Protect Me Please

Chapter 4

I don't hear from or see Axel for the last fifteen days; I'm glad yet curious why since I sent him a text saying that I would go on one date with him if he agreed Connor could come with. I sent this text to him three days after he was at my house; but he hasn't replied to me at all, so I'm taking that to be his answer - no.

Karter and Holton are exclusively dating now; they have been for the last fourteen days and I'm happy for them. Max has been asking every few days if he can spend time with Cameron and I keep telling him no since Cameron has no interest in Max; because of their age difference. Mum was home for a week before having to leave again on business; she's in Tokyo, Japan.

Karter gives me sad, guilty eyes every time I see him and honestly I'm tired of it; "Why are you giving me this sad, guilty look every time we see each other?"

"It's not my place to tell you but I feel you have the right to know; Axel is dating a woman named Corrie Erickson."

"Thanks for telling me; are all of us still on for tonight?"

Holt, Kolt and Karter are coming over to my home tonight for dinner and a movie.

"Yup, we'll be at yours by 6 p.m. "

So, that was yesterday and today (Saturday) is when they are coming over; I've come to know Karter well since he and Holton have been dating.

"Benji, can I invite a friend over tonight until tomorrow?" Cam asks with a bright smile.

"Sure you can."

Cameron's friend, Harper is dropped off by his mom, Coral, and she leaves with a promise from me that I will bring Harper home tomorrow and that there isn't any booze in my home. The two of them spend their time in Cameron's room playing video games.

"Papa, uncles coming here?" Connor asks; while he plays with his toys on the living room floor while I have music playing off my iphone thorugh my sterio system.

"Yes, Connor and so is Karter," I say; while I pull dinner from the oven to cool slightly; we're having vegatarian lasagna tonight.

"Yeah!" He cheers; with a fist bump that he learned from Cam.

Giggling at him as I open the door when the bell rings; "Hey guys, come on in."

Stepping back, giving the three men room to enter the house; who greet Connor and I. "Dinner is done," I tell them as they follow me into the kitchen. "Cam, Con, Harper, dinner is done!"

Conner runs into the kitchen, chanting; "Food, food, food!"

Giggling at my son as I cut the two pans of lasagna into sections before serving the food; Holt places Connor's plate in the freezer to cool enough for him to eat. Cameron and Harper take their plates into his room to eat while playing their video games and the five of us eat at the kitchen table.

"Benjamin, may I ask a personal question?" Karter asks; once Connor is in bed for the night.

We're at the table playing 'Sequence'; "Sure but I might not answer it."

"Where's your father and Cameron's?"

"Um, Cameron's dad died when mum was pregnant with Cam; my dad, he's, um. in prison for beating the hell out of mum when she was seven months pregnant with me. I met him once when I was 18 years old."

"Why would you visit him?" Karter asks shocked.

"I wanted answers and to know what he looked like," I shrug.

"I'm not sure I could have done that, so you're a better man than me," Karter admits with a shake of his head.

"I'm not a better person than anyone; I did it for a selfish reason; me."