Page 54 of Various Intentions

I gave him an evil look. “That’s true. I’ll have to come up with another form of punishment.”

Taylor gazed up at Matteo with pouting lips. “Matteo, Daddy Nic is being mean to me.”

Matteo snorted. “Daddy Nic is being very patient with you. Stop being a brat. Go upstairs and get cleaned up for supper.”

It was hilarious to hear mild-mannered Matteo reach the end of his patience. I tried to keep the smile off my face.

“Fine. I get nothing but grief in this place.” Taylor shook his head exaggeratedly, walking backward to the stairs. “Why do I even put up with you all?”

“Matteo’s cooking,” I suggested.

He finger-gunned me before grinning and heading upstairs with the agility of the youth he was. “That must be it.”

“Are you going to Riley’s later?”

“Nah, I want to see Juno and Charles,” he said, then scratched at his neck. “Also, Riley’s mom’s coming over to bring him some leftover Christmas cake or something. We…uh, don’t get along.”

This was the first I’d heard of that. “Oh?”

“Yeah.” Taylor shrugged. “She brings back bad memories.” I raised my eyebrows and he said, “Talks about God a lot.”

Now it made sense. “Oh. I see. Does it bother Riley?”

“A bit, but he’s been moved out for a couple of years, and she hardly comes around anymore.”

“Does she know he’s gay?”

“Yes.”

“Does she know he’s seeing you?”

“Yes.”

“Well. That’s good, I suppose.”

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Vincent answered it, a dishcloth in his hand. Outside were Juno and Charles, carrying a substantial and elaborate gift basket.

I peered around Vincent. “Goodness. Who’s that for?”

Juno arched their brow. “It’s for Taylor.”

And all of a sudden Taylor was back, as if someone had blown a dog whistle.

“What?” Taylor said. “For me? Fuck, yeah!”

I stepped back as they entered the house, and Charles passed the basket to Taylor, who could barely contain his excitement.

“Thanks! Wow, look at all the goodies!”

“Yes. It’s…excessive,” I said, peering at the collection of items.

Juno narrowed their eyes at me. “I owe Taylor. His GoFundMe campaign has been a brilliant success.”

“Well, that’s wonderful. I suppose he does deserve it, then.”

“Don’t worry, Nic, I’ll share,” Taylor said, placing the cellophane-wrapped basket on the counter. “You know, you didn’t have to bring me anything, Juno. I’m happy to help.”

“I wanted to see your excitement when I brought it. At my age, that depth of emotion is elusive.”