His Stepdad Wears Leather Read online

  His Stepdad Wears Leather

  Daddy Tales, 2

  Kelex

  Running from his deeply conservative, religious parents, Noah Butler boards a bus to cross the country, praying the birth mother who abandoned him will open her arms in welcome. Once he steps off the bus near midnight, an aggressive stranger has him running for his life. Noah finds safety at the Village, a gay nightclub—the only place nearby open at that hour.

  Luckily, he still has that fake ID his best friend got him… and he looks older than eighteen. Inside the walls, he would be Christopher John Douglass and twenty-two—and he’d celebrate his birthday with the hot guy behind the bar. If the handsome bartender succumbs to his appalling attempts at flirtation.

  Brody Preston takes one glance at the new guy in the Village and wants to know his story. There’s something about Chris that intrigues him. Brody can clearly tell the guy is running from something. His protective instinct screams within—but that’s not the only thing that sets the guy apart. It’s also the inexperienced seduction Chris attempts that has him charmed.

  When Noah realizes the bartender is the bar owner, he realizes he can’t come clean about who he really is. One-night becomes a week-long affair that ultimately ends when there’s too many questions Noah can’t answer. Again, he runs…

  But this time, he runs right back into Brody… because they have a past binding them together. A past neither of them comprehended.

  A TWISTED E-PUBLISHING BOOK

  His Stepdad Wears Leather

  Daddy Tales, 2

  Copyright © 2020 by Kelex

  Edited by Marie Medina

  First E-book Publication: June 2020

  Cover design by Cover by K Designs

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2020, Twisted E-Publishing, LLC.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  All characters depicted in sexual acts in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

  I

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Newsletter Sign-Up

  Also by Kelex

  About the Author

  Publisher Info

  Thank you, Sólstafir.

  You got me through this book when I needed it most.

  Thank you, Andrea L. for helping me sort through the legal crap and listening.

  Sometimes you need to talk it out to have your aha! moment.

  Thank you, Vicki, Rachel, and Alexis, for your feedback and your time.

  You all helped make this story better.

  Prologue

  Fourteen years ago…

  “Have you got any… kings?”

  “Go fish!” Noah cried at the top of his lungs.

  The four-year-old’s delighted giggle that came after was infectious. Brody struggled not to follow suit, especially after lifting his stare and seeing the maniacal smile on Noah’s face. There was nothing better than a child’s joyful sound, especially when he was suffering. Brody winced, stretching out his slowly healing knee. What he wouldn’t have given for something, anything, to shove down into his cast and scratch away for an hour or three. Geena had already confiscated his ruler and hidden it somewhere. He had a week to find it while she and Stacey were away on their vacation. With his luck, she’d packed it away in her suitcase and taken it with her, the evil wench.

  “I said, go fish, Brody.”

  Boe-di. Brody chuckled inwardly every time he heard the boy say his name. He reached for the deck, which wasn’t all that easy to do with his full-leg cast holding him back. “You’re killing me, kid.” Offering a smile, he winked. “Your turn, little man.”

  “You got any eights?”

  Damn. This kid’s a card shark. Brody pulled out the three eights in his hand and tossed them over to the gleeful child. “How’d you get so good at this game?”

  Noah shrugged with his whole body and wiggled his eyebrows. Brody barked with laughter, shaking his head. “Still your turn.”

  “You got any queens?”

  “Go fish!” Brody chirped. Noah heaved an adult-worthy sigh and took his lumps. As soon as he had the new card added to his precariously held handful, Brody continued. “Okay… my turn. Do you have any sixes?”

  “Oh man,” Noah cried… before he could lay down his cards, a knock came. The kid’s head swiveled, and Brody heard the expectant pause, heavy with anticipation, before the exclamation to come.

  “Daddy’s here!” Distracted, Noah tossed his handful to the coffee table—the game already long forgotten—and went running for the door. “Daddy’s here!”

  Brody steeled himself a moment before using his crutches to rise on both feet. He then started the slow shuffle toward the door. Before he arrived, Noah had it whipped wide open. Subzero cold crept into the house, its icy fingers clawing at Brody’s bare arms and leg—at least one leg was covered with the cast and still piping hot.

  But that cold had nothing on the icy glare coming from the other side.

  Bordered inside the doorframe stood Noah’s father, Walt, scowling at him.

  “So you’re the new one, hmm?”

  Brody had been warned about the glacial reception he’d likely receive. Luckily, he owed Geena and Stace. Luckily, for them. Not Walt. “Yep, I suppose I am.”

  After giving Brody the once over, Noah’s father glanced down at his son. “Go grab your bags. Abbie Lee’s waiting out in the car for you.”

  “Awww… why’s she here?” Noah asked, his little face screwed up in disappointment.

  “We’ve discussed this, young man. She’s your mother now, and you’ll be spending a lot more time with her. Be respectful.”

