Sugar Enemy (Sugar Daddies Book 10)

by Charity Parkerson

  Shit. He should have run while he had the chance. Law closed the door and then chose the chair across from David.

  “Would you like to tell me your side of things?”

  At David’s question, Law forced his hands to still before he twirled his cowboy hat again. “Not really, no.”

  David’s expression never wavered. He didn’t look disappointed or angry, merely resigned. “Either way, I intend to speak my piece.” Law wouldn’t have expected anything less. David wasn’t the type to stay silent in a time like this. He was beyond generous and a good man, but he wouldn’t hold his tongue while Law seduced a much younger employee in his care. “You’ve always been harder on Coy than anyone else. At first, I thought you didn’t want him to think you pitied him after the way he came to us. But months passed, and you didn’t let up.” It was true. All of it. Law couldn’t deny it. Still, getting called on his actions made him feel like shit. “I’ve asked myself why many times, but never quite came up with a theory that felt right. Coy is a hard worker. He’s always gone above and beyond. As far as I could tell, he’s never deserved the unfair treatment. But still, I told myself you must have reasons I hadn’t seen. Now, though, it’s cost us a good employee, so I’m no longer stabbing at theories. I’m demanding an answer. Did Coy do something to deserve being made to feel unwelcome these past months?”

  For a moment, Law was confused. Coy hadn’t told David about the other night, or all the other near misses when Law had almost given in to temptation. Law stared at David without blinking. He couldn’t think of a single plausible explanation that didn’t make Coy or him look bad.

  Another tired-sounding sigh escaped David. He scrubbed at his forehead. “Look, Law. We’ve known each other forever. You’re family. There’s really nothing you can say to me right now that would make me think badly of you, but I need you to say something. The truth, preferably.”

  Law lost the battle against his nervousness and twirled his hat between his hands. “It’s all on me,” he said finally. “Like you said, Coy always worked hard. I didn’t ride his ass to keep him in check. I did it to keep me in check.” David’s expression didn’t change. There wasn’t an ounce of judgment on David’s face, so Law kept talking. “I don’t know what Coy said to you, but I swear I never meant to hurt him. I’ll do whatever you want here. If you want me to talk to him and convince him to come back, I will. If you’d prefer I step away from my position, I will.”

  David pulled a face. “Don’t be ridiculous. I couldn’t run this place without you.” David stacked some papers together. “And Coy didn’t complain about you. Coy isn’t the type to whine. It’s my opinion you were too hard on him. In his shoes, I would’ve left a lot sooner. As far as convincing Coy to come back, you’d have to find him first. He was gone half an hour after I said he didn’t have to work out his notice.”

  Law’s brow furrowed. “Gone?”

  “Yes, gone,” David repeated. “He packed his clothes, called for a cab, and left.”

  Law stared at nothing, trying to come to terms with what he was hearing. “Wait. If Coy didn’t give his notice because of me, why did he quit?”

  “I didn’t say it wasn’t because of you,” David said without missing a beat and cutting Law to the bone. “I said Coy didn’t complain. Instead, he explained how he wasn’t good at this job, no matter how hard he tried. He felt he was letting everyone down, no matter how I argued to the contrary. In the end, I decided it would be doing him more harm than good by forcing him to work out his notice. Nine months of beating down his self-esteem is enough, don’t you think?”

  Law wanted to argue it hadn’t all been bad. Instead, all he could think about was Coy’s well-being. “Where would he go? He doesn’t have anywhere else to go.” Law fought back the panic threatening to swallow him whole. David was one of the few people who understood why the idea of Coy running away to face homelessness would leave Law feeling like he was suffocating.

  “I’ll take over the crew for the rest of the day while you find him,” David said, releasing Law from the hell forming in his mind. “Start with Jonah. He’d be my first guess. You won’t have to go far either. Jonah volunteers at Tyrone’s clinic on Mondays.”

  Law stood. “I don’t know if it’ll help, but I’ll find him and apologize.”

  David leaned back in his chair, stretching, as if he’d been stooped over paperwork for hours. “Apologizing always helps, even if it doesn’t fix anything.” He focused on Law, looking lost. “Honestly, I have to admit I thought things would be different between you two. I thought, if anyone could understand, it would be you. I’d really hoped—maybe—you’d be the way Dad was with you.”

