Chapter Fourteen

Jasha

T he moment Adam’s knuckles contacted the door, Jasha’s stomach twisted in a flurry of nerves, realizing he would know Jasha had moved in with Daddy Kaleb. Why that bothered him, he didn’t know. Everyone in this home knew everything about everyone but he wasn’t used to his business being advertised. He sat on the chair while Daddy Kaleb answered the door and took the suitcase he had brought, then closed the door after exchanging morning greetings.

“Put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with a sweatshirt. After breakfast, we’re going riding.”

“Okay. It’s going to be a fun day.”

“Yes, I can’t wait to take you riding here. Meet me in the dining room. I need to make a call.” He left the room.

“Okay.”

Jasha sat alone in the dimly lit bedroom, the silence pressing in on him. He felt a deep sense of homesickness, missing his father more than ever. The thought of hearing his father’s voice brought a glimmer of hope, so he picked up his phone and dialed the familiar number.

The line rang once, twice, and then a robotic voice informed him that the number was disconnected. A wave of disappointment washed over him, and he felt a lump form in his throat. Determined, he quickly typed out an email to his father, pouring his heart into the message. He hit send, only to have it bounce back almost immediately. The email address was no longer valid.

Frustration and worry gnawed at him. He needed answers. With little thought, he dialed the number of Ivan, the man in the next-door apartment. Ivan had always been friendly and might know something.

The phone rang a few times before Ivan’s gruff voice answered. “Hello?”

“Hi, Ivan, it’s Jasha from next door,” Jasha said, trying to keep his voice steady. “I was wondering if you have any news about my father. I tried calling and emailing him, but both were disconnected.”

There was a pause on the other end before Ivan responded, “Oh, Jasha. I thought you knew. Your father moved back to Russia.”

Jasha’s heart sank. “Russia? Why didn’t he tell me?”

“I don’t know, kid. He mentioned something about a job opportunity. You live in the same apartment. How can you not know?”

“I’m away on vacation with a friend. I can’t believe he left me like that. Something must be wrong.”

“Maybe he didn’t have time to reach out,” Ivan said sympathetically.

“Did he give you his new address or phone number?”

“No, he said he’d write after he gets there.”

“Thanks, Ivan,” Jasha muttered, feeling a mix of sadness and confusion. “I appreciate it.”

“Take care, Jasha. If you need anything, you know where to find me,” Ivan offered before hanging up.

Jasha sat there, the phone still in his hand, feeling more alone than ever. His father was in Russia, and he hadn’t even known. The distance between them felt insurmountable, and Jasha couldn’t shake the feeling of being abandoned. Did Daddy Kaleb tell him to get out of Brighton? He needed to talk to him as soon as possible.

Jasha closed the bedroom door with a soft click and found Frankie waiting in the hallway, with Arlo nowhere to be seen.

“Hey, did you sleep in Kaleb’s room?” Frankie asked.

“Yes, he’s going to be my Daddy Kaleb for the month, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Overwhelmed with excitement, Frankie couldn’t contain himself and pulled Jasha into a warm hug. “That’s the best news. I’m so happy for you.”

“How’s everything going with Arlo?”

“He met Kaleb to plan the day for us. Are you on the way to breakfast?” Frankie asked.

“Yes.”

“Have you been to Kaleb’s New York apartment?”

“No. Only here.”

“You won’t believe how close it is to school. Daddy Arlo has an apartment in the same building so we can see each other during the year.”

“There are some things we have to iron out first.”

“Yes, but you have a wonderful daddy. He’ll do anything to make you happy. Anything. Just ask.”

“I don’t think I’m in a place to ask for anything.”

“Daddy Arlo said Kaleb is really into you like no other boy before. I agree. You’re perfect.”

“I hope so. We took a shower together.”

“We could hear you.” Frankie laughed.

“No, you couldn’t.”

“Our room is against the bathroom. Don’t worry. I was laughing my head off.”

Jasha laughed at the way Frankie said it. He took any stress or worry out of things. Having him around was like having a loyal companion by your side. The news of his father leaving the country without telling him weighed heavily on him, making him feel sick. He couldn’t bring up the topic with Frankie, since he didn’t have Daddy Kaleb’s permission to discuss his father or why he was here. He doubted Frankie was aware of what was going on unless Daddy Kaleb had told Arlo. Then Frankie’s Daddy Arlo would have to inform him. Although Jasha was unsure about how the three communicated, Miss Nadia confidently said she was well-informed about the situation. He longed for a moment alone with her to discuss it, but Daddy Kaleb was a constant presence.

As they entered the dining room, Jasha quickly found his seat next to Daddy Kaleb, who greeted him with a warm smile . Jasha leaned in to whisper. “Daddy Kaleb, can we talk alone about something after breakfast?”

“Of course we can. We’re going to leave at noon so we can stop for lunch. We have plenty of time to talk. Are you upset?”

“I can’t talk about it here. It has nothing to do with us.” Jasha couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with Daddy Kaleb, but now was not the time or place to discuss the problem.

Everyone had a big country breakfast, but Jasha only had toast because his stomach was unsettled over his father. Why would he leave and abandon him without explaining it to him? Despite Daddy Kaleb noticing he wasn’t eating much, he didn’t say a word about it at the table while others were present, which eased the tension for Jasha. Near the end of the meal, Daddy Kaleb took his hand as they left. He led Jasha to another room full of pastel colors and comfortable furniture.

They sat side by side. “Tell me what’s wrong?”

“You’re going to be pissed at me. I broke a rule.”

“I see. Is that why you only ate a little?”

“The rule was impossible not to break. It was an unfair rule.”

“What rule did you break?” With a stern expression, Daddy Kaleb turned on his serious voice, sending a chilly sensation down his spine.

“I called my father on my new phone, then I called a neighbor,” Jasha nearly whispered.

“Did you tell your father or neighbor where you were?”

“No.”

Daddy Kaleb closed his eyes for a moment, as if he were thinking.

“I’m really disappointed you broke a rule already. There are consequences to breaking rules. I won’t take your phone, but there will be another punishment.”

“If it helps any, I’m not sorry for breaking that crazy rule.”

“You just raised the level of punishment by saying you’re not sorry and for calling my rule crazy.”

“That’s just one part of my problem.”

“Did you break another rule?”

“My father is gone!”

“What do you mean, he’s gone?”

“His phone was disconnected. Even his email was, so I called the neighbor, and he said my father moved out.”

“Moved where?”

“I have no idea where he went. I can’t contact him. Do you have anything to do with it?”

“No. I knew about it, but I chose not to tell you yet.”

“You knew? How could you not tell me? Why did he leave?”

“First of all, let me explain why I told you not to call your father or anyone you know. I have enemies you inherited by being with me. You are under my protection and are at least temporarily my boy. So, our relationship has some complications here and there.”

“We’re talking about my father. Did you hurt him or make him leave?”

“No, Jasha. I’m actually working on trying to find him which is why I didn’t tell you.”

“Why?”

“I told you if you became my boy, I would make some changes. But your father disappeared into the unknown. Listen closely, I had nothing to do with your father leaving. Trust goes both ways.”

“You might have done nothing, but he left because you took me away from him.”

“You don’t know why he left, nor do I. I’ll do everything in my power to locate him for you.”

“What good is that if I can’t call him?”

“Things could change.”

“If you say so.”

“I expect you to follow my rules, so let’s get back to your punishment. You can pick which one out of two. Either I’m going to spank you ten times over my knee, or you can spend the entire day locked in your room without your phone. Your choice.”