The Manny

by A. T Brennan

  After a moment, he turned back to his work. He really should be concentrating, but seeing Cameron in his bathing suit was distracting.

  He always wore dark blue swim trunks. They were conservative and appropriate, but they still made Nathan picture what was under them.

  It was a nice distraction, and when he wasn’t thinking dirty thoughts about Cameron in his bathing suit, he enjoyed watching the kids playing and having fun.

  Cameron had done wonders for them. He’d given them new experiences and had gotten them enjoy things they’d sworn they would hate. He took them to educational places like museums and the library, and he encouraged them to play outside as much as possible. He’d banned all TV from their days, and there were no devices or electronics allowed. Once a week he took them to a movie, but that was it.

  Most of the other nannies they’d had had played with the kids and had engaged them, but they’d allowed a lot of TV and devices, so the kids had spent most of their time plugged in.

  Cameron easily occupied the large groups of kids, and even though he found the noise a little distracting, he was happy to see his kids playing with their friends.

  Cameron was incredible with them, and he was the best thing that could have happened to their family.

  After an afternoon outside, they’d all come in, and the kids would do something quiet, such as color or play with building blocks, and he’d come down to spend some time with them while Cameron cooked. Then they’d all sit and enjoy supper together. The more he was around, the more the kids were opening up to him, and the more comfortable he was around them.

  Cameron was also a wonderful cook. He made healthy and tasty meals with lots of spices and flavor, and he didn’t stock junk food in the house. Nathan was eating better than he had in years, the kids were eating properly, and they didn’t seem to notice the lack of sugar and grease in their diets. The meals were fun, and it was as though they were a family again, and Cameron was part of the family.

  One thing about Cameron was how he knew when to intervene and when to step back and let things happen. When Nathan was around the kids, he always stepped back, giving them space as Nathan relearned how to play with them.

  It had taken time, but he was finally getting to know his children again, and he was finally feeling like he was a part of their lives. They told him all about their days, and they made art projects for him and excitedly watched and waited for his reactions when they gave them to him. Cameron had told him how they talked about him to their friends, telling them how great they thought their dad was.

  After dinner, Cameron would take the kids upstairs to wind down and get ready for bed. Sometimes Nathan would meet him in the library. Sometimes Cameron would find him in his office or the media room, and a couple of times a week he would go out and wouldn’t see Cameron at all after the dinner dishes were cleaned up.

  While sex was a huge part of their relationship, it wasn’t the only part. They had a lot of sex in a lot of places and in a lot of ways, but afterward, they would hang out together. They laughed and joked and talked about everything and nothing. They debated and shared, and he found himself opening up to Cameron and talking about Jason and how hard it had been to lose him.

  It wasn’t perfect, and they had moments where things were a little awkward or strained. There were times when things got a little too intense, and when one of them would be in an off mood. A few times their debates had gotten a little heated, but for the most part, it worked for them.

  It was as though they’d always been friends, and it was incredible how quickly and how deeply they connected.

  Chapter Ten

  By the time late August rolled around, they’d fallen into a comfortable routine and everyone was happy. It was also time to start getting ready to go back to school.

  The letters from the kids’ school had arrived with their lists of required supplies and suggested items. The kids didn’t go to private school, but they did go to one of the nicer elementary schools in the city. Because the feeder neighborhoods for it were all wealthy, the school had pretty expensive items on their lists.

  The kids had outgrown all of their clothes from last year, so Cameron got them to help him go through everything and separate what they couldn’t use anymore to donate to charity.

  Because Logan was two years older than Daniel, there wasn’t anything of his that could be passed down this year, so Cameron bundled everything that could be worn again and put it all into bins to keep for next year. It took a few days, but he managed to get everyone’s clothes sorted and made lists of what they would need for the school year.

  Nathan had given his free use of the credit card, but he couldn’t shake his modest upbringing, so he took the kids shopping at consignment and secondhand stores to get what they could and bought the rest new.

  His sisters and their families all made decent money, but none of them were rolling in it, so they swapped clothes, shoes, and kids supplies between the families and shared whatever they could. Cameron had grown up with very little and then had even less when his father died, and he’d never gotten out of the habit of saving money whenever possible.

  Even though Nathan had money, he didn’t feel right spending it, so he still shopped sales and was trying to teach the kids that just because you had money, it doesn’t mean that you had to spend all of it. He wanted them to know the value of money, and he was going to talk to Nathan about putting them on an allowance so they could learn how to save and spend what was theirs.

  It took days, but he managed to buy most of their clothes secondhand, and the kids really enjoyed browsing through the stores and picking out what they wanted, especially Kaitlyn. If she had her way she’d be wearing princess dresses every day, but Cameron had convinced her to buy a mix of things so the dresses would be special.

  The only thing he didn’t buy secondhand were shoes; for those he took the kids to a shoe store to make sure that they were good quality and fit properly.

  When their closets were stocked, he made lists of the school supplies they would need and went through the suggested items to figure out what they needed now and what they could buy later if they had to.