  “She’s his stepmother,” Brody challenged, lifting a brow. He knew it really wasn’t his place, but by the same token, it was really uncool for the guy to make light of Stacey’s role in their son’s life. “Kid’s already got a mom.”

  Walt took an aggressive step inside the house. “And he’s already got a dad. Me. So stay out of it.” He returned his focused to Noah. “Go get your bags so we can get out of this place.”

  As soon as Noah raced up the stairs, Walt turned that scowl back at Brody. “If I was you, I’d get the hell out of this place, too.”

  Brody narrowed his eyes. “Good thing you’re not me.”

  Walt ignored him, glancing around. “Stace and Geena couldn’t bother to stay around and say goodbye to him?”

  He clenched his jaw, trying not to be baited. “You know they had an early flight this morning. You were supposed to be here yesterday to pick him up. Remember?” Brody already regretted volunteering to watch the kid until the guy arrived.

  “They could’ve made other arrangements instead of leaving you here alone with my kid.”

  Rage swept through Brody. “Meaning?”

  Walt leveled a glare. “I don’t need your… demons… rubbing off on him.”

  “Demons?” Brody surmised what Walt was getting at, but he wanted the asshole to spell it out and own it.

  Walt hissed in a breath
, teeth clearly on edge. “Your… homosexuality.”

  Brody narrowed his stare. “There’s nothing wrong with being gay, Walt. Last I heard, you were gay, too.”

  “I allowed myself to be tempted into sin, but fortunately for me, I was shown the light. Now I have a loving, godly woman… one who helped me on the path to redemption.” Walt paused, searching Brody’s face. “It’s not too late for you, too, you know? To find redemption and forgiveness.”

  “I’ve done nothing needing redemption and forgiveness.”

  “Your very existence says otherwise.”

  Hands clenched into fists, Brody wanted to unleash the anger brewing inside—but little footsteps sounded down the stairs behind him. Noah’s luggage clunked down each tread as he slowly marched down. The boy obviously needed help, but with the cast and crutches, he wasn’t exactly the one to do it. “You gonna help him?”

  Walt didn’t move a muscle.

  “I can do it!” Noah chirped while Brody moved closer to the foot of the stairs, worry straining his body.

  “If you treat your children like they’re weak, that’s what they’ll become,” Walt said, smiling smugly.

  No, you’re just a lazy asshole. Brody let out a relieved sigh once Noah had managed the stairs. Biting his cheek, he forced a smile. “All ready to go, little man?”

  “Yep,” Noah cried happily. “I wanna see the princesses!”

  “Princesses?” Walt scowled. “Boys don’t like princesses. I thought you wanted to see Mike and Sully?”

  “Them, too,” Noah chirped happily.

  Walt didn’t seem appeased. “Take your bag on out to the car. I’ll be right out,” Walt said, urging Noah outside.

  “I’m sure you really need to get on the road,” Brody spat as evenly as he could. He didn’t need a continuation of the holy lecture.

  Noah was barely out of earshot when Walt continued. “Don’t give in to them. Don’t give in to those she-devils.”

  “What?”

  “Stace and Geena may have tempted you—as they did me—but there’s still time to repent before you create another life and trap it in this hell of an existence.” Walt cocked his head to the side. “I assume that’s why Stace married you. She wants another child. Am I right?”

  Brody remained silent. No way was he answering that. It was none of Walt’s business what their arrangement was.

  “Ah, I see.” He grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “What have they promised you in return? Whatever it was… it wasn’t worth it.”

  Brody glanced down at his cast a moment before eyeing Walt again. It was absolutely worth it. “I think it’s time for you to go.”

  “Don’t give them another child—they will twist its mind. Just like they’ve done to Noah.”

  “They’ve given Noah a warm, loving, accepting home. Unlike you.”

  “That’s what you think. Me? I’ve learned the truth. I won’t allow my son to suffer in this environment much longer.”

  Brody’s eyes widened. “Is that a threat?” He’s the boy’s father… I can’t stop him from taking Noah. Could I?

  “No,” Walt stated, his eyes narrowing. “A promise. I will protect him at any cost.”

  Protect Noah.

  Brody carefully stepped out onto the small porch after Walt stalked out to his decade-old Volvo, where his prissy, bleached-blonde wife sat on the passenger side. Noah happily waved from the backseat, oblivious to what was transpiring—thankfully. All the four-year-old realized was he was about to go to Disney World, which was a blessing, to some degree.

  The grin on his face was as contagious as his smile had been earlier. Even with all Walt had said, Brody couldn’t help but return the amused expression as he waved back—though it was bittersweet.

  Don’t let them go.

  He was filled with terror over what the boy would endure with his father and stepmother during that trip. Yet there was nothing he could do to stop them that wouldn’t land him in jail. Hopefully the Happiest Place on Earth could counterbalance all the bullshit the boy would have to listen to while there.

  Stop them.

