Baby steps ∽『boy ✮ boy -EDITED

Eighth 👣-edited

           "Boys, I hope you don't mind, but you'll have to sleep in Greg's studio for the night. Sid flooded the guests' room when he tried to change the light bulb but slipped from the chair and broke a conduct."

"You had one job, Sid." I said at the same time Ryder asked: "Is he okay?"

You can guess who Kathy glared at.

"He is fine, hun. But he owes me a new chair and a conduct."

Well, it seems like empathy runs in the family.

Kathy led the way to the studio, helping Ryder carry our luggage while I made sure Tommy followed us safely. When we entered the room, said boy ran from my grasp and started bouncing on the floor, climbing on the double bed and starting to jump from it and on the carpet.

"Double bed?" I asked when I finally registered that Kathy's twin beds were gone.

"Oh, yeah. Sometimes Greg falls asleep in the studio so we thought it would be more comfortable for him to have a king sized bed for when he feels too lazy to stroll back in the bedroom." Kathy responded sourly then she turned to look at Ryder. "Uhm, I would offer for Carter to sleep on the couch, but as the guests' room is flooded, Sid will have to claim it instead. If you want, I could book you a hotel room, Ryder."

"Thank you, but there's no need to. I don't mind sharing the bed with Carter."

"Are you sure? You are both pretty bulky, I don't want you to feel cramped. You might wake up with sore muscles."

"I think it's okay. This bed seems pretty massive." Ryder insisted and I rolled my eyes, strolling towards Kathy.

"I wouldn't say no if you offered to book me a hotel room though."

The woman stared at me a few moments then she picked up Tommy and proceeded towards the door.

"I will bring you guys some blankets." She said before leaving the room.

Half an hour later the bed was made and the bags unpacked. Kathy was filling her storage room with pickled apples and cherry jam and Ryder was helping her prepare supper while I fed Tommy who was nicely sat on his baby chair. And the whole time my mind kept fretting over how I would get over the night. I might not have feelings for Ryder, but I was still a man who didn't have skinship with someone over a few months. I wouldn't lie and say Ryder was not attractive, because –as much as I hated to admit it-he was. I was afraid his body heat, his closeness would make my body betray me.

Damn Sid for breaking that fucking conduct! The first chance I got, I would run his toes over with my wheelchair.

Talking about the wolf... the entrance door broke opened and two noisy manly voices echoed through the house.

"You're gonna pay the reparations!" Sid's words became audible first.

"And you are gonna repair my conduct." Greg's gruff voice followed right after.

"I was gonna repair it anyway. Regardless, you can't compare a mere conduct with a freaking car!"

By now both men were standing in front of the kitchen, Kathy stepping in the doorway to greet them.

"Welcome back. What's with all this bickering?" She said, trying to peck her husband's lips, but being avoided by the man like the plague.

"It's not your business, woman!" Greg fumed, brushing past Kathy, taking a beer from the fridge -without any regard towards me and Ryder- and rushing to the living room. Sid followed him shortly.

"How dare you talk with my mom on that tone? It's not her fault you smashed my car on a streetlight."

"How dare you talk with me on that tone? I am your dad, show some respect."