“Baby, I keep waiting for you to realize that you can just talk to me when there’s something on your mind.”
“I am. I will. I just… I’ve never had that. Can you please be patient with me? I’ll figure it out.”
Nolan combed his fingers through Kai’s hair. “We’ll figure it out together. I’m going to keep showing that can trust me until you learn it in your bones.”
“I do trust you.”
“I believe you. I also believe there’s trust that you build withtime. But we have lots of that coming our way. I’m not worried.” He held out his hands to Kai and pulled him up onto his lap.
“Do you feel better?”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything else you need to talk about tonight?”
“No, Daddy.”
“Good. Then we can talk about your punishment now.”
25
Despite Nolan’s reassurance, Kai still felt stressed as they rolled up to the trailer park the next morning. He didn’t know why, only that he felt super exposed in a way that didn’t only have to do with Liam. It felt like Nolan would finally know just how broke they were. When he was with him at his mansion, his circumstances felt more “in theory” than reality.
As they pulled up in front of their trailer, Kai saw it as though he were looking through Nolan’s eyes. The screen door had been slammed opened and closed so frequently that it didn’t sit right on the frame anymore. The windows were busted, grime caked along the outside edges. Jason tried his best to keep it clean on the inside, but there was really only so much that he could do. The paint was peeling and metal had turned to rust in giant patches. Overgrown weeds poked out from around the edges and underneath the stairs, adding to the general air of neglect. It was hard to imagine that this busted trailer had ever been new at any point in time.
Next door, the twins’ trailer was even worse. Beer cans and bottles and cigarette butts littered the ground, and trash piled upby the door. One of Dom’s friends was smoking outside, despite the early hour, and stared as they crawled to a stop on the gravel road.
Kai felt a flush of embarrassment and glanced Nolan’s way to gauge his reaction, but the smile he got back was the same affectionate one he always had when he looked at him. The one Kai had put his name on because he’d never seen Nolan give it to anyone else.
“Come on, let’s go. You’re going to be late for work if we don’t hustle.” Nolan popped the trunk, and together, they hefted all of the groceries out. He was only going to be gone for a little more than two days, but Nolan, of course, had made sure that there was no possible way any of them would go hungry for the next couple of weeks.
“Hey Kai!” Callum called as Kai led the way into the trailer. The twins sat at the island eating cereal, both in worn-out, oversized t-shirts with their hair dishevelled, but they turned to greet him.
“Hey, little man.” Kai scrubbed his free hand affectionately through his hair, and did the same to Casey, but both of them had already locked onto Nolan behind him.
“Nolan!” they both yelled, their excitement tripling automatically.
“Are we going to come to your pool soon?” Casey demanded. Nolan set the grocery bags down and greeted each of them.
“Guys!” Jason reprimanded as he came out of his bedroom, followed by Justin. He extended his hand towards Nolan. “I’m sorry about them. This is my brother, Justin.” Justin popped his head from behind him, still looking sleep-rumpled himself. Justin was a good six inches shorter than his brother and looked like he had mixed heritage. A riot of caramel-coloured curls blended almost seamlessly into his skin, interrupted by a smattering of freckles beneath hazel eyes. Nolan shook his hand.
“That’s alright. Why don’t we let Kai and Jason choose a date? I’m good with anything.” Nolan answered the twins, handing the bags he held over to Justin, who muttered a quiet thank-you. The twins’ heads swung between Kai and Jason expectantly. Jason shook his head to let Kai know it was his decision.
“Umm. Saturday?” Kai offered, looking to Nolan for confirmation, as he unpacked fruits and snacks onto the counter.
“Yeah, Saturday should work,” Nolan answered warmly. The boys cheered.
“How do you two have this much energy in the morning?” Justin groused.
“Finish eating, and let’s get ready to go,” Jason told the boys.
“Is that for us?” Casey said, eyeing the grocery bags they were unpacking.
“Yeah, you can take some stuff for lunch. Say thank you to Nolan.”
“Thank you!” they said loudly.
“Is there anything I can do?” Nolan asked.
