of you deserve him,” he spat, not bothering to wait to see what Emmett’s father would say to try and defend his other children and himself. He headed out of the room, finding Emmett by the front door already wearing his own jacket and Rooster’s over his arm. His head was down, his mom speaking to him in a low voice, but Emmett was just shaking his head. When he saw Rooster approaching, he gave him a weak smile and held out his coat. “Thank you, baby.”
Emmett blushed at receiving the endearment in front of his mom, but his smile turned more real. Rooster shrugged into his jacket and looked at Mrs. Moore, her hands wringing in front of her in an achingly familiar way. He just wished she were upseton Emmett’s behalf, but he knew her, and she was embarrassed over him and Emmett making a scene.
She was fucking lucky his little boy had made him promise not to do exactly that, or he’d have really ripped into these jackasses the second one of his sisters asked if Emmett was sure he wanted a second roll at dinner.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moore. Thank you for dinner, but we won’t be coming back anytime soon.”
Her mouth dropped open in shock. “I know you’re upset, Grayson, but you can’t just keep Emmett away from his family over a silly comment. Erik didn’t mean anything by it.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Emmett’s shoulders sag in defeat, chin dropping to his chest. Rooster reached over and grabbed one of his hands, threading their fingers together and giving him a tight squeeze. “With all due respect, ma’am, he absolutely fucking did.”
She gasped at his language, and Emmett slapped a hand over his mouth to stifle what sounded like a hysterical giggle.
“And because I actually love your son, I can and will keep him away from this family as long as I feel you are toxic to his mental and emotional well-being.” Emmett’s fingers twitched in his hold at the L-word, but Rooster just kept going, wanting to say everything he had to say so they could get the fuck out of there and go home. “Until this family can do better, my family and I will step in and treat him how he deserves.”
She looked back and forth between them, mouth moving soundlessly.
“Goodbye, Mrs. Moore,” he said, giving Emmett’s hand a small squeeze.
“Bye, Mom. Tell Dad I said bye too, please.”
Still looking like someone had hit her in the face with a shovel, she nodded loosely and stepped back, giving them enough space to open the front door. She didn’t stop them as they left, quietly closing the door behind them, even though Rooster was still pissed and would have preferred to slam it himself.
He got Emmett settled into the passenger seat, absently buckling for him and asking if he needed his hat before moving around to the driver’s side and getting in. Once he got them going, Emmett reached over and lightly set his hand on Rooster’s shoulder. He expected him to say something, maybe even tell Rooster he’d overstepped and Emmett would go back to his parents’ without him next time.
But he didn’t say anything, just slid his hand a little farther up and tucked some hair behind Rooster’s ear, petted the side of his face, then rested his palm back on his shoulder. They were almost home before Emmett said anything.
“I love you too, Daddy.”
Sucking in a shaky breath, Rooster pulled over in front of a random house three streets from home and threw the car in park. Emmett was already moving, unbuckling himself, so as soon as they were stopped, Rooster pulled him into a hug over the console, burying his face in his warm neck. His hands were fucking shaking, so he held his little boy tighter.
“Don’t ever make me do that again,” he finally said, not lifting his head.
“Go to my parents’? Honestly, I don’t think we’ll be invited back anytime soon.”
He grunted. “No. Don’t ever make me sit there and listen to people be mean to you without saying anything. I won’t do it, Emmett. I can’t.”
Emmett’s arms tightened around him. “I won’t. I’m sorry.”
Some of the tension eased out of him at the fast, easy response. “Good.” He took a few deep breaths, pulling his boy’s sweet scent deep into his lungs, then sat up so he could look into his face. “I really do love you.”
Eyes glassy, Emmett licked his lips and nodded. “I know. I think I’ve been in love with you since you brought me pancakes and put whipped cream on them, even though you didn’t approve.”
Rooster huffed. “You earned whipped cream tonight, baby. Let’s get home and make cocoa, then you can open all your gifts. Seeing how much you like what I got you will make up for how awful your family was.”
Grinning, Emmett sat back against his seat. “Well, if that’s what will make you happy, Daddy, I guess we can do that.”
“Sassy boy,” he said, waiting until he was buckled in again before easing back onto the road.
“You love it.”
