“An older brother then. Someone steering him right. You can see he’s changing already under Daniel’s guidance.”
“I guess so.”
Parker and I smiled at each other.
“He’s just looking out for you.” I grinned.
“Hey, when we go back in I should kiss you. That would give him something to really make his head spin.”
“Leave the poor guy alone. He’ll have a heart attack. Plus the only person I’m ever kissing from now on is Kayla.”
“Yeah, me too.” His forehead creased. “Are we freaks, Dan. Wanting to share one woman.”
“Nah, we’ve got great taste and luckily for us, we don’t have to let the woman choose, leaving one of us disappointed. This way we’re all winners. Anyway, what did you want to ask me?”
“I wondered if I could keep my job at the gallery and stay here?”
I patted him on the back. “Absolutely. I’m hoping to expand the gallery. How about a promotion soon to Deputy CEO?”
“Fuck, yeah. Seriously?”
“You seem to have settled into the retail world well. You’ve settled here at the house well. Might as well see how far our little empire can go.”
“Man, I didn’t know when I followed your address to find Kayla, that I was gonna find my own way in life too.”
“What can I say. I’m an amazing person. Now let’s go back in there and let you sort things through with your father.”
We went back into the living room and I nodded for Patty to follow me out. “Let’s leave the guys to it.”
“Sure.” She said, patting Philips' knee. “I’ll be just outside, honey.”
She followed me out into the hallway. “Do you want to go up and see if Kayla will let you in? I’m sure she has showered by now. The sooner you sort
things out the better as she’s feeling ashamed right now when she doesn’t need to.”
“How long has this been happening? You and my daughter? I know the Parker element is new but were you seeing her behind my back?”
“No. It all happened this last week. At first, it was just me and her, but she involved Parker. I was hesitant at first but, it seems to be working out for us all. You know I’ll take good care of her.”
“Daniel, that doubt never entered my mind. It was a shock seeing my daughter stretched out naked across a table and with two men there, not one. But who she was with--I know both of you are essentially good men. Parker’s maybe still a bit young and wild but hell, I had my own wild adventures when I was young. Kayla’s sex life is her business, not mine.” She handed me the key she let herself in with. “But I definitely feel it’s time to return this. In the future, you can be sure I’ll be knocking. Very loudly.”
“I want to marry her if she’ll have me, Patty. I want to marry her and give her my babies.”
“Well, you’ll have no problems from me in that regard, but what about Parker? There are three of you in this relationship and it’s all brand new. You might not get what you want Daniel, just bear that in mind.”
I sighed. “I guess as long as Kayla’s happy, I’m happy. I’ll take her whichever way I can.”
“She’s a very lucky woman.” Patty kissed my cheek. “Just as I was when you took me under your wing. I never did thank you, Daniel, and I know I cost you your livelihood. I spoke to Philip and we want to settle that debt with you.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I don’t want it. I would have never moved into art if you hadn’t done that. I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason and even though it was tough and I called you a fair few names behind your back, it’s led us to where we are today, Patty. Now go up and see your daughter.”
She nodded and started to walk up the stairs. “Blue bedroom,” I told her.
She knocked on the door and for a while, there was only silence. I heard footsteps in Kayla’s room. Then Patty came rushing back downstairs.
“Kayla’s not there.”
I ran out the front of the house to see that Kayla’s car was no longer in the driveway.