“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” I grumbled. With his hand on my upper arm, Hollis guided me over to the couch.
“Have you eaten anything?” he asked.
“I got a muffin. It’s double chocolate and Brandon’s favorite.”
“How do you know?”
“The pastries were all listed by employee recommendations. Brandon’s was the double chocolate.”
“Sounds like he has great taste… just like his dad,” Hollis said.
I sat on the couch next to Patrick and slowly ate the double chocolate muffin. When Morgan got there, I didn’t bother getting up to open the door to let him in. Hollis took care of it, and Patrick and I could overhear the two of them kind of get into it. They tried to talk in hushed tones, but I could hear them pretty well.
“Why would you let him leave if you knew where he was going?”
“He didn’t say it specifically, and I wasn’t going to assume or accuse.”
“Well, you know what they say about assuming. You ended up making an ass out of you and me.”
“I didn’t send him there.”
“Brandon’s guy, James, he’s not going to tolerate this kind of crap. He’s very protective of Brandon.”
“Good. He should be. I told Chase not to push that guy.”
“But you still let him leave, even though you had a strong feeling that he was going to go to the coffee shop.”
“I let him leave because he’s not a kid anymore, Morgan.”
“Perhaps not. Though remember, it’s his relationship withhiskid that’s at stake.”
“Don’t argue because of what I did,” I hollered.
Hollis and Morgan came into the great room and sat down. The four of us were quiet until the doorbell rang.Mom and Dad. I hoped they brought their patience.
13
BRANDON
I lookedover my shoulder into our bedroom when I heard the water from the shower shut off.James was done in the shower. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
“Okay, focus,” I told myself out loud.
I had stared at my clothes in the closet at least a dozen times, and I still hadn’t decided. This was a big day. A huge day. I was meeting my dad today, and I wanted to put my best foot forward.
I lifted the hanger with a pair of jeans off the bar and held them up.Too casual. I put them back in their spot.
I lifted a pair of dark khakis and a pair of lighter khakis.Ick. Just no. I returned them to the clothes bar.
I held up a pair of black pants.Too James-ish.
I focused on the upper section of the closet that had my shirts. Maybe if I could pick that out first, then the pants would be easier. As I reached for a long-sleeved button-down shirt, I felt James wrap his arm around my waist while he snaked his other arm across my chest and clasped his hand around my shoulder. He pulled me against his chest and kissed the side of my head.
“What are we considering, pup?” James asked after a few moments.
“I’m trying to decide what to wear.”
“Wear what you’re comfortable in.”
