“You—” I try to interrupt.
“No,” he snaps and cuts me off. “Do you know how much overtime I worked to pay for your school and child support to your mother? Everything I’ve ever done since I was eighteen was for someone else. Now it’s my turn to be selfish, and I want Izzy.”
“It’s—” I try again.
“If you take the time to calm down and think about this, you’ll be happy for us. We’re very good together,” Izzy tries, but I’m not hearing it, I’m too mad. So I storm off dramatically before I say something I’ll really regret.
21
WHIT
Well, shit.
I pause for a moment, wondering if I should let Leo stew by himself, but I decide he needs me. So I follow him down the hall to our room.
He’s sitting on the bed with his arms crossed, and I’m pretty sure there’s steam coming out of his ears.
I get down on all fours and crawl over to him. He tries to hide his smile, but he grins and spreads his thighs so I can kneel between them.
“I’m sorry you’re upset, Daddy.”
He huffs a breath and starts playing with my hair. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I’m not mad at you, and that was uncalled for.”
“’S okay.”
“No, it’s not. You’re my precious boy, and I shouldn’t yell at you.”
“You’re right, and now, you’re forgiven.”
“I’m off the hook that easily?” He huffs a laugh.
“You’ve had a busy day.”
“Yeah. It’s just… I don’t know.” When he doesn’t finish his sentence and just stares off in the distance, I decide it’s time to intervene.
“Cuddle?” I ask sweetly.
Leo grins down at me and pulls back the covers for me to join him. Once I’m wrapped securely in his arms, he hands me Dicky. I sigh in relief and feel some of the tension drain from him too.
We sit quietly for a minute before he speaks again. “I’m just surprised and concerned about them.”
“Why?”
“Because my dad’s straight. You don’t just flip.”
“Maybe he’s Izzy-sexual.”
Leo laughs despite himself. “What if he’s not, though? What if they break up?”
“They might,” I answer.
“That’s not what I wanted to hear,” he fake complains.
“Sorry, but they’re adults.”
“I know, but still.” He pauses now. “I don’t want them to mess things up. I’m happy with our set-up.”
“They seem to want more.”
