Broke Up... Now I Am His Stepfather

Asher's office was every bit the shr

uit jacket off. "I could've

tten the full experience. I figured an in-per

dark with somethi

ehind Asher's gaze too intens

e room slowly, stopp

k on his face. "You're dangerous in a suit," he said, voice low and rich. "Too p

by the change in tone. "

igh, up to his butt, and came to rest. "Y

ss you?"

answer. He leaned in, clos

head back sligh

ht. I'm sorry. I just... God, Caleb, I haven't felt like this

. "You're my client.

y, stepping back, hands raised. "For

," Caleb

Asher said, voice low, "but I haven't

d too, ten

ght up. I respect you, Caleb. This wasn't meant to be manipulati

he stopped and turned. "Asher... I don't think you're a ba

left, the door clic

dropped to his

air Caleb had just vacated, b

-

nry's place, using the spare

to talk, to tell him everything about w

Henry?" but there was no response, only the fa

ascended the stairs slowly, ea

ze. A guy was on top of Henry, rid

nd, in a panic, he shoved t

e his face, but there was nowher

twisting his features, t

voice cracking,

mbled bac

boxers and pulling them on in a rush. He chased

invite him. It all happened

expression shatter

s my ex. I was going to tell you after the party, but I didn'

rembling. "You let him into your house,

n do it once, you can do it again. I don't

followed behind, his voice cracking and

-

step outside

isits, Asher's calls

akeout, a quiet presence, throwing out dumb j

-

ek asked flatly one afternoon.

laugh, sharp and holl

shadowed. "You are. You d

as different,"

e. "Stop tearing yourself apart over this. It wasn't y

-

knuckles rapping hard on the door. The moment Jaden opened it, Derek push

until he was pinned against the corner wall.

shame creeping in. "I di

ed, eyes blazing. "You

tled. "I... I can't. He's not

you were in yours when you gav

ened, his f

oice low and cold. "H

," he murmured. "I know nothing I say will justify it. I just... I couldn't get over

ined sharp. "We all screw up. But Caleb's still our frie

d hard. "What

I'll go with you. And I'll ask Will to

ragging his shoulders down

ed. Again.

iet afternoon that C

reathed, barely

u haven't answered any of my calls. If this is about what

was a

er tonight?" Cal

retched be

e?" Asher ech

aleb's voi

, gentle but unwavering.

dress," Caleb murmur

here," Ash

e call without

-

and Caleb stood b

icense and the slow, deliberate words of the justice

ked in each other's

out together, their footsteps echoi

-

ugh the phone. "You married him? Please tell me thi

Caleb said, his voice calm

married your ex's dad, Cal

t blink. "Y

disbelief in her eyes. "

ayed

. "We're not saying he doesn't care. But Hen

" Caleb said. "He's

u're missing the point.

dding beside him. "Like you'r

ry tore me apart. He slept with Jaden, my friend. Our friend."

To be gutted. To be replaced. To watch someone you love

feel it, every sickening second o

turned as Jaden walked in, eye

er," Caleb said, standi

e paused only for a second b

e others. "Serious

"Don't you dare act clueless. Th

-

ding, Henry walked into

aw stoppe

to a slow song as he pressed a kiss to Caleb's neck. Their fingers

eyes locking on the ring

d, his body going still as

ense moment,