  Now when he took the kids shopping, it was fun. They stayed by the cart and didn’t grab or touch anything they weren’t supposed to. They didn’t run away or throw tantrums when they didn’t get what they wanted, and they hardly asked for anything now. He tried to teach them simple math while they shopped and made games out of whatever he could. It was a far cry from the first few times he’d had to take them shopping.

  NATHAN WAS CONFUSED.

  He stared at the credit card statement on his screen and didn’t understand what he was seeing.

  Cameron had told him he’d bought all the kids’ school supplies and new clothes for the year. He knew how much it cost to get three sets of everything, and it wasn’t cheap. He’d wanted to see how much it had cost him this year and pay off part of the balance on the card.

  The total was so low he actually had to check to make sure he hadn’t already paid it. There was no way Cameron could have gotten everything they needed for so little, and as he scanned the names of the stores, there were a few he didn’t recognize.

  He opened another window and looked up the stores. What he saw made his jaw drop.

  They were consignment and secondhand stores.

  Why would Cameron shop at those stores? He’d given him the card and told him to buy what the kids needed. He had more than enough money to buy his kids new things. Why was Cameron buying used things for them?

  He shut down the computer and checked the clock on his desk. The kids would be asleep now; he needed to talk to Cameron about this.

  Nathan left his office and went to the library, thinking he would be in there, but he found the light off and the room empty.

  He found him in the kitchen making a cup of tea.

  “Nathan?” Cameron asked as he looked up. “What is it?”

  “Why would you buy the ki
ds used stuff?” he asked after a pause.

  “Why not?” He put down the tea bag he’d been holding and turned to look at him.

  “I don’t need to buy used. I have more than enough money to buy new things for my children.”

  “I know.” Cameron nodded and looked at him questioningly. “But I thought it was a good lesson.”

  “That I can’t take care of them?” he asked, his voice rising slightly.

  “No. Of course not.”

  “Then what were you trying to teach them? That I don’t have enough money to buy them proper things?”

  “Nathan,” Cameron started slowly. “I didn’t mean to upset you or offend you. I just thought it would be different for them. They’re so young they don’t equate money with love or being cared for. This way they got to learn about donating what they’d outgrown and about reusing things.”

  “So I equate money with love?”

  “That’s not what I meant. All I meant was they got what they needed, had fun picking everything out, and they know that you bought it all for them. They don’t care what store it came from or what the total was. They were just happy to get new things.”

  “But that’s the point; they’re not new.”

  “I don’t understand why this is so upsetting for you. I’ve had secondhand clothes my whole life. Kids grow out of things before they have a chance to even break them in, so you pass them on or sell them.”

  “Did you sell the clothes they grew out of?” he asked as he looked at Cameron in shock.

  “No, I donated them.”

  “I have enough money. I don’t need to sell my kids old things—”

  “Which is why I donated them. To teach the kids they could help others who don’t have as much as they do. Why is this such a big deal?”

  “Do you have any idea what the parents and kids are like around here?”

  “Seriously? What do you think I got them? Potato sacks and rubber boots? Everything we got was good quality. Most of them are high-end brands, and they all look brand new. No one will ever know they weren’t the first to wear them, or you didn’t pay a king’s ransom for them.”

  “How do we know they’re clean?” he asked as he crossed his arms.

  “I didn’t get them from a leper colony,” Cameron burst out as he rolled his eyes. “I washed everything before I put it away so it’s all clean.”

  “What about their shoes—”

  “I bought the shoes new. I made sure they fit properly, and they were good quality. There are three things you don’t mess with when it comes to your body.”

  “And what are those?” he asked, raising his eyebrow.

  “Your feet, back, and head.” Cameron crossed his arms over his chest. “That means new shoes and proper sports equipment if they ever need it.”

  “Look, I appreciate that you’ve lived differently, but I don’t need to buy other people’s castoffs, and I don’t want you buying them for my kids.”

  “Why is this such a big deal? Why do you care so much about where their things come from?”

  “We live in a different world than you grew up in.”

  “Seriously? That’s your reason? Fine. I’m sorry I tried to teach your kids a life lesson, and I’m sorry I saved you some money. I didn’t realize what a horrible thing I was doing.”

  “I can afford new, so I want you to buy new.”

  “Understood. From now on I will only buy new. You want me to stop buying things on sale too?” he asked sarcastically.

  “I don’t like that attitude on you.”

  “And I’m not liking that attitude on you.”

  “Just do what I say. You work for me, remember that.”

  As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Nathan wished that he could take them back.

  “Of course, Mr. Meyers,” Cameron said icily as he flipped off the teakettle before it could start whistling and put his cup back in the cupboard and the teabag back in the container. “Is there anything else that you would like me to do, Sir?”

  “Cameron—”

  “Don’t tell me to calm down.”

  “Actually I was going to tell you to grow up.”

  “Fine, I’ll go and grow up in my room. Well, your room that I rent from you since I work for you.”

