Slow And Steady: A Lake Cliff Adjacent Romance (Boys Of Lake Cliff) by K. Sterling

Author:K. Sterling [Sterling, K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bawdy Books
Published: 2022-11-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Is it because I’m a worm now?”

That was the story Atlas would tell their grandkids. That was the moment that he knew he had to do whatever it took to keep Declan because there was no way Atlas would ever be happy without him. And no one would ever want Atlas as completely or as intensely as Declan would.

“This is our fault,” Sage sighed when he came to check on Declan the next afternoon.

Atlas had dressed Declan in the comfiest pjs he could find and was keeping him confined to the large sectional in the living room. There were plenty of pillows and it seemed a lot safer than camping upstairs in the guest room with Declan. He looked like an angel, passed out and swaddled in a fluffy throw blanket.

“It’s not a big deal. Paul feels terrible and worked it out so the FBI thinks I’m caring for a sick family member. Technically, I’m always on duty, but I was able to take a three-day weekend and keep an eye on him.”

“Yikes!” Sage winced at Atlas. “It’s probably hard for you to take time off when you’re in charge of a whole field office.”

Atlas laughed and waved dismissively. “I could delegate more and find a little balance. I have a lot of time saved up. Like…all of it, because I never take a day off. At least, I didn’t until I started looking for excuses to come out here.”

Sage grinned knowingly at Atlas. “Good. You probably had to bust your ass twice as hard to get where you’re at, but the stress is going to kill you if you don’t rest and recharge now and then. And you need someone to come home to who will help you leave work and us behind so you can have that balance. There aren’t a lot of people who understand the things you see every day and the toll that life takes,” he said, giving Atlas an encouraging nudge. But his gut twinged at the thought of putting that burden on Declan.

“I know. And, ironically, Declan is somehow the antidote. He was raised by monsters but he’s still so good and honest. There are times that I worry that I’m traumatizing him even more. What if he can’t move forward because he’s still grieving?” Atlas asked, making Sage frown.

“Over his father and his brother?” He looked doubtful.

“Maybe he’s grieving the loss of the childhood he should have had and trying to come to terms with all the abuse he suffered,” Atlas suggested. “It can’t help, having the federal agent that investigated your family knocking on your door twice a week and texting you every night.”

“I am 100% sure that Declan wants to see you and he’s always telling me about something funny you sent him. He’s such a mess over you.”

“That’s part of the problem, though,” Atlas said, turning Sage toward the kitchen. “How about some coffee and a slice of Declan’s apple tart?”

“Yes. The answer is always yes if the

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