  Except Law didn’t feel the least bit fatherly toward Coy. “Like I said, it’s all on me. Maybe I see too much of myself in him.” It was partially true. The rest of the truth was for him alone.

  The way David watched him said he saw too much. Knew too much. “Maybe.”

  Law nodded and headed for the door before David said anything more. Even though David was the best person Law knew, this wasn’t something they could talk about. If Law stayed, he might admit he was in love with Coy, and he didn’t know how to stop. Nothing could ruin Coy’s life faster.

  Working for Tyrone was easy money as far as Coy was concerned. No one followed him around, critiquing his work or telling him to hurry. He simply moved from task to task in peace. Technically, he was volunteering today. His new job, cleaning the building, wouldn’t start until late at night when there wasn’t a full staff underfoot. Coy hadn’t wanted to stay home alone in Jonah’s ridiculously huge house all day, so he’d tagged along to volunteer with Jonah. Not only did it give him something to keep him out of trouble, it gave him a chance to get a head start on his cleaning. Sooner or later, he’d adjust to a new life. For now, nothing felt right. Things would get better once he was in his own place... he hoped.

  Jonah had a house for rent and Coy had money saved. Working a good paying job with free room and board had made his bank account happy these past months. The cleaning position didn’t pay as well since it wasn’t as many hours. Eventually, that would be an issue. It was no big deal, though. Coy already had some feelers out for a full-time day job. He didn’t mind working two places. Working filled his hours and kept his mind busy. Since Coy had no interest in ever dating again, the busier he stayed the better. Just the thought of dating brought an image of Law to mind. Coy stared at the paper towel dispenser he’d been filling, seeing nothing. Law had probably shrugged and moved on with his day when he’d learned Coy was gone. Maybe. It was a pain for them to be shorthanded. An ache bloomed in his chest. He remembered the last time someone had walked off the job.

  “What are you doing right now?”

  Coy jumped and spun at the boomed question. Law looked more pissed than usual. Coy’s mind scrambled, trying to decide if he’d done anything wrong. “Cleaning out the horses’ stalls.” Even Coy heard the question in his tone. He’d read today’s schedule right, he thought.

  Law motioned for Coy to follow. “Leave that for now. I’ll help you finish it later. I need your help outside. Fucking Kerry quit without notice, leaving me short on help.”

  Coy picked up the pace to walk at Law’s side. “Why did Kerry quit?”

  “He wanted next week off, but Rick is already off next week. I told him if Rick would swap schedules with him, it was fine. Rick wouldn’t swap, so Kerry left. I don’t blame Rick. He’s already paid for a trip out of town with his family. It’s not easy to swap schedules on short notice.”

  It was nice to talk to Law when he wasn’t the one in trouble. Coy kept up his side just to hear Law’s deep voice. He liked the way it rumbled in his throat. “What did Kerry need to do on such short notice that it warranted quitting?”

  Even Law’s derisive snort was sexy. “All his boys were headed to Vegas. He was the only one who wouldn’t get to go if he couldn’t get off work. Good luck having money to blow in Vegas with no job. I don’t re-hi
re people who fuck over the crew.”

  It was odd how much it bothered him that Law had been left in a bind. Law was always hard on him, but he was good to everyone else. Plus, Coy understood why Law gave him a hard time. Coy was a fuck-up. He rarely did anything right or made any good choices. He wanted to help. Coy took a breath, hoping he didn’t regret his next words. “I don’t have anything else going on. If you need some extra help, I don’t mind working late to cover for Kerry and my duties until you can replace him.”

  “I know you don’t mind, because you’re an amazing person. That’s exactly why I would never expect that of you.”

  Coy missed a step. Not only had Law actually complimented him, he hadn’t paused to think—like it was common knowledge and not just an opinion. Coy had no words. Occasionally, he saw flashes of a human inside Law. Those glimpses were what kept him fascinated. Sometimes, he thought if Law ever showed his true face, Coy might lose himself completely.

  “You’re doing such a great job.”

