Page 42 of Learning to Trust

I awoke to a delicious aroma wafting up from downstairs. I assumed the sizzling sounds and voices were from Andrew’s friends and they were making something to eat.

Slipping from the bed, I relieved myself and took a quick shower, the first I’d had in two days. When I stepped from the glass enclosure I startled at the sight of Andrew leaning against the door frame with arms across his chest and one ankle over the other.

Reaching out, he grabbed a towel from a shelf nearby and handed it to me.

“Thank you, Sir.”

Andrew nodded, he appeared unhappy about something. No doubt he would tell me when he was ready.

“Come downstairs when you’re dressed. The others are here and we’re about to have steak and salad.”

“Kyle here?”

Andrew tilted his head. “Yes, why?”

“No reason.”

He studied me for a moment before leaving. I felt irritated knowing Kyle was downstairs and probably acting like nothing had happened. After drying off and applying some of Andrew's deodorant, I ran a comb through my hair, dressed, and stomped downstairs. My mood was getting worse by the second and I had no idea why. Surely it wasn't all because of Kyle? Maybe I was still tired, but I had slept for four hours, surely that was enough?

Kyle, Cody, Simon, and Leon were seated at the table. Places were set, a large salad bowl and condiments were in the center, and each man nursed a beer. Andrew was taking steaks from a grill and putting them onto a large platter. He turned when he sensed I’d entered.

“Grab a beer and sit.”

Crossing to the fridge, I pulled out a long neck. “Do you want one, Sir?”

Andrew lifted his eyebrows, surprised I had referred to him as sir in front of his friends. I was too worn out to care about watching what was said when speaking.

“No, thank you. There is one on the table I took out earlier.”

After closing the door, I seated myself in one of two side-by-side chairs that had been left empty.

“How are you doing, David?” Kyle inquired. “Andrew said you were knackered when you went home yesterday and had been working all day and night on computer programs.”

“Thanks to you I’ve had fuck all sleep all week.”

“David!” Andrew set the platter on the table and faced where I sat. “Apologize to Kyle.”

I felt out of sorts, irritable, and not in the mood to play nice which was unusual for me as I was normally one for keeping the peace. Hopefully, I wasn't coming down with something. Maybe the sleep hadn't been enough to get me back on an even keel.

I pushed back the chair. “No, I won’t apologize. Kyle had no right to hurt you and cause us both to suffer." I rose onto my feet. "I'm going home."

I hadn't made it as far as the door before Andrew grabbed my arm and spun me around.

“Go back and apologize to Kyle and then go upstairs.”

“No, I won’t. I’m going home and Kyle can get fucked.”

Andrew held both biceps. “If you leave, we’re done. I will not tolerate a sub disrespecting a Dom, or me, in my home. “

Andrew was deadly serious if the set of his mouth and narrowed eyes were any indication. If I left, there was no doubt in my mind that not only our arrangement would be in tatters, but I suspected our friendship would also come to an end.

“Fine!” I stormed back to the kitchen and paced to where Kyle sat. “I’m sorry, Kyle.”

“Sir.”

I frowned at Kyle’s response.

"When Cody, Simon, and I are here, you will address us as Sir, the same as Leon does. It's a mark of respect."