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Not really. I’d already gone off on my own and had my inheritance from my grandfather to cushion the rest of my life.
“Two million.” She flitted her gaze from me to Drake. “Each.”
“What?” I asked.
“I’m giving both of my boys two million from the sale.” She beamed as though she’d just given us the greatest prize on earth.
I would’ve rather had had her attention and love as a child than a drop in the bucket of her wealth.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Drake stated quietly. He radiated tension and not over the gift but Jacqueline’s words.
My boys.
I shuddered. The truth she saw Drake as her son sickened me to imagine what she would think about our being together. Swallowing against the bile wanting to rise, I tore my stare off my stepbrother. Remorse would never swamp me over what we’d done, but I couldn’t help the unease wanting to creep through my mind and cover the joy I’d stashed away from the hours I’d been gifted with Drake.
“Thank you, Jacqueline.” I managed to get the words out and a small smile, even though I didn’t feel anything remotely happy about the situation.
Her face radiated pride, and I suddenly couldn’t wait to be rid of her presence.
“When is your flight?” I asked, glancing up as a waitress approached with our meals.
“Three, so we are a little short on time,” Jacqueline replied even though it was her own personal jet waiting for her.
I managed to choke down half of my omelet stuffed with vegetables when I would have rather slathered thick slices of French toast with maple syrup. After years of watching me eat while a child, the woman ought to know my preferences when it came to breakfast foods.
Drake devoured his meal without complaint, clearing his plate while all I could think about, what made my stomach nervous, was what would happen if Jacqueline found out what her “boys” had been up to since the evening before.
Chapter 19
Drake
My feet itched to move. To the elevator. Back to my room where I could strip my lover of every article of clothing covering his freckled skin so I could soothe—and taste—him again. Dick stirring, I fought to keep from shifting in my seat as everyone else finished their breakfast.
Jacqueline and Dad’s bags had already been packed, and a limo waited to whisk them away to the airport.
While I’d rather have headed straight back upstairs once we stood from the breakfast table, I found patience enough to walk them through the lobby and outdoors beneath a cold yet sunlit New York sky.
“Take care of yourself,” Jacqueline said to Preston as she hugged him. I’d only ever seen her hold her son once before—last night.
Part of me wanted to soften toward her, for the love she finally showed the poor kid, but I just couldn’t. I clasped Dad tight, slapping his back. “Safe travels.”
“You too, son.” He squeezed my shoulder, giving me a direct stare. “And take care of Preston.”
Preston. Not my brother. Not even my stepbrother.
Swallowing hard at his knowing yet assuring gaze, I nodded. Same as when I’d told him I was gay, there were no questions, no suggestions I attempt to live life another way. Dad had simply accepted who I wanted.
Maybe someday, he would be able to influence Jacqueline enough that Preston and I could try for forever.
Wishful thinking, but what choice did I have?
Dad turned to my lover to say goodbye while Jacqueline shifted to face me.
“Well.” She tried for a smile, but the light in her eyes dimmed the slightest bit.
I nodded, not expecting affection. “Safe travels, Jacqueline.”
Her gaze flitted to Preston, who glanced at me at the same time. I quickly looked back at Jacqueline to find a brief frown flitting over her brow, her eyes so like her son’s filling with sadness.
