Page 64 of Out on a Limb

Doug was probably pissed off about Hobie having a good time with Cameron more than anything else. He hated not being the superior father at all times.

“So he had some bottle cases around his apartment.”

“Was he drinking around my child?”

“No!” Walker punched the couch cushion, which didn’t have the effect he wanted. Cameron told him he didn’t drink around Hobie, and he believed him.

“Melinda said he had bloodshot eyes.”

“Let’s call the police then! Open-and-shut case. Maybe next she can figure out what happened to her old nose.”

“I called the facility to get some more information on the incident, and I had a lovely chat with Hobie’s instructor. Apparently, yourfriendthreatened and verbally abused her.”

Walker was prepared for this. Cameron had told him what happened, that he went all Erin Brockovich on this woman. Walker was only jealous that he couldn’t witness the scene and put in his two cents.

“I’m glad this is so fun for you,” Doug said off Walker’s expression. “I nearly had to beg to let Hobie stay in that class.”

“He had a good point, Doug. There’s nothing wrong with Hobie because he isn’t some mindless drone who will just sit there.”

Like me, he thought.

“And do you think it’s right for them to say it’s because he has two dads?”

“Your friend misheard them. Drugged-out college students don’t have the best memory.”

“Cameron!” Walker yelled. He didn’t care who heard. “He has a name. It’s Cameron. I don’t call Ron ‘That Guy You Fucked Behind My Back’.”

Doug glanced around and remembered he didn’t know anyone here. Precious was safe, for now. “I’m not even going to go there.”

Walker looked out the window, across the way to the west building.

“Why didn’t you call me? I could’ve picked him up.”

That was more hours away from Hobie, more hours for him to strengthen his attachment. Walker had already lost his son for his birthday weekend. He wasn’t going to let that happen again. He was a good father.

“Hobie had a great time with Cameron. You should’ve seen him, Doug. When I came to pick him up, I’ve never seen him so happy. Like exploding with joy.”

Doug bristled at the comment, then rolled his eyes. “Why weren’t you there? I’ve cancelled appointments with patients when things came up with Hobie. Remember when he had that virus in the winter? I was there for him. And you worked. Because we all know Berkwell and Radiance shampoo would fall apart without your guidance. I didn’t ask some piece of ass to parent my child.”

“Our child.” Walker had murder in his eyes. Doug knew his pressure points, and he knew just when to squeeze. He tried maintaining decorum with his ex-husband. He didn’t want Hobie seeing his parents fighting. But Doug decided to rip the gloves off.

“And let’s get something straight,” Walker said with an eerie calm. “Cameron is not a rent boy, and he’s not a piece of ass.”

“What is he then? Your boyfriend?”

Walker nodded. He wasn’t sure if that was true, but he wouldn’t give Doug the satisfaction. He and Cameron were in some type of relationship.

Doug stifled a weasely laugh. “You’re serious.”

“Yeah.”

“He’s fifteen years younger than you.”

“I know.”

“He’s graduating in June.”

“I know.”