“I overheard you with Hallie yesterday when that little motherfucker disrespected her.”
He spun around as I released him. “Oh man, I wanted to kick his fucking ass! But Hallie did good. I’m trying to teach her as many creative insults as I can. I take my responsibility seriously, Sir.”
I shook my head in amusement. “Whatever you’re doing is working. I appreciate it.”
He smiled goofily and leaned back against KC, then peered up at him. “Can we play with him sometime, Daddy? He’s really revving my engine.”
I let out a laugh.
That was a nice ego boost.
“You already know he’s the most unavailable single guy out there,” KC chuckled.
“Hmpf.” Noa eyed me. “You should make yourself available, Sir. Lots of brats are crushing on you, you know. You have a responsibility.”
I laughed again, and I locked eyes with KC. “That’s twice in thirty seconds a brat talks about responsibility.”
“I know. Something isn’t right here.” KC kissed the top of Noa’s head. “Daddy needs to sit down, freckles. How about you go grab us some snacks?”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll meet you on the deck,” Noa said.
As he walked off, I noticed KC was supporting himself heavily on his cane, so I didn’t ask. I just sidled up next to him and cupped his elbow.
“Thanks.” He released a breath. “My useless legs are about to cave in.”
“Buddy, we tell subs not to talk down on themselves. You might wanna set a better example.” I wouldn’t stand for him talking shit about himself. The man had survived an actual avalanche a few years ago, leaving him with a spinal cord injury. Partial paralysis, or whatever it was called. “Want me to get Lucian or your wheelchair?”
“None of it. I’m okay.” He shook his head, and we walked slowly to get to the other side of the pool. “Noa isn’t completely wrong, by the way. You may not have a responsibility toward any brats out here, but you do have one toward yourself and your children. You need to find happiness.”
Dammit.
“I feel better when I’m the one preaching to you, not the other way around,” I informed him.
He smirked and gave my cheek a smooch. “This is only the beginning. Penelope talks.”
Well, fuck her, then.
I scowled.
“What did she say?” I muttered.
KC didn’t reply until we were out of earshot of Macklin, Lane, and Kit.
“That you can’t crawl out of your depression long enough to make proper progress,” he said. “She may have mentioned a married couple that’s interested in playing with you too.”
I’d said that shit in confidence, for chrissakes.
But this was a solid reminder. I remembered now that members out here tended to nip things in the bud by forcing you to address a problem head on.
It was bullshit.
“You need to give that Daddy in you some playtime,” KC finished.
I didn’t reply. Technically, I knew he was right. I just wasn’t so sure about James and Jordan, because the prospect of getting involved with them led me to think up scenarios in which I suddenly won Nate back. Because what if he joined us?
That was a slippery slope that could shove me even deeper into a depression.
Nate had practically spelled it out already. He didn’t love me anymore.