  The brightly spoken words startled Coy enough he dropped half the paper towels he held. “Fuck. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” Jonah fussed as he stooped to help Coy pick up his mess. “I’m the one who sneaked up on you.” Jonah handed his stack to Coy once they’d managed to pile up the paper towels. “Hey, I wanted to tell you that it looks like you’ll have the place to yourself tonight. John just texted me to be ready to go out of town for the night. Now’s your chance to throw a kegger.”

  Coy could tell by Jonah’s smile he was joking, but Jonah had been too good to him. Coy couldn’t stop his internal freak out from leaking from his mouth. “I would never do that you after all you’ve done.”

  Jonah’s smile fell. A hint of concern flashed in his sweet brown eyes. “Oh, honey, I know. It was a joke. You’re not the type to take advantage of anyone.” He rubbed Coy’s arm as he made the claim. Coy’s heartbeat slowed. Jonah was such a cutie with his purple scrubs, messy brown hair, and gorgeous heart. Coy wished he’d met Jonah sooner, before life had kicked the shit out of Coy and left him bitter. Jonah’s expression turned even more understanding, punching Coy in the throat. “I know you feel like an outsider at my place, but you shouldn’t. Think of it as a vacation until John’s lawyer gets the lease drawn up on my old house and the people fixing it up are finished.”

  Coy took a deep breath. Life fit him like skinny jeans. Somehow, he’d gotten into them, and now he wondered if he’d have to cut his way out if he hoped to ever breathe properly again. “I promise I’m trying.”

  A quiet knock cut Jonah off before he had to explain he wasn’t good at functioning at an adult level. He turned toward the door. Law hovered in the doorway, looking ready to bolt.

  Jonah was the first to react. “I have something else to do,” he said, making a run for it. He didn’t try hiding the obvious attempt to make himself scarce. Jonah leapt from the room like a fire blazed around them. Maybe the room was burning. Coy fully expected the ceiling to crash down on him at any moment. His gaze wouldn’t budge from Law. He looked the way he always did. Old work boots, straw hat, and jeans that hugged every gorgeous line. Coy swallowed hard. He stared at the way Law’s black t-shirt clung to his chest. He’d caressed that chest. At the thought, Coy’s chin snapped up. He focused on Law’s face. Law had rejected him. Left him feeling humiliated and undesirable. Coy was unwanted, but fuck Law. It wasn’t all in Coy’s head. Law knew what was what. He’d given Coy just enough to keep him hanging on. Strung him along. Coy wasn’t crazy.

  “You quit.”

  Coy blinked. Law’s voice sounded different—like it hurt to speak. “Yeah.”

  “I needed you today.”

  Like an idiot, Coy’s heart turned over at Law’s claim. He hugged the paper towels to his chest, hoping to protect the foolish organ that clung to the hope Law might want him someday. “I’m sure you’ll find a replacement in no time. Lots of people need work.”

  Law shook his head. “I need you.”

  Coy’s stupid heart raced. Every second that passed in Law’s company made it harder for Coy to breathe. “Why?” Fuck. He was like the village idiot or something. Anyone else would’ve told Law to go fuck himself. Not Coy. He was ready to do whatever Law asked because he was too dumb to save himself.

  “David bought a new horse today. She’s jumpy and a biter. You’re amazing with horses and the two of you already have something in common. She hates me too.”

  A lump rose in Coy’s throat. He swallowed hard. His brain screamed for him to deny it. Coy’s lips wouldn’t form that lie. There was a part of him that did hate Law, because he loved him, and Law would never feel the same. “You don’t re-hire people who fuck over the crew.”

  “You didn’t.”

  “Get Rick to care for her,” Coy shot back. The anger he should’ve felt upon seeing Law finally reared its head.

  “I need you.”

  Coy immediately deflated. Law was the only person he didn’t know how to fight. He was one person one minute and someone else the next.

  “Please?”

  Turning his back on Law, Coy crammed the paper towels in the dispenser to give himself a moment. He couldn’t let Law see how that one word gutted him. “I already have a new job, but it’s at night.” He kept his back turned. Coy didn’t know if he could survive much longer under Law’s stare. “If you need my help, I have a few hours free before I need to get to work.” Coy’s eyes fell closed as he made the offer. It was like ripping out his heart and handing it to Law. He didn’t know how to stop setting his soul on fire to warm other people.

