He thrived under Jude’s thumb. Following Jude’s orders. Jude had become his Daddy and Sam had been his boy.
Turning his head, Jude spotted the last picture of him and Sam that had been taken.
It had been right there on the beach.
Sam had just come in from surfing and he was grinning as Jude looked down at him with his love clearly captured in the still moment.
That had been a good day.
One of the last times that Jude could remember laughing.
His phone rang, startling him.
Jude sighed.
The name Lawrence O’Dell flashed over his screen.
For the first time in ten years Jude nearly picked up the call. If anyone would understand Jude’s plight, it would be the man that went through everything with him. The cell stopped ringing before there was a beep indicting that he had a voice mail.
Jude picked up the phone and opened the text messages. His fingers shook as he typed out the two words he always sent.
I’m fine
It was an even bigger lie than usual.
Chapter Three
Liam
Unwrapping and putting together furniture sucked! Sucked! Liam huffed before standing and stretching out his back. He wasn’t even halfway done, and Liam was so over this.
The back gate slammed, and Liam whirled around.
Jude stood just on the inside of his yard, holding a bag. “Move!” he barked.
Liam scrambled out of the way instantly complying with the order.
His neighbor shouldered past him to crouch in front of the table that Liam had been trying to get the legs connected to.
“What are you doing?” he asked in bewilderment.
“I cannot stand to watch you struggle or hear you sigh again,” Jude replied without glancing up. He picked up the leg and the screw that Liam had been trying to use. “This isn’t even the correct part.”
Liam was amused. Just earlier that day his neighbor had made it clear they wouldn’t be friends. Now look at them! “It came in the package.”
Jude grunted. That was it. Just grunted at him before he started sorting through the small plastic bag that had come taped to the table.
Liam nearly offered to help but thought better of it. Besides, in a tight black tank top and dark blue shorts that rode uphis thighs as he bent over, Jude was beyond sexy. Liam hadn’t been aware that he had a handyman kink but watching Jude manhandle the furniture was fantasy worthy.
Within minutes Jude had the legs on the table and spun it upright before gently setting it into place.
“Would you like a coffee?” Liam asked. He was starting to feel awkward as Jude began to put the legs on the tan wicker chairs Liam had bought.
“No,” Jude replied.
“Energy drink? Soda?” he offered.
“No.” Jude swallowed and shook his head. “Thank you but no. I don’t want anything.”