  As soon as the car disappeared into the distance, he reached into his pocket for his cell and caressed it. He held it a long moment, unsure if he should call Noah’s mothers and warn them of Walt’s threat. They, too, were on a well-deserved vacation and he was loath to interrupt it with nonsense. After debating a few more moments, he flipped open his phone and dialed Geena’s cell. She, of the pair, would freak out the least.

  His call went straight to voicemail.

  “Geena… call me as soon as you get this. Everyone’s in one piece, but there’s something you should know. Don’t say anything to Stace. She’ll get herself all wound up.” He took a deep breath. “But call me. ASAP.”

  1

  Present Day

  Brody clutched a brightly colored gift bag as he strode through the packed P.F. Chang’s. Near the back, he saw his son waving him over. He returned Parker’s brilliant smile before eyeing the boy’s moms, Stacey and Geena, seated in the semi-circular booth. As he neared, Parker scooted out of his seat. Brody opened his arms wide and wrapped the boy in a bear hug. Now nearly thirteen, his kid was almost as tall as he was.

  “Hey, Dad!” Parker’s voice had seemed to deepen overnight. Another product of puberty.

  “Hey there yourself, birthday boy.” He gave one last squeeze and stood back. “Will you stop growing? You’re making me feel old.”

  “Well, my birthday isn’t officially until Saturday.” Parker grinned from ear to ear, showing off a mouthful of metal braces. “And you are old.”

  “Yikes,” Brody said. “I’m not even forty yet.”

  “Thirty-nine is old,” Parker replied, doubling down.

  “Whatever.” Brody rubbed his son’s head. “Sorry I’m late. Forgive me?”

  “This isn’t late. Not for you,” Geena cracked. “I didn’t expect you for another fifteen, at least.”

  He slipped into the booth behind Parker and eyed Geena. “I can’t help it if I have to work.”

  “You’re the boss,” Parker said. “You can leave whenever you want.”

  “If only that was true,” Brody replied. He handed over the bag to Parker. “That’s for you.”

  Parker’s face lit up. He was practically bouncing off the seat. “Can I open it now?”

  “That’s up to your moms.” He eyed them, smiling.

  “I suppose so,” Stacey said. Parker immediately tore into the bag while Stacey eyed Brody. “No hugs for your ex-wife?”

  “Or for the woman who stole her away from you?” Geena asked, grinning wickedly.

  Brody leaned back in his seat and grinned at Geena. “As I recall, she was yours before she was mine—not that she was ever truly mine. That means I stole her from you. For a little while, at least.”

  “It was great while it lasted,” Stacey said, lifting her wine glass in the air.

  Theirs hadn’t been a true marriage, but an arrangement. They’d each gotten something out of the deal—but if Brody was being honest, he’d definitely gotten two good things. He was thankful that Stacey and Geena let him be an involved dad, even when he hadn’t thought he’d wanted to in the beginning. He turned his attention to smile at his mop-headed son tearing into the bag for his gift.

  “Oh wow!” Parker roared. “The new Zelda game!” He eyed Brody. “Mom and Mimi got me a new Switch, too.” Parker leaned over and hugged him. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “A little birdie told me you might like that,” Brody said, hugging his son back and winking at Stacey.

  “Just what we needed. Another console. Because the Xbox, PlayStation, Wii U, and computer weren’t quite enough gaming for him,” Geena said sarcastically. “He’s going to turn into a microchip. In my day, we played outside.”

  “Okay, Boomer,” Brody said with a grin.

  Geena feigned an evil glare. “Be glad it’s your son’s birthday,” she said before lifting her fist. “Or I’d get y
ou, you millennial!”

  “Ooof.” Brody winced. “By some standards… I’m a millennial. Depends on who you ask. But I claim Gen X and hold on to that with both hands.”

  “Geena was born in ’64,” Stacey said with a chuckle. “Last year of the Baby Boomers, so you weren’t wrong.”

  “Nope,” Geena said. “I refuse to listen to that bullshit.” She grabbed her glass of beer and lifted it in the air. “To Gen X and all its glory. May we all hold on to it for dear life.”

  A waiter approached the table and stopped at the edge. “Can I get you something to drink, sir?”

  Brody turned his head and thought he recognized the young man. From the growing blush, he realized he must’ve run into the guy at the club, more than likely. He smiled, slightly enjoying the show. “Yeah… I’ll take whatever she’s drinking,” he said, pointing at Geena’s beer glass.

  “Yes… sir.”

  The waiter smiled sweetly before leaving.

  Stacey urged Parker closer and covered the boy’s ears. “Did you have to flirt at your son’s birthday dinner?”

  “That wasn’t flirting,” Parker said, a little too loud.

  Stacey let go of his ears and glared at her son. “What do you know about flirting?”

  Parker shrugged. “I’m in middle school. I know what flirting is.”

  “I forgot you’re grown now,” Stacey said, rolling her eyes.

  “Exactly,” Parker replied. “And so what if dad flirts with a guy? I’ve seen Geena winking at pretty waitresses before.”