Nothing distracted Casey better than cuddling up on the couch with his son, watching cartoons. The only difference with tonight was that they weren't alone. August's muscular body leaned close to his and he held Casey's hand underneath the blanket covering them.

After making sure Wyatt didn't mind the extra company, August joined them for a night of binge-watching old reruns of Paw Patrol.

Casey rested his head against August's broad shoulder, breathing in his comforting smell. It had been a long time since he had someone to snuggle up on the couch with. Not even Veronica liked to stay in and just cuddle with him. She always wanted to do something. She'd hate a quiet night like this.

"We'll watch one more, then it's time for bed," Casey said.

Wyatt pouted, gazing up at him with pleading eyes. "Two more."

"Wyatt, you know the rules. Bedtime is at ten and it's already past that."

"Please, one more, Daddy." Wyatt tugged on his arm. "Then bedtime, I promise."

Bedtime had been difficult at first with Wyatt, who wanted to stay up all night long like he'd do with Veronica. Casey had finally gotten him to fall asleep around nine and ten p.m. but he figured another few minutes wouldn't hurt. They'd been through a lot these past weeks, and Wyatt was in a good mood. Maybe he'd tire out for bed easier.

"Alright, fine. One more," Casey told him. "Then it's time for bed."

Wyatt's face lit up as Casey put on another episode, letting him snuggle back up in his arms. Nothing could've made the night any better for him.

Casey knew he should try to enforce his son's bedtime more, but it wasn't like he could judge him much. Not when he came home a few nights ago in the dead of night with a lingering buzz from getting high. They'd work more on a stricter scheduling for his bedtime better once he reached preschool.

When the show ended, Wyatt didn't protest having to get ready for bed. He'd already begun to drift off in Casey's lap, barely able to keep his eyes open as Casey brought him to their shared bedroom.

"He's such a sweet kid," August said softly.

"Yeah, I know." Casey smiled, cracking the door as he stepped into the hallway. "It wasn't easy. Veronica was diagnosed with postpartum depression not long after Wyatt was born. I tried to give her as much space as she needed. Taking care of a baby was a lot harder than I thought it would be."

"Yeah, kids are a huge responsibility. I admire ya, honestly."

"Wyatt's an amazing kid, but he has his bad days too. If you really want to be with me, you need to realize that."

"Casey, I understand. I'm no expert when it comes to kids, but I want to be with you." August pulled him close, stealing a peck on the lips.

"Lani and my dad will be home soon, but that leaves a few more minutes of time to ourselves," Casey told him.

"Yeah?" August raised a brow. "You got something in mind?"

"I do." Casey grinned, leaning up for another kiss before taking his hand to lead him back down the hallway.

Casey brought him back over to the couch, straddling his lap as he pressed himself closer to the gangster. Each kiss melted his worries. Just being in August's arms made him feel safer. It was ridiculous, but Casey missed being wanted.

Before his family got home, August left for the night. Casey still remembered the taste and feel of the other man's lips on his, wondering when he should tell his father and Lani about their newfound relationship. Hopefully, they'd be understanding. Casey was just following his heart, even if it took him down a painful, dangerous path.

🧁

The following morning, Casey prepared to head out to Mad Batter with his father. Last night with August still lingered in his mind, and he considered what he'd tell his dad. August left before they got home, so he hadn't discussed their relationship with them yet. Casey planned to bring it up with his dad while driving to work, hoping it went well.

Casey hadn't forgotten about the hit put out on their family and made sure that Lani kept their house locked up and sent him messages throughout the day. Just to make sure they were safe.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine," Lani told him, sipping her coffee.

"I know, but after everything that's happened, I just want to be sure," Casey replied. "You've got Detective Bailey's number too, right? If you feel anything is off, call him. Then call us. Don't open the door to anyone either."

"Casey, I got this. I understand."

Mr. Lockhart gently patted him on the back. "They'll be okay. I know it's frightening with Mom's killer still out there, but we'll be careful. The police will surely catch this bastard soon."

"Yeah, you're right." Casey donned his coat. "I'm just on edge, after everything that's happened."

"Nah, I get it," Lani said. "But don't worry, we'll be fine. We'll call later ya, okay?"

Casey nodded. "Yeah, sounds good. Thanks."

"No problem. I've got the whole day planned ahead." Lani beamed.

After preparing to head out for the morning, Casey helped his dad bake their sweets. Being back in the kitchen helped ease his troubled mind. Sweet scents of dough drifted throughout the room.

Casey peeked out from the kitchen, where their front door was still locked up. Street lamps flickered in the dark street. At only four in the morning, the sun had yet to rise above the horizon. He bit back a yawn and went back to work.

