I couldn't help it. I was so damn tired. Who in the hell was he to assume there was anything going on between us, just because I'd never brought anyone home with me? Hell, if anything, that should reassure him that Daniel was just a friend.
But he wasn't. Not by a long shot.
I'm sorry, I mouthed to Daniel as I passed by him on my way into the house. He gave me a sad smile. I hated that we hadn't even gotten inside before he found out what a complete dick my dad was.
“My room’s upstairs,” I told him, pretending my dad wasn't behind us, probably watching for some sort of touch or change of tone in my voice that would confirm my secret.
“He can sleep in the guest room,” my dad offered.
“No need, Sir. We share a room at school. It's no bother at all. I'll just roll out a sleeping bag if Zach has one,” Daniel offered. “I wouldn’t want to put you out by making you have to do the extra washing after we leave.”
“’Course he has a sleeping bag,” my dad scoffed. “What kind of man doesn't have a sleeping bag?”
A lot of men, I wanted to tell him. Not everybody needed to prove their masculinity by owning a collection of camping gear they never fucking used. But I chose to keep my mouth shut. I promised Daniel I wouldn't do anything stupid, and I was really close to making the dumbest mistake possible.
As soon as we were in my room and the door was shut and locked behind us, I curled my arms around Daniel’s back. “I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have to see him like this.”
Daniel took a step back, bracing his hands on my shoulders. “You can knock that shit off right the hell now,” he scolded me. “It isn't your fault he's being an ass. And you warned me it might be like this.”
“Still, doesn't mean I like that you're seeing it.” I buried my face against his neck, inhaling deeply to center myself. I needed the reminder that life wasn’t always the way it was here at home. In a few days, we’d leave, and things could get back to normal.
“And I don't like the idea of you having to put up with it all, and yet, here we are. Now, are we going to get out that sleeping bag?”
“You're not really going to use it, are you?”
“Not a chance in hell,” he promised me. “But your old man doesn't need to know that. We’re going to set it up to keep up appearances. I didn't want him to push the idea of me sleeping in a different room.”
“I wouldn't let that happen,” he insisted, even though I had no clue how I would have explained needing Daniel close to me at night. The last thing I wanted was to hear Dad berating me for being soft.
“I'm sure you wouldn't have.” Daniel combed his fingers through my hair. “How are you holding up?”
“About as well as can be expected,” I told him. “I wish it was possible to fast-forward to the end of the weekend. I want to go home. I want you and Colin to make me forget all of this. I hate feeling like this. Hate being here. Want to go home where everything feels right.”
God, I sounded so damn needy. What would happen when they got tired of me?
“That'll happen, you can count on it,” Daniel promised me. “And I'll be sure to tell him what a sweet boy you were for me, so he knows.”
“What kind of reward?” I asked, perking up slightly. I no longer felt weak because of how easily swayed I was by their surprises. It wasn’t about what they gave to me, but the knowledge that I’d pleased them that was the real prize.
“I suppose that would depend on how well behaved you can be. I know this is hard for you, but we just have to get through it, right?”
“Right.” I let out a deep breath as Daniel wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. I could do this. I wasn't alone. I had Daniel here to remind me I wasn't worthless when my dad insisted I was. I was just about to suggest we lay down for a few minutes when my dad pounding on the door echoed through the room.
I jumped back as if he would somehow bust the lock and barge in on us. Daniel stiffened.
“I'm sorry. Give me time. Remember what I said earlier,” I begged him.
“It's fine.” Daniel combed his fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes and allowed myself a second to just feel.
My dad pounded on the door again. “Zach, why don't you meet me in the kitchen,” he suggested.
I let out a bark of laughter.
Yeah, as if I had a choice. That wasn't a suggestion, and if Daniel hadn't been here, he wouldn't have been nearly so polite. “I suppose, I'd better go down and see what he wants.”
“You want me to come with you?” I was surprised Daniel offered rather than insisting I not be alone with my dad. Part of me wished he had been more forceful. As much as I didn’t want them thinking I was incapable of taking care of myself, I also wanted someone close to remind me I was worthy of love.
“No, I think this is something I need to do on my own,” I insisted. “Will you wait for me?”