  As he watched Cameron spin on his heel, a flash of anger suddenly shot through him. This whole situation was ridiculous, and the fact they were fighting about it was stupid.

  “Cameron, stop.”

  Cameron paused and looked at him expectantly.

  He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t think he had anything to apologize for, but he felt the need to say he was sorry.

  “I’m going out,” he announced. It wasn’t what he should have said, but it’s what came out of his mouth.

  “Fine.”

  “Okay.”

  “All right.” Cameron looked at him. When Nathan didn’t move, Cameron rolled his eyes and pushed past him so he could leave the kitchen.

  Nathan watched him stalk away and raked his hand through his hair. This whole fight was ridiculous, and it never should have escalated, but now that it had he was angry. He shook his head and went to grab his keys. He needed a drink and to get out of the house for a while.

  CAMERON STAYED ANGRY at Nathan for the rest of the evening, and he figured Nathan stayed angry at him well into the next day because he didn’t see him at all. He knew Nathan was home, but he didn’t even come down to eat supper with the kids. Cameron had left him a plate in the microwave and a sticky note on the glass half-apologizing and half-telling him to get over his issues and keep his promise to his kids.

  He knew the note would either make Nathan furious or it would force him to get over his anger, and he was relieved when he came down the next day to spend time with the kids as he’d cooked dinner.

  Nathan barely looked at him the entire time, but at least he was with his kids, and they didn’t seem to notice the change, so Cameron let it go.

  He had no idea why Nathan was still mad over such a stupid argument, but he wasn’t about to apologize. He hadn’t done anything wrong.

  IT TOOK ABOUT A WEEK, but eventually, Nathan seemed to get over whatever had made him so angry, and he came to find Cameron after he’d put the kids down for the night.

  “I’m sorry,” Nathan said as he sat on the chair across from him. “I’m sorry for that stupid fight, and I’m sorry it dragged out so long.”

  “I’m sorry too,” he conceded. “I didn’t know that you felt so strongly about that kind of thing. I should have talked to you first and respected your opinions.”

  “Are we okay?”

  “I am if you are.” He smiled. “All’s forgotten.”

  “So, we made up?” Nathan asked, clearing his throat slightly as he did.

  “We made up.” Cameron nodded and looked at him. It was then he noticed Nathan was hard. “And it looks like you’re certainly up,” he added with a coy grin.

  “And what are you going to do about it?”

  “I think you’re going to come over here, and I’m going to see what you can do for me,” Cameron grinned teasingly as he leaned back on the chaise.

  “Think so?” Nathan asked as he stood and started toward him.

  “I do think so.” He laughed as Nathan grabbed his hands and hauled him out of the chair.

  Nathan spun them around and sat down, pulling Cameron onto his lap so he was straddling him.

  “Looks like I’ve got you,” Nathan teased as he held Cameron close.

  “And what are you going to do with me?” he asked, feigning innocence.

  Nathan laughed and pulled him down for a kiss, and Cameron sighed against his lips as he melted into Nathan’s embrace. This was the Nathan he’d missed, and he was glad he was back.

  Chapter Eleven

  Two weeks into September it was Logan’s birthday. He was turning eleven, and he was so excited. Kaitlyn’s birthday was in January, and Daniel’s had been in April. Nathan’s was
in February, and Cameron’s was in November, so this was the first birthday he would be celebrating with them.

  Logan’s actual birthday fell on a Wednesday, but they’d planned a party for him on the following Saturday. He’d invited his entire class over since that was apparently what all the kids did.

  Cameron hadn’t expected every single kid RSVP that they were coming, but the day before his birthday, Logan had excitedly brought home the last RSVP card. That meant Cameron had three days to put together a party for twenty-five classmates, plus at least that many extra kids since siblings and a handful of Daniel and Kaitlyn’s friends were also coming to the party.

  That meant that he had to plan a party for over fifty kids ranging in age from five to twelve and also plan for about half as many parents and nannies to show up.

  He was glad Nathan had a huge yard because by his calculations they were looking at a minimum of seventy-five people showing up at the house on Saturday between one and four in the afternoon.

  Cameron had never had birthday parties when he was a child, and he’d never gone to any until his sisters had started having kids. Those parties had all been small family affairs, and it wasn’t until he became a nanny that he realized his family was different. Most people had family parties, but they also had parties for the kid’s friends, and the parties could be extravagant.

  He’d been to parties with catered meals and cakes that could rival ones found at any wedding. He’d attended ones that were held in ballrooms and had ice sculptures and DJ’s, and gone were the days of clowns and magicians. Now parties had full dance troupes, bands, singers, and one had even had an acrobatic team while another had brought in a full cheerleading squad.

  Thankfully Logan was more low-key and didn’t want anything fancy. He’d asked for a superhero theme and was happy with junk food and games.

  With that many people showing up, Cameron had ordered enough food for everyone from a grocery store. He’d spent the next three nights making the decorations and setting up games and crafts as he planned the biggest party he’d ever been in charge of.