Mike stepped into Lenormand’s office. “This is a first, you calling me.” Mike sat down on the couch and stretched out. “What’s up?”<\/p>\n
Lenormand sat down in the chair across from him. “I had a couple of visits from Teddy.”<\/p>\n
Mike pursed his lips. “Okay.”<\/p>\n
“He told me a few things that you did with him. First of all, you are aware he’s a minor?”<\/p>\n
“I’m very aware of that.” Mike sat up straighter. “He’s almost of age–”<\/p>\n
“He’s still young. He’s not ready for an adult relationship.”<\/p>\n
“I told him he could see other people.”<\/p>\n
“How did you tell him?”<\/p>\n
“What do you mean ‘how’?”<\/p>\n
“Did you tell him it was okay to see other people, or did you tell him something like, ‘Oh, you can see other people if you really want to.'”<\/p>\n
Mike crossed his arms. “Maybe both?”<\/p>\n
“You can see the difference between the two, can’t you?”<\/p>\n
“I’m not stupid.”<\/p>\n
“I never said you were. The second implies guilt. He can see other people, but only on your terms.” Lenormand sat back. “What’s this about Bruce?”<\/p>\n
“He was a vampire. He was going to use Teddy.”<\/p>\n
“Did you tell him that?”<\/p>\n
“Sort of. But he didn’t care.”<\/p>\n
“Maybe because he cared about Bruce, not you?”<\/p>\n
Mike shrugged. “Maybe…”<\/p>\n
“Mike. He’s not ready for a relationship.”<\/p>\n
“He doesn’t want one anymore.”<\/p>\n
“With you.”<\/p>\n
Mike shrugged again.<\/p>\n
“Will you respect that?”<\/p>\n
“Sure.”<\/p>\n
“That means not harassing him.”<\/p>\n
“I’m not going to harass him.”<\/p>\n
“You’re thinking about it.”<\/p>\n
“I’m not going to harass him. I’m going to give him some tougher assignments.”<\/p>\n
“That’s a form of harassment.”<\/p>\n
“Jesus Christ, giving him tougher assignments is harassment?”<\/p>\n
“Provided it doesn’t put him in danger.”<\/p>\n
“It won’t.” Mike got up. “Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?”<\/p>\n
“I want you to be careful, Mike. He’s very tender right now. And if people find out…”<\/p>\n
“Who’s going to find out?” Mike stood looming over Lenormand.<\/p>\n
Lenormand slowly looked up at Mike. “Depends. Depends on what you do to him.”<\/p>\n
“Are you threatening me?”<\/p>\n
Lenormand got up slowly. “Are you?”<\/p>\n
The two men stood eye to eye. Mike snorted, turned away. “Don’t bother calling me again, Lenormand.” He stormed to the door, threw it open and strode out.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mike stepped into Lenormand’s office. “This is a first, you calling me.” Mike sat down on the couch and stretched out. “What’s up?” Lenormand sat down in the chair across from him. “I had a couple of visits from Teddy.” Mike pursed his lips. “Okay.” “He told me a few… Continue reading