Page 74 of Kodi’s Keeper

Derick pulled himself together faster than Lane and stepped to the couple. “Lennon, lovely to see you. Can I get you a drink?”

“Erm… okay, a cock… n-no I mean coke.” Lennon was as flushed as Lane, for a totally different reason, not looking directly at anyone as he fidgeted at Kodi’s side.

The laughter Kodi didn’t hold back broke the awkwardness. “No, I think that’s what Popi wants.”

“Kodi,” Derick said in a stern tone that did nothing to stop his son.

“Dad, come on, you were a few seconds from—”

“Yes, well, we thought we were alone. And as we have a guest, I’ll go and get the drinks.” He left without asking what the rest of them wanted, and Lane refrained from calling Derick back, taking pity on him.

Lane then noticed the time and glanced between the couple, who were holding hands. On the wrist of the hand holding Kodi’s was a jeweled bangle.

Oh my, was this what he bought when he went shopping with Derick?

“What brought you home on a Monday morning? Is everything okay?”

Don’t let me be wrong.

Lane took hold of Lennon’s free hand, the icy skin sending a little shock through him, and tugged him away from Kodi and to the large couch in front of the wood stove. A large Christmas tree sat in the corner of the room, twinkling away and adding an air of festivity to the room. If Lennon noticed any of it, Lane would have been surprised with how his gaze continued to dart nervously around, not landing on anything for a second.

Lane looked from the silent Lennon to Kodi, who was standing, hands shoved into pockets and drawing attention to the suit that… “Whose suit are you wearing and why aren’t you wearing socks?”

“It’s not important. I wanted to… I… Lennon and I are…” Kodi glanced at the door with expectancy.

“We’re—” Lennon didn’t get any further before Kodi jumped in.

“Together. Kodi is mine… my mate.”

There was a kind of stunned silence when Lennon went still and Kodi fidgeted on the spot. “I’m gonna help Dad.” He was out the door before anyone could say anything more.

Not entirely sure whether mating had been mentioned before Kodi blurted it out, judging by how Lennon’s eyes had widened, Lane gave him an encouraging smile, looking for something to say while Lennon recovered. “That’s a pretty bracelet.”

“Kodi gave it to me.” Lennon’s eyes welled with tears. “H-he says it’s a l-love token. He l-loves m-me,” he stuttered through a sob. “He c-called me his m-mate.”

A wide grin spread across Lane’s face. Yes, he did!

He hugged Lennon, his worries over Kodi fleeing. “Of course he does, the boy isn’t stupid.” That’s why he was hiding out in the kitchen with his dad, to avoid the emotional fallout.

Lane sniffed, his own eyes filling with tears at how happy Lennon looked when they separated and he held up the arm with the pretty bracelet on it. “And you don’t mind?”

“Silly boy, why would I mind? You are perfect for each other, I p…” Lane managed to stop himself from confessing he’d hired Lennon for this very reason, coughing like he’d got something caught in his throat.

“Are you okay?” Lennon tapped him on the back.

“Most definitely.” Lane heard Derick and Kodi approaching. “I made a mango cheesecake last evening. It’s a new recipe Bowie gave me. Shall we try some?”

“Heck yeah, cheesecake, yummy. I haven’t had breakfast.”

Lane eyed Lennon with speculation when he fidgeted next to him at confessing that. “Are you alright?”

He witnessed Lennon’s hesitation before he nodded. “I’m fine.”

Lennon waved off the concern and Lane got an unexpected jolt when his animal yipped at him. What is it?

“I found a new recipe for peanut butter cup cakes. It’s a flourless one that uses bananas instead.” Lennon licked his lips. “I can’t wait to try it. I bought those ninety percent chocolate chips to use.”

Lane’s animal stayed quiet, and passing it off as excitement over Kodi, Lane tilted his head, his brain shifting gears back to baking.