"Hey, Dad. There's something I wanted to tell you," Casey said.

Mr. Lockhart propped open the oven with a gloved mitt, sliding in a tray of chocolate chip cookies. "Everything okay?" His brows knitted in a frown as he closed the door, tossing his mitt aside on the counter.

"Yeah. Uh, actually, this isn't bad news," Casey stumbled over his words. "You remember August, right?"

"Mmh. Why? Are you still hanging around him?" Mr. Lockhart asked.

"He's not a bad guy." Casey jumped to his defense. "August is really sweet and he's great around Wyatt."

"You brought that guy around Wyatt?" Mr. Lockhart frowned. "Casey, are you sure that was a good idea? You don't want guys like that around him. He messes with those Black Vipers, and the last thing you need is them being around again. I thought we were done with this when Veronica went to prison."

"August isn't like that." Casey crossed his arms over his chest. "Not everyone is like Veronica. If you got to know him, you'd see that. Like, I get why you're suspicious about him but he's not dangerous. I'd never have introduced him to Wyatt if he was."

Mr. Lockhart sighed. "I'll trust your judgment, but please, be careful. Don't let this guy use you, okay?"

"Dad, I'm not an idiot."

"I know. I just don't want you getting your heart broken again. When Veronica hurt you, it was unbearable to see that. You always tried to hide your problems from us."

"That was different," Casey told him. "August is nothing like her, I promise. He's not addicted to any drugs. He's actually a really nice guy and he makes me happy."

"Are you sure?" Mr. Lockhart raised a brow. "You didn't know about Veronica's addiction until later into your relationship. Look how easily she fooled you and lured you to her gang. Had it not been for your mother, you would've been sucked into their world."

Casey cringed. "Dad, don't bring that up."

"No, if you're gonna hang around those people again, then I need to. You need to put your family first or you'll be just like Veronica. I understand, you're hurting, but do you want a repeat of the mess before?"

"I'm trying to tell you, August isn't like her. Why won't you listen?" Casey protested.

Mr. Lockhart sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm listening. I just want you to be safe and cared for. After what Veronica put you through... I don't want that for you ever again."

"Sorry, I guess I wasn't considering how you felt," Casey told him. "But I really like August. He's nothing like Veronica, and he's been great around Wyatt. I want you to meet him sometime. Like, actually sit and have dinner."

"I don't know." Mr. Lockhart hesitated.

"Come on, Dad. It's the only way you'll quit being suspicious of him. I know once you get to know him, you'll see that he's different. Not everyone who messes around with the gangs indulges in hard drugs or kills innocent people."

"Okay, we can do that." Mr. Lockhart relented. "I'll trust your judgment on this guy, but I'm keeping a close eye on him. Got it?"

Casey nodded. "I understand."

"He's also aware that you're a single parent, right? That if he plans to stick around with you long term, he'll become someone important in Wyatt's life too," Mr. Lockhart said. "That means he needs to drop any gang shenanigans and grow up."

"Yeah, I know. It's not something we've really talked too much about yet. I mean, we've just started kinda seeing each other," Casey explained. "If he doesn't want to be with me long term, I understand. But I made it clear that Wyatt will always come first."

After their conversation about August, they finished up their preparations to open the bakery for the day. It wasn't long before Xavier came in for his shift to help them out as well. While serving their usual customers, Casey wondered if he'd made the right choice.

"What do you think?" Casey asked his friend.

Xavier scratched the side of his neck. "If you like September and he seems like a good guy, then go for it."

Casey sighed. "His name's August."

"Close enough." Xavier shrugged.

"My dad doesn't like him. You know, after he barged into the bakery that night and had ties to Veronica's gang... I guess it's reasonable for him to have doubts."

"Good point. I dunno if I'd trust him either, but if you say he's a good guy, then I'll believe ya," Xavier told him.

"Yeah, and he keeps bringing up Veronica as if she was always this evil bitch who wants to ruin my life. Like, she was the sweet girl when we got together. Before the drugs and the gang, she was entirely different. Dad just doesn't like admitting that."

"People change, I guess."

"I never thought Veronica would end up the way she did." Casey gazed out the window, where traffic droned by on their small street. "After everything she's done, I still don't hate her. But I don't love her anymore either. Does that make me crazy?"

"Nah, it's reasonable. You've got a lot of history with her. She's the mother of your son. It's not like you can forget that."

"When Wyatt was born, I thought she'd get better for him. I thought we mattered more than her damn drugs. I guess I was wrong."