  “I’ll have you to your new job on time, and I’ll make sure you’re paid double time for helping us out today.”

  After locking the dispenser, Coy managed to face Law once more. “I’ll let Jonah know I’m headed out.” Law didn’t show any disappointment or triumph. His face remained clear. That was the only thing saving Coy from coming apart at the seams. Now all he had to do was make it through the rest of the day. He could do that. Maybe. Hell, he was fucked.

  While Law tried his damnedest to stay focused on the road, he could feel Coy’s stare. Everything about this was a bad idea. He should’ve let Coy go. The idea of Coy hating him was too much. He had to try for some middle ground. Law cleared his throat. The silence in the truck was crushing his soul.

  “So, you have a new job already.”

  It hadn’t been a question. Thankfully, Coy took it as one and didn’t force Law to dig. “Yeah. Before Ty was shot, he offered me a job cleaning his building at night. I decided I’d take it. It’s not as much money as working for David. Plus, no room and board, but you know.”

  Yeah, Law knew. Coy wouldn’t have Law destroying his life while working for Ty. In truth, he was a little surprised Coy willingly spoke about Ty getting shot, even if it was just in passing. Coy’s ex had been the one to nearly kill Ty. It was an issue for him. Law tried staying on track. “Where will you stay?”

  “With Jonah, for now. Don’t worry over it. I’ll figure it out. After all, I’m like a cat, right?”

  Law tried for a smile that wouldn’t come. “You always land on your feet.”

  “No,” Coy said, sounding cold and absent. “I’m very adept at getting other people to take me home.”

  Ouch. Law deserved that dig. “That’s because you’re a good person.” To his amazement, Coy fell silent once again. Normally, neither of them backed down from a sparring match. Law was exhausted from fighting Coy. He just wanted to be with him. Yet, by the time they made it to the stables, Law couldn’t get away fast enough. Coy’s anger and hurt was choking him. Law didn’t know how to make it right. He drove past the sprawling brick home they’d shared only days ago. Law didn’t look its way. He noticed Coy didn’t either. At the stables, Law leapt from the truck like it was set to explode and headed inside. Coy followed at a slower pace.

  When they reached the third stall inside the large barn, Law motioned toward the half door and the horse on t
he other side. “This is Belle.”

  “Awww,” Coy said, immediately moving close and petting Belle with no fear. “She’s so pretty. I love the spotted saddle horses.” Without an ounce of hesitation, he popped the door’s lock and slipped inside the stall with Belle. Unlike with Law, she stood still and seemed to relish his attention. Law moved closer. She immediately danced in place in protest.

  Law backed up a step. “I’ll let you get to know her, and I’ll come back in a little bit. Maybe you can get her settled.” He didn’t wait for Coy to argue before walking away. Even to Law, his long stride felt angry as he made his way toward the house. He didn’t bother driving. Law was too angry. He didn’t know why he was so pissed. That wasn’t true. Life was unfair. He’d stayed on the ranch, refusing David’s father’s offers of expensive schools and a life mimicking David’s. Law had chosen a reclusive existence for a reason. He’d never imagined that life would find him where he stood still. That all the things he couldn’t have would move into his home and become a constant dirt in his wounds. He never dreamed of Coy. Now he knew his loss. It left him bitter.

  By the time Law made it to David’s office, his temper was through the roof. This time, he didn’t bother knocking. “He’s here. I hope you’re happy.”

  David’s eyebrows rose at the impressive entry. “What?”

  Law motioned helplessly in the direction of the stables. “Coy. He’s here. We’ve talked. You can feel better about your brotherly duties.”

  David’s eyebrows smoothed. “Oh. Is he working here again?”

  It took all Law’s control not to stamp his feet in his frustration. David had always been maddening. “That ship has sailed, but he’s here. You got your wish.”

  “Law—”

  “I really don’t want to hear whatever you’re about to say next, David.”

  “I’m not blind. Or stupid,” David added, his voice heavy with understanding that Law couldn’t handle at the moment.